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Oliver Stoute and Anniyah Brown of the Ward 5 Council Office Constituent Services Team connect with neighbors during Office Hours at Taft/Dwight Mosley Field on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The work happening inside the Wilson building each day is important, but I know what often matters most is what's happening in your own neighborhood—at your parks, schools, and recreation centers.

That's why over the past few years, I've prioritized getting long overdue projects moving and kicking off new ones. Just two years ago, the Ft. Lincoln Campus Improvement Project was stalled due to insufficient funding. I was proud to get it fully funded, break ground on construction, and now the project is planning a topping out celebration on June 5. For more than a decade, neighbors rallied and advocated for the preservation of the Crummell School in Ivy City with a vision of it becoming a vibrant community center and park. Again, I worked to get the project fully funded, and construction is now underway. This summer, construction will start on two new parks I secured funding for in Riggs Park at South Dakota Ave and Riggs Rd NE and another in Carver-Langston at 19th and L St NE. This is in addition to resurfacing at the Turkey Thicket Splash Park and Playground in Brookland, renovations at Taft/Dwight-Mosley Field in Woodridge, and cutting the ribbon at the brand new Reservoir Park Recreation Center in Stronghold/Bloomingdale. 

This week in the Committee on Facilities budget markup, I continued this work by advancing targeted investments for three additional projects in Ward 5. The first was an addition of $14 million for the Langdon Park Recreation Center modernization, along with legislative language in the Budget Support Act that will prevent DPR from moving forward on the project until it meets the community's current asks around expanding access to recreation and maintaining current aspects of the park's unique character. Currently, DPR's proposal misses the mark by placing city-wide needs above local needs, and if we are going to make a once-in-a-generation investment in this modernization, we need to get it right. We also used the same kind of legislative language for the Harry Thomas Recreation Center modernization in Eckington, ensuring that DPR responds to the community's asks in their design proposal. Finally, we secured $1 million to put the New York Ave Recreation Center in Truxton Circle on the map for future modernization. 

There's more work to do to ensure these provisions stay in the budget as things move to the full Council in June. I also know that there are more investments to secure in future years at key facilities across Ward 5—from Trinidad to North Michigan Park and beyond. Check out the video below as we celebrate our progress and keep fighting for the investments Ward 5 neighborhoods deserve. 

public safety updates; a reminder to sign up to join a clean-up near you on May 30 for our Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning; a Safe Routes to School survey; Notices of Intent modifying traffic/parking requirements in Ward 5; the next Ward 5 Updates Meeting with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) on June 4; a reminder to provide feedback on the draft Future Land Use Map (now until June 7); ANC and civic association meeting recaps; legislative updates in Neferteria's Nook; updates from the Committee on Youth Affairs including the committee's budget markup recap; programs to benefit from featuring youth internship and employment opportunities; and community events including Riggs Park Day on May 30.

Councilmember Parker meets with public charter school leaders and parents to discuss the need to close gaps in charter school funding in the FY27 budget.

Last weekend was full! My team and I stopped by the well-attended Bloomingdale Community Day in Crispus Attucks Park and enjoyed the beautiful weather and chatting with neighbors. Later on Saturday, I had the honor of doing the coin toss at DC United's United Night Out. The game was a blast. Vamos United!

On Sunday, I enjoyed checking out the Brookland Home and Garden Tour, the Brooklandiest event of the year. It was great chatting with so many neighbors and visiting some of Brookland's historic homes and beautiful gardens.

On Monday, I stopped by the Committee on Facilities budget markup to thank the committee for advancing critical priorities requested by my office. Thank you to Chairwoman Janeese Lewis George for her partnership in delivering for several Ward 5 capital projects. 

Also on Monday, my team joined a meeting with representatives from SOME, Commander Connors of MPD’s Third District, Commissioner Gardiner (5E01), and residents living along O St NW to discuss ongoing concerns related to activity in the neighborhood involving individuals receiving services from SOME. The meeting focused on identifying coordinated solutions to help address residents’ quality of life concerns while also balancing the needs of vulnerable community members. Discussions included public safety coordination, trash management strategies, noise concerns, and strengthening communication and community engagement efforts between SOME and neighborhood residents.

On Wednesday, budget markups continued with a markup in my committee—the Committee on Youth Affairs—and in the Commitee on Health. In both, we worked to restore funding for critical services including Family Success Centers, food access, and more. Thank you to Committee on Health Chairwoman Christina Henderson for her and her team's coordination with my office on shared priorities. You can find detailed recaps in the Neferteria's Nook and Committee on Youth Affairs sections of the newsletter below. 

Yesterday, while my team was holding constituent services office hours at Taft/Dwight-Mosley Field, I was attending the Committee on Human Services budget markup. We advanced important funding priorities including transitional housing and expanding TANF. I was also proud to secure dedicated retail grants for the Rhode Island Ave NE, 12th St NE, and Monroe St NE retail zones. I am grateful for Committee on Human Services Chairman Matt Frumin for his work advancing these and other funding priorities. You can read more in the Neferteria's Nook section of the newsletter below. 

Last night, I hosted my fourth annual Black Pride Celebration, kicking off Black Pride weekend and recognizing remarkable Black LGBTQ+ leaders in our community. It was a privilege to celebrate this year's honorees and continue the decades-old tradition of Black Pride. We also took a moment o remember SaVanna Wanzer, one of last year's honorees and the founder of TransPride who sadly passed in April this year. The evening was a reminder of why it is so important to give people their flowers while they are with us. Please join me in congratulating this year's honorees: 

• Arlen Herrell, Public Servant and Entrepreneur
• Charity Blackwell, Spoken Word Artist, Cultural Curator
• Lonnie Bee, Entertainer, Dancer, Producer
• Kimberley Bush, Director, DC LGBTQ+ Center
• Kenya Hutton, Social Justice and Sexual Health Advocate
• Justin Stewart, Multimedia Journalist, Producer
• Grimaldi-Francesca Sanchez, Community Health Professional, Prevention Advocate
• Philip Pannell, Community Organizer and Leader

Today, budget markups continued in the Commitees on the Judiciary and Public Safety, Transportation and the Environment, and of the Whole. As we move from our budget work session next week, I look forward to sharing more about the important wins we're advancing for Ward 5 and the city. 

ICYMI:

MPD 4D Commander Promoted

The Commander for MPD's Fourth District, Nikki Lavenhouse, was recently promoted to Assistant Chief, Patrol Services South. I want to thank Assistant Chief Lavenhouse for her service to Ward 5 during her tenure as the 4D Commander (covering Fort Totten, Riggs Park, Queens Chapel, and North Michigan Park) and wish her all the best in her future endeavors. The new Fourth District Commander is David Hong. My office looks forward to working with Commander Hong to promote safety for Ward 5 residents. We have invited Commander Hong to participate in the next Ward 5 Public Safety Call; stay tuned.

Crime Stats

You can find the latest crime statistics using MPD's Crime Cards here. Toggle the variables at the top of the page to zoom in on your own neighborhood. Don't see a public safety incident covered in this newsletter that you have questions about? Please always feel free to reach out to my office directly anytime by phone (202-724-8028) or email (ward5contact@dccouncil.gov).

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is required to give written notice of their intent to modify traffic and/or parking requirements to the Council and affected Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners (ANCs) to allow for a public comment period on the modifications. The following Notices of Intent (NOIs) for Ward 5 are open for comment:

• Closes for comment on May 26: Centerline Hardening at Bladensburg Road NE between Benning Road and Neal Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-69-MSED)
   
• Closes for comment on May 28: Bicycle Facility Treatments, Pedestrian Facility Treatments, School Zone Treatments, Vehicular Routing Changes, Parking Changes at 4th Street NE, Edgewood Street NE, and Douglas Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-68-MSED)
   
• Closes for comment on June 8: Installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB), Installation of New Crosswalk and ADA Ramps at 1st Place NE and Galloway Street NE - Read and comment here (NOI-26-125-MSED)

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will host two public forums for DC residents to learn more about the development of the fiscal years 2026-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) and to comment on the project listings. The DC STIP is a federally required multi-year listing of all upcoming projects that will be funded with federal dollars. The most recent update to the DC STIP was completed in March 2023 and includes programming for fiscal years 2023-2026. It is continuously revised to reflect the District’s evolving needs. DDOT will release the draft 2026 – 2029 STIP for formal public review on May 15. The below meetings will be an opportunity to learn more about the development of the program and ask questions. The public comment period will close on Monday, June 22. To learn more about the project, please click here.

• May 28 - In-person forum
  • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • DDOT Headquarters (250 M St SE)
• June 4 - Virtual forum
  • 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
  • Click here

Clean-up locations and times are now available for our Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning on May 30! Pick a clean-up site near you, and register to participate at ward5.us/springclean. We're joining neighbors all across Ward 5, from Arboretum to Stronghold, to keep our communities clean and beautiful. We also look forward to connecting with neighbors at Riggs Park Day later that afternoon. Come say hello!

On June 4 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom, join this virtual meeting to engage with the Department of Parks Recreation (DPR) and gain insight into construction projects coming to Ward 5 and ask questions. Register here.

Phelps Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) High School has limited seats available in 9th and 10th grade for the 2026-2027 school year. Take advantage of this access to a great education with opportunities in electrical, carpentry, nursing, JROTC, and more. Apply now at myschooldc.org, or call 202-729-4360, email mia.langshaw@k12.dc.gov.

This week, my team attended the Bloomingdale Civic Association, Gateway Civic Association, ANC 5E, Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association, and ANC 5B meetings. Here's a brief recap:

• Bloomingdale Civic Association (May 18 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team joined the association’s monthly meeting, where the scholarship committee provided updates and BCA voted to accept the committee’s recommendation for two student scholarship recipients. The scholarship awardees and their parents will be joining the assocation's next monthly meeting. Updates were also provided on the McMillan Scholarship Committee, and neighbors were informed that scholarship applications are now live and were encouraged to help spread the word. Shane Dettman also joined the meeting and gave a presentation on alternatives for the McMillan medical office building. 
    
    
• Gateway Civic Association (May 18 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team shared updates about the Healthy Communities Spring Cleanup on May 30. The closest site to the Gateway neighborhood is in Arboretum. We informed neighbors about the budget markups and some of the wins for Ward 5 from Monday’s Committee on Facilities markup. Lastly, we informed neighbors about the Bladensburg Bus Garage Reconstruction Project Community Meeting on May 21. Commissioner Nelson gave an update on Power Nightclub. The club surrendered its liquor license and is now converting the club into a cannabis dispensary. Neighbors are actively protesting this change.   
    
    
• ANC 5E (May 19 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team joined ANC 5E's monthly meeting, where Commissioner Kirby provided an update on the McMillan Scholarship Committee, and neighbors were informed that scholarship applications are now live and were encouraged to help spread the word. Additionally, Kyrus Freeman from Holland & Knight provided an update and answered questions regarding 1600 North Capitol St NW, its zoning case (ZC Case No. 25-15), and the potential of temporary activation of the site.
    
    
• Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association (May 19 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team shared updates on the Council's budget process, including exciting news about new retail grants being directed to the 12th St NE corridor based off of the association's "Say 'Yes' to 12th St" report. We also invited neighbors to join us at the Brookland locations for the Healthy Communities Spring Cleaning event on May 30. Neighbors asked questions about ranked choice voting, neighborhood zoning concerns, delays in area developments, and what we can do to support small and local businesses. A representative from the Friends of the Woodridge Library gave a presentation about the organization's relationship with DC Public Library and the Library Federation. Members voted in favor to slightly increase the cost of association membership dues. 
    
    
• ANC 5B (May 20 at 7:00 p.m.):
  • My team joined ANC 5B's monthly meeting, where Sgt. Kassar of MPD's Fifth District gave a crime report and answered questions from neighbors. Andrew Gallegos of Cultivating Community gave a presentation to neighbors regarding his proposal of an Urban Farm at the Michigan Ave NE and Bunker Hill Rd NE underpass, where the farm will teach neighbors how to organically grow food and donate the majority of those harvests to the food insecure of the greater DC area. Additionally, Laura Gonzalez gave a short presentation on the Office of Human Rights' Language Access program. 

Meetings my team will attend next week: 

• Wednesday, May 27
  • 6:45 p.m.
    • ANC 5A
      
      

You can always view the schedule of upcoming ANC and civic association meetings that my team will attend on my website here. Not sure which ANC is yours? Use this tool to look it up. We're here to help, so email us anytime with questions - ward5contact@dccouncil.gov. Have a need, or want to share important information for ANC and civic association meetings? Get in touch with one of our Constituent Services team members:

• 5B & 5E: Oliver Stoute, ostoute@dccouncil.gov
• 5A, 5C, & 5D: Andrianna Lovelace, alovelace@dccouncil.gov
• 5F: Anniyah Brown, abrown@dccouncil.gov

Neferteria Brown is Councilmember Parker's Legislative Director. In this section of the newsletter, she gives updates on the Council's legislative meetings, committee hearings, and information about the legislative process. Have questions? You can reach Neferteria at nbrown@dccouncil.gov.

On Tuesday, May 19, the Council held a Committee of the Whole Meeting. The meeting was short with an agenda that included park designations and confirmations for appointees to the District of Columbia Corrections Information Council Governing Board. All measures passed unanimously for consideration at the next Legislative Meeting on June 2. The most notable bill considered was the following:

• Harmony Park Designation Act of 2026
  • This bill symbolically designates the triangle park between New Jersey Avenue NW and Rhode Island Avenue NW as “Harmony Park.” This park sits in Ward 1, but on the border of Ward 2 and Ward 5. The proposed name “Harmony Park” was chosen in honor of the Columbian Harmony Society and the Columbian Harmonean Cemetery, which is located one block from the park. The Columbian Harmony Society was a mutual aid society founded in 1825 to support African Americans in the District through hardships and to create a community. In 1828, the Society established the Harmonean Cemetery in the Shaw neighborhood as a burial place for African Americans in the District. The Cemetery was later relocated to National Harmony Memorial Park in Maryland. Today, the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metro station and complexes sit on the former site of the Harmonean Cemetery, where 37,000 Washingtonians had originally been laid to rest. To learn more about the history of this Cemetery, please click here.

Budget Mark-Ups

Committee on Health

On Wednesday, May 20, Councilmember Parker attended the Committee on Health's budget markup. Chairwoman of the Committee, Councilmember Henderson, reviewed a number of key changes made by the Committee, which included:

• Restoring medical services for Alliance beneficiaries and maintaining eligibility levels at 138% FPL, which was the Fiscal Year 2026 level
• Pausing changes to the Department of Behavioral Health's School-Based Behavioral Health Program
• Restoration of funding for community-based crisis stabilization beds, which includes SOME's Jordan House in Ward 5
• Renovation and expansion of Food and Friends in Ward 5, which provides medically tailored meals to neighbors living with serious illnesses
• Implementation of a bill introduced by Councilmember Parker, the Food Policy Council Procurement Amendment Act of 2025, which would expand the authority of the Food Policy Council to evaluate food procurement practices across the District. This was supported by funds from the Councilmember's Committee on Youth Affairs.
• A revised version of Councilmember Parker's Care For Animals Amendment Act of 2025, which was added to the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026 and is titled "Commercial Pet Facilities and Pet Food Registration." The revised version ensures that a portion of dog license fees goes to the Animal Health and Education Fund and that DC Health has the ability to regulate commercial pet facilities, but does not address the pet food registration fee.      

Councilmember Parker asked key questions around the plan to place more nurses in our schools, the path forward for the School-Based Behavioral Health Program, the future of the ChAMPS program, and how the Committee will address the removed portion of the Care for Animals bill that pertains to the pet food registration fee. To view this markup, please click here. You can also view a copy of the Committee on Health's Report by clicking here and clicking on "Dais Print" under Other Documents. 

Committee on Human Services

On Thursday, May 21, Councilmember Parker attended the Committee on Human Services' budget markup. Chairman of the Committee, Councilmember Frumin, spoke to the challenges his Committee faced and the changes they made, which included: 

• Restoring funding for extended transitional housing for homeless youth, which includes programs like the Wanda Alston Foundation and SMYAL 
• Retaining funding for the Truancy Reduction Pilot Program
• Restoring funding for domestic violence grants
• Taking steps to make TANF more expansive by extending TANF benefits to single people in their second trimester of pregnancy, giving individuals in POWER access to TANF supportive services, and limiting the amount of child support payments that can be withheld from families receiving TANF benefits
• Investing in retail grant programs for the Rhode Island Ave NE, corridor and for the 12th St and Monroe St NE retail zones

Councilmember Parker inquired about plans to evaluate the progress of the Truancy Pilot Program and its possible expansion, and when new bridge housing will become available for residents in need. To view this markup, please click here. You can also view a copy of the Committee on Health's Report by clicking here and clicking on "2026-05-20 CHS Budget Report" under Other Documents.

Committee Mark-Ups are now complete. Next week, the Council will enter a Budget Work Session to further discuss changes made across Committees to the Mayor's proposed budget. You can register to watch this session on Wednesday, May 27, by clicking here.

On Tuesday, June 9, the Council will have its first vote on the budget, specifically the Fiscal Year 2027 Local Budget Act of 2026 and the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Support Act of 2026. The Council is also in the process of scheduling dates for public hearings on legislation during the month of June.

You can always access the full Council calendar by clicking here.

Registration for DPR Summer Programs opened this week! Browse programs and register here!

DPR is now hiring for hundreds of positions to support summer programming in a wide array of roles, and the team is looking for talented, community-minded applicants to help make 2026 the best summer yet. Residents are encouraged to visit EarnWithDPR.com to search for jobs and view job descriptions and pay rates. Summer job opportunities with DPR include working at DPR pools, summer camps, support services, human services, park rangers, and more. 

The DC Office of Human Rights invites all DC high school students to apply for the Youth Human Rights Ambassador Program to learn about the laws and rights shaping the lives of youth. Applications are due by June 1, 2026. Learn more about the program and apply here.

The High School Internship Program provides work-readiness skills, project-based learning, life skills, leadership development training, and work opportunities for District high school students (grades 9-12), ages 14—21. The goal of the program is to help prepare District youth to successfully transition from high school into postsecondary education, advanced training, unsubsidized employment, or a career in the military. 

• For the youth application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.
• For the host application for the 2026 - 2027 HSIP Program click here.

Learn more about the program and apply by August 1, 2026 here.

Lamond-Riggs:
Riggs Park Day
May 30 - 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
@ Riggs-LaSalle Community Center (501 Riggs Rd NE)
Join neighbors for a Riggs Park celebration featuring food, music, activities, community resources, and more!

Langdon:
Forest Patch Invasive Removals
June 6 - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
@ Langdon Park Forest Patch (2901 20th St NE)
Join DOEE, Casey Trees, Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and the Langdon Park Forest Stewards for several weekends of invasive removals to keep the forest patch healthy and thriving.

Brookland:
Great Brookland Yard Sale

June 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ All Across the Greater Brookland Area
Join my office as we stop by locations throughout Brookland and beyond for the Greater Brookland Yard Sale on June 6. Want to sign up to have your location on the map and sell your wares? Sign up by May 31 here.

Carver-Langston:
Health & Resource Fair

June 6 - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
@ 1500 Maryland Ave NE
Join area ANCs, District agencies, and community organizations at this health and resource fair featuring free health screenings and wellness info, food, giveaways and raffles, activities for all ages, and more.

Lamond-Riggs:
Main Street Jazz Series

June 25 - 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
@ Lamond-Riggs/Lillian J. Huff Library (5401 South Dakota Ave NE)
Join District agencies and The Parks Main Street for a jazz series presented by the Greater Washington Urban League at the library! Free and open to the public.

• 2026 DC Black Pride Celebration Hosted by CM Parker (NBC 4)
  
  
• Parents of Teens Who Break Curfew in DC Will be Prosecuted, DOJ Says (WaPo - free to read using your DC Public Library card)
  
  
• Lewis Ferebee, DC's Longest-Serving Schools Chancellor, to Step Down (NBC 4)
  
  
• Georgetown to RFK on a New Gold Line? (UrbanTurf)
  
  
• Trump's Policies are Unevenly Impacting Employment in the DC Area, Study Shows (WTOP)
  
  
• Homicides are Down in DC, but Domestic Killings Have Increased The 51st)
  
  
• Memorial Day Parade Brings Long List of Road Closures to DC (WTOP)

The highlight of my week was last night's Black Pride Celebration. I hold this event each year to honor the remarkable Black LGBTQ+ leaders of DC and reaffirm my commitment to fighting for policies that protect and uplift our community. Congratulations again to this year's honorees!

As always, I invite you to use this form to provide feedback on how we're doing. We'd love to hear from you anytime. 

Yours in service and community, 

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