Update on the City's Restoration of Volta Park's Field

Background

For several years, the Friends of Volta Park has been advocating diligently to secure funding in the City's budget for and gain a commitment from the Mayor and City Council to restore Volta Park's field.

In 2022, we were pleased to learn that the Mayor committed and City Council approved $700,000 to make the needed repairs to the field and drainage system. Ever since, our community has eagerly awaited word on when work would begin.

In November 2023, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) held the final meeting for the community to see the revised baseball renovation plan, hear about the scope of work, and review the project timeline. The city’s presentation and a link to the video can be found here.

For more information about the project, please visit the project website at https://dgs.dc.gov/page/volta-park-baseball-field-restoration.

Should you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to call DPR Customer Care Center during normal business hours at (202) 673-7647 or send an email to dprcustomercare@dc.gov.

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We know you have questions, as do we, and have included below a Q&A with the information that is available.

What is the Friends of Volta Park’s role in the renovation of the field?

The renovation of Volta Park’s field is a D.C. government project. The Friends of Volta Park’s role has been in advocating with the City to address the failed drainage system that has caused extensive runoff and pooling of water, large areas without grass, and safety issues on the baseball diamond.

With funding now secured, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and the Department of General Services (DGS) are the agencies leading the project.

Is the Friends of Volta Park partnering with the City on the project?

The renovation project is solely a City project. The Friends of Volta Park only receives information on the project along with the public. The primary source for information on the project is on the DPR website under the project name, Volta Park: Baseball Field Restoration.

Is the Friends of Volta Park taking a position on the specifics of the City’s project?

The mission of the Friends of Volta Park is to partner with the D.C. government on the general landscape maintenance of the park’s grounds and gardens, and to foster a place for the community to enjoy by providing opportunities for the neighborhood to gather.

While individual members of the board are making their position on the project known to the government through the appropriate channels of public comment, they are doing so as private citizens, not in their capacity as members of the board of directors of the Friends of Volta Park, which is not an advocacy organization.

How can I provide input on the project?

The D.C. government has said it is committed to working with the community as it advances the project. Input can be provided to DPR directly through Christopher Dyer.

DPR and DGS also need to apply for a variety of permits. As it proceeds through the permit process at the Department of Buildings (DOB), the first stage is with the Historic Preservation Office (HPO), which is requiring an archaeological study that is currently underway. Further requirements from DOB will require submission of project specifics to the Old Georgetown Board (OGB), Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) and National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC). We understand that the community can provide input to those agencies throughout the permitting process as well.

Where can I find project updates?

Please visit the City’s project website for complete information about this project.