Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

ENROLLED ORIGINAL

                                A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION

                                              25-235

                    IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

                                           June 11, 2024

To recognize and honor the many contributions of Oxon Run Park to the health and wellness of

       of District residents and visitors, and to declare August 17, 2024, as Oxon Run Day.

      WHEREAS, the federal government transferred Oxon Run Park to the District in 1971 to

improve the health and wellness of all District residents;

        WHEREAS, Oxon Run Park is located in Ward 8 and is the largest park in the

Department of Park and Recreation’s inventory, with a 3-mile, 128-acre circumference, and one

of the largest collections of Legacy Cherry Blossom Trees outside of the Tidal Basin;

        WHEREAS, Oxon Run Park has served a critical role in meeting the educational and

recreational needs of residents and visitors since 1942 and supports basketball, baseball, tennis,

yoga, swimming, and hiking activities, as well as bike paths and walking trails;

        WHEREAS, Oxon Run Park is the site of the James E. Bunn amphitheater, named after

the Ward 8 businessman and civil leader, and the site of 4000 square feet of playground space for

the safe enjoyment of District youth and visitors;

         WHEREAS, Oxon Run Park is the site of the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, a

state of the art tennis facility that hosts more than 20 official US Tennis Association events each

year and has served more than 10,000 District youth by providing tennis instruction, tutoring, life

skills instruction, chess instruction, and the use of a computer center and library since its opening

in 2001;

      WHEREAS, Oxon Run Park has partnered with the District Department of Energy and

The Environment to establish a community renewable energy facility that produces 2.65

megawatts of clean solar energy and delivers energy to 750 nearby households;

        WHEREAS, as a result of persistent concerns regarding the nutritional choices available

in East of the River Communities, the Well at Oxon Run was established; a one acre, 20,000

square foot of land which provides fruits and vegetables to the Ward 8 community and the

District at large, and supports collective learning and education on urban farming practices and

the eradication of food deserts;

                                                 1

                                                                        ENROLLED ORIGINAL

       WHEREAS, the Department of Parks and Recreation began an agreement with residents

concerned with the future development of the park and its mission, and formed the Friends of

Oxon Run Coalition in 2017 to help improve the overall maintenance and programming

available at the park;

       WHEREAS, Friends of Oxon Run have entered significant partnerships to improve the

Park including the University of the District of Columbia, the Department of Energy and the

Environment, the Alice Ferguson Foundation, Eagle Academy Public Charter School, the

Washington Area Bicyclist Association, the DC Audubon Society, and many more;

        WHEREAS, the continued improvement and progressive use of Oxon Run Park is of

great benefit to the overall health, wellness, and enjoyment of District residents and visitors;

        RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this

resolution may be cited as the “Oxon Run Park Day Recognition Resolution of 2024”.

        Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes and honors the invaluable

contributions of Oxon Run Park to the health, safety, and sustainability of the District and

visitors and declares August 17, 2024, as Oxon Run Park Day.

       Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.

                                                 2