Norton Thanks NPS for Its Quick Action on New Website on D.C. Parks Services

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today thanked National Park Service (NPS) National Capital Region Director Robert Vogel for his action, in response to Norton’s June 10 letter to NPS, in creating an online portal to provide District of Columbia residents with regularly updated information on neighborhood parks owned and operated by NPS in the District. Director Vogel wrote Norton that NPS has now created a comprehensive D.C. parks website (www.nps.gov/dcparks) that lists Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on issues such as lawn mowing, parking, and snow removal, as well as contact information for staff responsible for the parks in order for residents to get new services. Norton wrote her letter to NPS after residents reached out to her office saying they had struggled to connect directly with NPS staff on maintenance requests or to find contact information for their park’s superintendent. Norton said residents can go to the website to access an interactive map, click on their neighborhood park, and find specific contact information for the superintendent responsible for their park. Norton said she was very pleased NPS will constantly update and refine the website based on feedback from residents. Norton has already asked for NPS to add FAQ sections on “trash pickup” and “pest control.”

“I am delighted that NPS has responded so quickly to our office’s request to create a comprehensive website to provide residents with the information they need on services for and personnel responsible to their neighborhood parks,” Norton said. “D.C. residents and I appreciate our unique relationship with NPS, which maintains our parks despite congressional underfunding of NPS. My office will continue working with NPS to ensure the concerns and needs of our residents are met.”