EYA, in coordination with the local Advisory Neighborhood Commissioners and the Executive Office of the Mayor, opened the newly established playground on the 12th Street side of the Saint Joseph’s Seminary. The Sunday morning event attracted many new residents and children with the benefit of pleasant summer weather. The playground is a greatly welcomed amenity to the neighborhood which in recent years has experienced a significant growth of young families as residents. Hosting the event was EYA Evan Goldman. Other speakers were Deputy Mayor John Falcicchio, ANC503 Emily Lucio, and ANC 5B05 Colleen Costello.
The playground is part of the EYA development of the land to the rear of the Saint Joseph Seminary to accommodate new residents and includes residences for families with below average incomes for the District of Columbia.
Evan Goldman, EYA Executive Vice President of Development and Acquisitions, spoke about the efforts to make available affordable housing within the EYA development and led the ribbon cutting ceremony. Evan first approached the community seven years ago about the proposed development.
In recent years, the Saint Joseph Seminary also partnered with Casey Trees to plant trees in the front of the property along Varnum Street. The land in the front and on the two sides of the Seminary building will remain undeveloped.
Emily Lucio, ANC503 representative, noted the long effort involved to bring the playground plans to fruition.