Francis A. Gregory Library (Image credit: DC Library)

You are now located at Francis A. Gregory Library, just south on Alabama Avenue from Pennsylvania Ave.

From parks to libraries, there are many places for families to discover new activities and tap into community resources. We begin by featuring the Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library. Did you know that the library was named after a local resident and renovated under the leadership of another local resident who both were public servants? Originally built in 1961, the library was re-opened on June 19, 2012 with Ward 7 resident and former D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray.  Located in the Fort Davis residential neighborhood, the Gregory Library was developed after the Anacostia Branch’s construction was completed. Today the library features computers, free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms for groups and online activities for connecting from home.

Additional family outings might include: 

  • Anacostia Riverwalk Trail has amazing views of the Anacostia River where residents and families can bike, walk and jog. There is also a skating rink, hand dancing, and great spaces for playing sports and taking a walk along the river. The trail can also help connect to adjoining parks, such as Kingman Island.
  • Fort Davis Recreation Center provides community spaces for events and classes and features a kitchen, gymnasium and indoor basketball court, multipurpose room, and has an outdoor basketball court, playground, and tennis courts.  
  • Fort Dupont Park provides ice skating opportunities to District youth. Programming includes figure skating, ice hockey, and speed skating. The Ice Arena is slated for a full redesign with construction beginning in Summer 2021. The construction will include a new ice skating arena.

Families and residents can get involved in local groups such as the Ward 7 Education Council to contribute ideas to improve the quality of education in the Ward. The Council is on Twitter and Facebook. 

Have an idea? If you have a suggestion for family and activity resources that we should list here, please use our suggestion form to add your ideas, and optionally to be contacted when we meet to revise this page content.

ADDITIONAL READINGS:

District of Columbia. Mayor Bowser Kicks Off #BacktoSummer by Opening 2021 Outdoor Pool Season at Renovated Woody Ward Recreation Center, by DC Government on May 28, 2021.

Washington Informer. New Chair, Board Members Tapped for Fort Dupont Ice Arena by James Wright on July 7, 2021.

D.C. Library.  Francis A. Gregory Library, by D.C. Library Editor.

DCist. Facing Limited Virtual Options, Some D.C. Parents Are Torn About Sending Their Children To School by Debbie Truong on August 25, 2021.

Washington Post. ‘Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!’ Michelle Obama surprises D.C. elementary school with big gifts, Perry Stein on December 11, 2019.

DC Line. A glimmer of hope for the once-iconic Fort Dupont concert series by Steven Kiviat on August 30, 2018.