Volta Park Baseball Diamond Gets Official Reconstruction Overview
By • March 6, 2023 0 1133
Volta Park neighbors, park users and youth baseball fans got an official nod on March 1 from D.C.’s Department of Parks and Recreation to their long-pursued dreams and initiatives to reconstruct and improve the baseball diamond long used by youth teams and families at the southwest corner of Volta Park at 34th Street and Volta Place NW.
The reconstruction phases for the diamond — and perhaps a few small bleachers as well as water fountains — are being scheduled and could be begun in the fall.
Taking questions and walking about the park, D.C. Parks and Recreation construction oversight officials met with approximately 50 residents and members of the Friends of Volta Park Association who are concerned about the condition of the green space.
“Some of the bigger challenges such as drainage of the diamond’s sloping back field have been resolved,” said project manager Peter Nohrden. “Extensive ‘French drains’ — basically trenches filled with gravel that can drain excess rain and irrigation water off the diamond’s field through a channel — will be built to prevent dangerous top soil and grass erosion and pitting.”
Nohrden added: “A permanent outfield fence about four feet tall will be built along the north end of the playing area separating park recreation and dog exercise areas from the youth baseball playing field. The type and style of fencing will be determined from community input.”
“The $700,000 budget is dedicated exclusively to permanent improvements to the baseball diamond, not other park enhancements,” said DPR Community Engagement Manager Christopher Dyer. “The diamond is only for youth softball and baseball youth groups and not for any adult team practices or games.”
Questions about park usage by dog owners were inevitable from many of the residents at the meeting with dogs of all sizes and breeds sitting patiently at the end of their leashes as their owners sat on the old baseball team benches.
“Building a formal dog park is complicated and expensive and not included in this project,” Nohrden said. “Look, I’m not blind. I see people take their dogs off leash when they are at Volta Park, and there will be no law enforcement squads here to do anything about that. We expect people to be reasonable.” As he spoke, there were, in fact, several dogs off leash nearby.
For more information, as well as questions and suggestions about Volta Park, contact Community Engagement Manager Christopher Dyer — 202-702-9453 or Christopher.dyer@dc.gov.
