Peace Gardens Built to Combat Gun Violence Reopen in SW DC with Spring Celebration
Gardens reopen with support from SW Resident Council Presidents, Southwest BID, GOOGProjects, DCHA, DPR and local residents.
Washington, DC— In celebration of the reopening of the Peace Gardens for the season, the SW Resident Council Presidents, Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID), GOODProjects, DCHA, and DPR are hosting Southwest Garden Fest, a community event with food, music, guided meditations, painting of the garden beds and little free libraries, community input for additional public art installations, and much more, on April 22nd. Free and open to the public, SW Garden Fest is DC’s opportunity to see safe community spaces thrive.
The Southwest Peace Gardens transform centrally located community spaces into flower and herb gardens with art and enhanced public amenities. These gardens were created with the intention of preventing gun violence in our community, thanks to the Building Blocks DC (BBDC) grant program, an innovative community-based approach to curbing violence throughout the District of Columbia by directing resources and services to the people most at risk of committing violence and the places most prone to violent occurrences.
The Peace Gardens include flowers and herbs, hardscape elements, public art, and seating for the community to enjoy. Work began in September 2021 to build out these community spaces and involve local residents in the planting and maintaining hundreds of plants. Locations include the Southwest Family Enhancement Center at Greenleaf Gardens, the James Creek Resident Council building, and the Syphax Garden housing complex on 2nd St. SW.
More information on the community event is available on SWBID’s webpage. Neighbors can get involved with beautification efforts, garden maintenance, and special events by contacting Jasmine Campbell at jcampbell@GOODProjects.org.
About SWBID
The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) is a 501(c)(6) corporation that was established in December of 2014. The SWBID spans 483 acres south of the National Mall, including the SW Federal Center, the District Wharf, and the Southwest Waterfront neighborhood. The work of the SWBID is to make this community more connected, the neighborhood more beautiful, and have more opportunities for people and businesses to thrive in a commonplace.
About GOODProjects
Since 2016, GOODProjects has helped families in Southwest D.C. live fulfilling lives free from poverty and violence while promoting health and wellness within the same communities. With the goal of lifting 500 families out of poverty by 2030, GOODProjects has measurably improved overall financial and health outcomes in low-income “Opportunity Zone” neighborhoods by eliminating common roadblocks so families can achieve their own personal definition of success. GOODProjects’ flagship programs emphasize academic achievement, economic empowerment, and self-sufficiency. To learn more, please visit www.GOODProjects.org or follow us at @GOODProjectsDC.