"Swampoodle II" | NoMa Parks Foundation

Swampoodle Terrace

LOCATION:

LOCATION: 1100 3rd St NE

YEAR ACQUIRED:

September 2020

GROUNDBREAKING:

February 2022

OPENING:

October 2022

DESIGNER:

Lee & Associates

SIZE:

private land: 5,800 SF with adjacent public space; total park: 8,400 SF

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

community gathering space, flexible play and performance spaces, community herb garden, park equipment storage/service structure, and ample vegetated spaces; additional improvements to public space included the construction of curb “bulb-outs” to slow traffic and improve pedestrian mobility, a widened crosswalk, and the placement of two micro-mobility corrals to improve bike and scooter access as well as enhance visibility between Swampoodle Park and Swampoodle Terrace

SITE ACQUISITION

In September 2020, the NoMa Parks Foundation acquired 1100–1102 and 1104 3rd Street NE at the northwest corner of 3rd Street and L Street NE. As with the Swampoodle Park site across the street, the vacant property, which consisted of 5,800 SF of private land, was combined with adjacent “public parking” open space that enabled the development of an 8,400 SF park. The Foundation acquired the land for $3.4 million from an affiliate of Douglas Development. NPF first approached Douglas Development in 2015 seeking to acquire this site as a companion space to Swampoodle Park. At the time, the owner responded with a counteroffer well in excess of the Foundation’s budget, and NPF did not pursue the acquisition. In July 2020, the owner became interested in an expedited sale and reached out to the Foundation. As with Swampoodle Park, NPF knew it could move forward expeditiously and as quickly as other potential private buyers. The acquisition was completed on September 28, 2020, and was NoMa Parks Foundation’s fourth successful land acquisition.

SITE DESIGN AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Support and guidance throughout the concept development and design process were provided by DPR, DGS, DDOT, and ANC6C — especially through its Environment, Parks, and Events and Transportation and Public Space committees — as well as by NoMa residents.

Lee & Associates was selected to design Swampoodle Terrace to complement the precedents established at Swampoodle Park. The development of this site amplified the utility of Swampoodle Park by addressing the need for community gathering spaces and providing more public green space in the area. Swampoodle Terrace includes a great deal of seating, flexible play and performance space, mounds for toddler play, serving capability for events and storage for park equipment in a specially designed shipping container, chess tables, a shade pergola, and beautiful plantings, including a community herb garden. Changes to adjacent public spaces consist of a lovely terraced entry, curb bulb-outs for traffic-calming, new bike racks, and two micro-mobility corrals. Together, Swampoodle Park and Swampoodle Terrace address a wide range of neighborhood needs, providing the elements anyone would want in a park space: children’s play areas, a space for dogs, places for gathering, and gardens.

NAMING AND CONSTRUCTION

The name “Swampoodle Terrace,” as with the other NPF parks, was chosen in a community nomination and voting process that garnered more than 900 participants in a two-round process. Several hundred names were submitted that reflected the neighborhood’s strong history. Ultimately, however, “Swampoodle Terrace” won out, highlighting the park as a companion and bookend to Swampoodle Park across the street.

Construction on Swampoodle Terrace started in February 2022, and the park opened eight months later in October 2022, the last major construction project for NPF. As a sign of how closely they are linked, Swampoodle Park and Swampoodle Terrace are now fondly referred to by some community members as “The Swampoodles.”