D.C.’s Newest Parklet Adds to Variety of Public Events in Golden Triangle

WASHINGTON, D.C.–July 14, 2015–District leaders cut the ribbon this afternoon on the first seasonal, interactive parklet in the region that soon will add to the mix of engaging outdoor events in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District.

The parklet, a mini-park created by extending the existing sidewalk, is named parKIT and is located in the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District in front of 2020 K St., NW. It is part of a global, experimental initiative to assess the effectiveness of parklets.

parKIT will be up through October and will be the first parklet in Washington, D.C., to stay in place for an extended period. parKIT includes interactive pieces that visitors can rearrange in creative ways. The design features triangle planters and triangular extrusions of different heights.

Tues., July 21 will be the first “Making the City” event at parKIT from noon–2 p.m.; the programs will continue in subsequent weeks and will feature creative and innovative activities and talks that will highlight outdoor space. “Making the City” at parKIT joins other continuing outdoor programs in the Golden Triangle. These include Farragut Fridays at Farragut Square Park, just a few blocks away, at K St. and Connecticut Ave.

“parKIT really shows how we all can think differently about the places we walk and drive by every day. The Golden Triangle has a mixture of great parks and outdoor spaces. The programs we are scheduling are an added element that bring people out to enjoy and engage,” says Leona Agouridis, executive director, Golden Triangle Business Improvement District.

As part of its temporary urbanism initiative, Sustainable DC invited the Golden Triangle to pilot the creation of a seasonal parklet. Sustainable DC and District Department of Transportation have developed new guidelines and protocols for parklets throughout the city with input from the Golden Triangle BID and others. One of the goals of this temporary D.C. project is to evaluate it as a model for going forward. Gensler, an integrated architecture, design, planning and consulting firm, is also a sponsor of the initiative. Two of Gensler’s designers won an in-house design competition for the parklet idea and are overseeing the fabrication. The Golden Triangle is funding the construction and installation of the parKIT.

The Golden Triangle’s Farragut Fridays is a free all-day, summer event that brings together area workers, local residents and visitors to enjoy fun and innovative activities. These include Tech Trends that highlights a variety of tech companies from the Golden Triangle’s bustling tech sector to share innovative programs and ground-breaking ideas. The Fridays end with Golden Cinema, which features outdoor movies that begin at sunset.

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The Golden Triangle BID is a non-profit organization that works to enhance D.C.’s Central Business District from the White House to Dupont Circle and 16th Street NW to New Hampshire Avenue NW. The BID’s primary focus is to provide a clean, safe, and friendly environment within its 43 blocks of public space for area workers, local residents and visitors. www.goldentriangledc.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Adam Shapiro
202-427-3603
Adam.Shapiro@ASPR.bz

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