The NoMa Parks Foundation has worked with DDOT to design and build an incredible trio of public plazas and green space at the heart of NoMa. These plazas form a green and walkable public space bridging between the core of NoMa and the south end of Eckington. While these spaces are designed to be a draw for the community of residents and workers, the BID will utilize programming and core services to truly bring them to life.

The strategy to do so is necessarily different from a space like Alethia Tanner Park and must be centered on creating a communal sense of investment and ownership in the spaces, while finding creative ways to connect people with them that feel organic and comfortable.

Progress on this initiative in 2025 included:

• Partnering with the DC Mayor and DDOT to host a successful grand opening event.
• Expanding the daily duties and territory of BID Ambassador team to include cleaning and trash removal at these public spaces.
• Securing a grant from DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities to bring a monumental work of sculpture art to the space, which functions as a gateway to the city.
• Maintaining ongoing communication with contractors and vendors to share new observations and identify and report issues as they emerge.
• Frequent storytelling to communicate and show the community how the spaces can be used.

Targeted work on this initiative for 2026 will include:

• Installing and unveiling a new sculpture which pays tribute to Mamie “Peanut” Johnson’s dual career as baseball legend and nurse.
• Installing canopies or sails to provide shade and protection from sun exposure.
• Planning programming and events to demonstrate to the community the variety of uses to activate the space, including events for families and children in the playground area.
• Enhancing wayfinding and placemaking through the installation of banners and signage.
• Working with DDOT to address illegal left turns by drivers onto Florida Avenue.
• Engaging in storytelling that substantiates the traffic and safety improvements with collected data and that celebrates newsworthy happenings, including the one-year anniversary of the delivery of the space and the installation of a new, monumental work of sculpture art.
• Maintaining relationships with vendors and city agencies to ensure infrastructure, maintenance, and safety are adequately addressed.