Dog Parks

Our regular Sunday meetup at the Shirlington Dog Park -- members start arriving around 10:15 a.m. You'll always find an Aussie to play with. There are 3 entrances, so wander the park -- the dogs will find each other! For puppies, Shirlington has a small dog park within the larger dog park. It's the prefect place for your puppy to gain confidence and socialize with others. There is also plenty of room to run. Just a reminder, the Dog Park is under attack by the Arlington County Board of Commissioners. While early plans to decrease the size of the park by 50% has been tabled, it's important to remind Arlington County how important this park is to dogs and owners. Here are links to the change.org petition and the Facebook page where you can get updates. Shirlington Dog Park Page Petition: https://www.change.org/.../arlington-county-board-save... Arlington County Board: Save the Shirlington Dog Park! We love the Shirlington Dog Park -- it provides… change.org Shirlington Dog Park Page Shirlington Dog Park Page Save the Dog Park Facebook page; https://www.facebook.com/groups/696087663906890

**Hosted by Giovanni** **📅 Date:** Sunday, April 26 **⏰ Time:** 10:00 AM – around noon **📍 Starting Point:** White Marsh Park - parking lot for the Bowie Playhouse ## **🗺️ Route** A relaxed loop through Bowie’s quiet green spaces: * Trailhead in White Marsh Park * Bridge to Spur Way * Acorn Hill Park * Bowie Marketplace * Back across the bridge to the trailhead Approx. **1.5 miles** (more if the group adds scenic loops or detours). Takes **40–90 minutes**, depending on pace and stops. ## **🌿 Terrain** * Mostly paved (macadam) * Short sections of packed dirt * Some gentle hills ## **🐾 Dogs** Friendly, **leashed dogs are welcome**. ## **🌧️ Weather** **Rain cancels.**

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

Come spring into spring with us as we return to Gateway for our first outdoor jam in a while! Please bring water, weather appropriate clothing, and good vibes. This park is a short walk from the Rosslyn Metro station. There is also limited parking available around the area, but it *can* be tricky to find, so you may want to calculate extra time if you're driving. This meetup is non-binary inclusive and open to all ability and skill levels. Whether it's your first time trying parkour or you've been training for years there will be fun challenges for everyone. Please also fill out the following waiver before attending: [https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U-_UoAC7vxrUcFV95wdtEVAG-Rg9u4urN2HHmz5sqfM/edit?usp=drivesdk](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U-_UoAC7vxrUcFV95wdtEVAG-Rg9u4urN2HHmz5sqfM/edit?usp=drivesdk)

One of our favorite meetups for our beach loving, water loving Aussies! Cute Scout loves Quiet Waters Dog Beach -- and you will too! Quiet Waters also has a dog park with plenty of fresh water! Bring a towel and check the website for social distancing requirements.

Below is the alltrails link to the hike: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/maryland/capital-crescent-trail We will only be doing 3 miles overall in this hike, out and back. Parking and Metro Access: Park in the garage near 7150 Woodmont Ave, Bethesda, MD 20815. Or park on the streets----- street-parking is free on Sundays. For metro: just get down at Bethesda metro station. We will meet at the trailhead next to the Ourisman Honda, check out the photo section of this event for a visual of the location. Bring plenty of water, whatever you need for your hike, and your awesome authentic self. Keep it easygoing. RELEASE OF LIABILITY & ASSUMPTION OF RISK AGREEMENT: By being a member of this Group, RSVPing to any Activity, or participating in any Activity, You accept and agree to the terms and conditions described below: 1. You acknowledge that hiking in nature carries the risk of potential harm to yourself, including the risk of injuries such as broken bones or muscle/tendon injuries, illness, disability, or death. 2. You agree that You will at all times be responsible for Yourself and Your own safety. 3. You release and hold harmless with respect to all injury, disability, death, or loss of property, whether caused by negligence or otherwise, this group's leadership and members for the hikes that you participate in. 4. You acknowledge and agree that this Group is merely a collection of friends or potential friends who enjoy doing activities, and that in no event does any Organizer or Other Member assume any responsibility or liability for You. 5\. You agree not to sue and to release\, discharge\, waive and hold harmless all organizers and other members from and against all liabilities\, claims\, demands\, losses\, damages\, suits and proceedings\, for negligence\, carelessness or any other cause which you may have or that hereafter may accrue arising\, resulting from or related to your membership in this group or participation in any activity\.

Families with teens &/tweens - bring a snack & come play/hang out! The Teen/Tween potluck meetup is normally monthly. We meet for eating, playing, conversation... I'm mom to 11 & 15 year olds. We've been vegan since 2012. This meetup is for vegan or vegan-curious youth & their families. All are welcome. If your family has a food allergy, please let me know & I'll share with the group. Make or buy vegan food to share and hang out/play. Bring: -vegan snack to share -your own drink -outdoor games/balls -chairs/blanket Please make sure the snack you bring to share is vegan. I'll provide paper towels. There is a basketball court, a small playground and a field. We'll have some frisbees. Please attend if your child is age 10 or older. Please note that there are no restroom facilities in the park. There is a church across the street. Turn into the parking lot between the small, white, Waves of Glory Church & the Norbeck-Muncaster Park sign. Event will be held in all weather. In case of inclement weather, we will hold the event at our home, 1 mile away, on our large covered patio.

Join us for a spring urban hike - a brisk-paced (2.5-3 mph) 5.3-mile loop, beginning and ending at Pitango (1841 Columbia Rd NW) in Adams Morgan. We'll walk through Adams Morgan, Woodley Park, the National Cathedral grounds and Tregaron Conservancy. We'll be on a mixture of trails (1/3) and sidewalks (2/3). We'll have a restroom break halfway through the hike. Bring plenty of water and some snacks, and be sure to wear sturdy, comfortable footwear. Brunch in ADMO after the hike is an option. **DISTANCE:** 5.3 miles **ELEVATION GAIN:** 800 feet - there will be hills! **PACE:** Our average moving pace will be between 2.5 and 3 miles per hour. **DOGS:** Dogs on a leash are welcome. Pitango is halfway between Dupont Circle (North/Q street exit) and Woodley Park (.7 miles). Bus routes C51 C53, D70, D72, D74 are all within a few blocks. There free street parking in the surrounding neighborhood (meters are free on Sundays). But please arrive early so you have enough time to find parking or allow for metro delays.

## Details - Please read all below before you sign up **Cost:** Free **Court Type:** Outdoor Grass **Level:** BB/A **Transportation:** Parking will be right by the grass. **What to bring:** at least 3 bottles of water and a ball/net if you have one. **4 persons per net max** **Host's Philosophy on this event:** The purpose of this meetup is to create a fun and supportive environment where we can improve our skills, enjoy competitive games, and connect socially. While we do aim to play seriously and challenge ourselves, the focus is more on growth and enjoyment than simply winning at all costs. This event is more on the competitive side. **Skill Level:** 1. **If you want to know your level, please see the link below:** [Smiley Social Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/edit) **YouTube:** The games may be recorded and uploaded to our channel here: Let the host know if you have an issue with this. [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/@mp02626) **ATTENDANCE:** **Player Selection:** Regulars > Your Vibe > Skills > \*Flaky-ratio (your attendance ratio) > New Members \*If you have attended 3 events and dropped 6, you may or may not be invited. Anyone with a Flaky-ratio -.50 or lower. If you have a recent no-show, you may not be invited. The host takes attendance very seriously. Please remove yourself from the event (if you can't make it) as early as possible to allow others to join. You will be marked as a ***no-show*** if you don't show up to the event. [Smiley Social Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg/edit) **Q&A** *-Bringing your dog or cat is welcome and encouraged.* -Can I come if I don't know how to play? \*No, you may not. The host does teach a beginner's volleyball class that you may attend on Saturdays. -Can I be late or leave early? *The host expects you to be there **on time** and leave on time. If you need to come late or leave early, please let the host know ahead of time.* -Can I come even if I am not on the going list? \*No, sorry -How can I improve my Flaky-ration? *You can attend other Smiley events. Commit to showing up.* -Why are new members accepted last? *Because they are the most flaky.* -NO SMOKING (anything) **Smiley Social Important Links:** 1. [Group Rules](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HrG35p_0M08leRvCp8XWG3CMkr_GL928XFabl5T6Dvg) 2. [Liability Waiver](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W2mq-7m99lmvd7gdWYaSUFtvVg4UGnzV6koafAbHmco) 3. [Volleyball Levels](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PojSi4qdlRsv1msCHhvpQ43iDc4FfzQwpWCc3kafVMY/)

Let’s hang out at the Spring Fair at Congressional Cemetery! There will be activities , vendors, & a plant swap. The schedule & more info is [here](https://congressionalcemetery.org/event/spring-fair-2/) . Admission is free & dogs on a leash are welcome at the cemetery. We won’t have a schedule, we’ll just see where the day takes us. We will meet at 11am near the gatehouse; see “you are here” on their map [here](https://congressionalcemetery.org/cemetery-map/) . Check comments day of for how to find me. INHERENT RISK AND LIABILITY: Organizers carefully plan events and check public sources for weather and safety. Common sense dictates that conditions may change and there is inherent risk associated with attendance. Organizers do not accept any liability for accidents/injuries or any other incidences that may occur in connection with the activities published herein or on linked sites.

Sunday should be dry after heavy rain on Saturday. Let's take advantage of the **better weather** to tromp in NW DC. We will start at DuPont Circle, walk up Massachusetts Ave. for a stretch on Embassy Row, circle back down Normanstone, the ritziest street in DC, pass through to Woodley Park, and return through the Kalorama District in Washington DC. We hike at a rate of 2 to 3 miles per hour. This hike starts with a climb up towards the Cathedral. We will pivot by the British Embassy and cut across a park. It is fairly level or downhill, with one or two exceptions, after that. Bonus Attraction: The **[Dupont Circle Farmers Market](https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/dupont-circle)**[ ](https://www.freshfarm.org/markets/dupont-circle)is open on Sundays until 1:30 pm. You can stop there pre-hike to pick up some of their superb treats. ❶ **What we’ll do:** * After starting at DuPont Circle, we'll walk northwest along Massachusetts Avenue, go up Embassy Row, cut across to Woodley Park, Creek Park, and return along Connecticut Avenue. Along the way we'll see the historic mansions, condominiums and rowhouses of the DuPont and Kalorama Districts, with examples of several different architectural styles. Today a lot of these buildings house embassies from around the world, so we'll see much of Embassy Row along the way. * The total walk is a clockwise loop of about 5 miles and should take 2 hours at a moderate pace. The surface is pavement and sidewalks throughout, with lots of changes in elevation. * Google map: [http://tinyurl.com/jux9v3v](http://tinyurl.com/jux9v3v) * Site photos/descriptions: [http://tinyurl.com/pdjgjvt](http://tinyurl.com/pdjgjvt) ❷ **How to get there:** The DuPont Circle Metro Station is on the Red Line. To get to the meetup point, exit the station towards DuPont Circle South and at the top of the escalator, proceed into the circle to the fountain. See [https://www.wmata.com/](https://www.wmata.com/) to plan your trip. If you are driving, there is free parallel parking around side streets nearby, but give yourself some time to find a spot! ❸ **What to bring:** Water, comfy shoes and your furry friend if desired (leashes required at all times). ❹ **Weather:** The forecast is cloudy and a high of 55F. Updates: [https://tinyurl.com/ych2tr5v](https://tinyurl.com/ych2tr5v) ❺ **Advisory:** As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers. ❻ **Administrative stuff:** * There are restrooms in commercial establishments around DuPont Circle if you need to make a pit stop before and/or after the hike. There are also several commercial establishments along our route, but to avoid an unduly long hike, we will not take any scheduled breaks except at the Omni hotel near Woodley Park. * Woodley Park-Zoo Metro Station is near the two-thirds point of our walk if anyone needs to depart early or would like a shorter walk.

This Monday 4/27/26 at 6:30p we will walking at Thompson Park. The address is 5600 Thompson Rd. We will meet at the shelter house. The walk will be approximately 2 miles on paved trails~Join us if you can.

**We'll hike 3.4 miles on the Killdeer and Yellowlegs Trails - both out and back gravel trails. If we want more mileage we can repeat an out and back. Pace of around 3.5 mph, no one left behind and those who want to go faster sure can!** **As always optional lunch after.** **This is the second Metro Park in the lineup - with 21 to go (plus more are being added).** **Also I have a conflict and am not available so have asked Karin to lead!**