Welcome, Neighbor!

Welcome to Single Member District 5B05—the best neighborhood in the city! You’ve got impeccable taste, and we’re so glad to have you here as our neighbor.

As you get settled into your new home, you may find yourself in need of resources or answers to questions, such as, “When do trash and recycling get picked up?,” “Is there a farmer’s market nearby?,” “What resources are available to seniors?,” and “What kinds of transportation options are available in our community?”

Please read below to find the answers to these and other questions. I hope this resource page is helpful to you as you make yourself at home here in 5B05. If you need help finding something and don’t see the answer below, please contact me and I’ll be glad to assist!

(Obligatory disclaimer: The inclusion of any business or organization below or anywhere else on this website should not be considered an endorsement thereof.)

  • Brookland Babies - A Facebook group for expecting parents and caregivers of children, with a focus on newborn to preschool age.

  • Brookland Buy Nothing - A Facebook group for community members to give away, lend, or share items or opportunities with their neighbors.

  • Brookland DC - A general community Facebook page (not solely kid-focused but posts may still be relevant to families).

  • Brookland Kids Listserv - A Google Group listserv with information about kids’ activities, childcare centers and schools, summer camps, and other issues.

  • Brookland Listserv - A Google Group listserv (not solely kid-focused but posts may still be relevant to families).

  • 4DMVKids - A website created by a local resident spotlighting events, activities, and things to do with kids the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

  • Bipeds of Brookland - Meet some of our neighbors!

  • Brookland Bridge - A blog about the Brookland neighborhood.

  • Bygone Brookland - A blog about Brookland’s history.

Contractors - The Brookland Listserv maintains a list of contractors and resident recommendations here.

FrontDoor.DC.Gov - FrontDoor.DC.Gov is an easy-to-use, one-stop shop where renters and homeowners can find resources on how to get grants to repair their roof, make their home more accessible, repair or replace appliances, remove asthma triggers or lead paint, replace lead pipes, protect their home from flooding, buy a home, pay their mortgage, save money on property taxes, and more.

Office of the Tenant Advocate - The Office of the Tenant Advocate (OTA) provides advice and legal services to tenants in connection with landlord disputes.  It also provides education about tenant rights and rental housing matters, and financial assistance to displaced tenants for certain emergency housing and tenant relocation expenses.  To request advice or assistance, call (202) 719-6560 or TTY 711.  Click here for more information.

Riversmart Homes and Residential Tree Planting - The District, in collaboration with Casey Trees, offers a program whereby residents can request rain barrels, rain gardens, and shade trees installed in their yards for free. This program helps to expand the city’s tree canopy and control stormwater runoff. To learn more, click here, or call (202) 535-2252.

Sidewalk Caretaking - Residents are generally required to maintain the sidewalks in front of their homes. This includes removing trash, snow, and ice.

Sidewalk Snow Removal Exemption / D.C. Volunteer Snow Team - Residents over age 65 or who have a physical disability may request an exemption from snow- and ice-removal requirements. You can learn more about the exemption program here. Call D.C. SWEEP at (202) 645-7190, TTY (202) 673-6833, or dial 311. 

If you miss the deadline to apply for assistance, or if you are between the ages of 60-64 or have a physical disability, you can request free snow removal assistance from the D.C. Volunteer Snow Removal Team.  To request assistance, please click here or call (202) 727-7925.

Street Trees - The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is responsible for planting, inspecting, pruning, and removing street trees—public trees located between the sidewalk and curb. To request tree services, please click here or call 311.

Tax Deductions - The District offers a number of tax incentives to homeowners, including the First-Time Homebuyer Individual Income Tax Credit, the Homestead Deduction, the Lower Income, Long-Term Homeowners Tax Credit, and the Senior Citizen or Disabled Property Owner Tax Relief. Click here and here to learn more about these programs. You can also call the D.C. Office of Tax and Revenue at (202) 727-4829.

Tree Box Gardens - Residents may “beautify” the tree boxes in front of their homes in accordance with these guidelines.

Cable + Internet + Land Line Telephone - A number of cable / internet / land line service providers are available in the D.C. area, including Astound, Comcast Xfinity, and Verizon.

Electricity + Solar - Electricity in D.C. is provided by Pepco. To sign up for services, please click here, or call (202) 833-7500. Residents also have the option of purchasing renewable electricity from their power supplier. To learn more about this program, please click here. Residents may also opt to install solar panels; visit here for more information.

Gas - Washington Gas provides gas service in D.C. To sign up for services, please click here or call (703) 750-1000.

🚨 To report a gas leak, leave the area immediately and call the Washington Gas emergency line at (844) 927-4427 and select option 1, or call 911. 

Water and Sewer - Water and sewer service is provided by D.C. Water. To sign up for services, please click here or call (202) 354-3600.

🚨 To report a water or sewer emergency, please call (202) 354-3600 or email command.center@dcwater.com. 

Public Service Commission - The D.C. Public Service Commission (DCPSC) oversees electric, gas, and telecom utilities in D.C. It ensures that utilities provide safe, reliable, and quality utility services at reasonable rates for D.C. customers. DCPSC can help to resolve disputes among consumers and service providers. To contact the DCPSC, call (202) 626-5100 or email websupport@psc.dc.gov.

Bulk Trash - Residents may request bulk trash pick-up by calling 311, or by going to 311.dc.gov.

Other Sanitation Services - DPW provides additional sanitation services at Ft. Totten Transfer Station (4900 John McCormack Rd. NE), including e-waste and hazardous waste disposal, composting, and shredding. The Ft. Totten Transfer Station is closed until fall 2022. Residents can use the Benning Road Transfer Station (3200 Benning Rd. NE) in the interim.

Trash + Recycling - DPW is responsible for collecting trash and recycling for homes with three or fewer units. In SMD 5B05, trash and recycling are collected on Wednesdays during non-holiday weeks. Buildings with more than four units are serviced by private trash collection companies.

Trash Can Purchase/Repair/Replacement - Residents can request to purchase, repair, or replace DPW trash and recycling bins by calling 311.

If you are a new homeowner in the District of Columbia, you are eligible for free containers if: 1) You moved into your home within the previous 90 days; 2) There are no containers at the home at the time of move-in; or 3) The containers are damaged beyond repair. If you meet this criteria, you can send a copy of your deed or settlement letter and a request for new trash and recycling bins via email to swma.infor@dc.gov, by fax to (202) 645-3893, or by mail to:

Department of Public Works
Solid Waste Collections Division – Container Processing
1725 15th Street NE
Washington, DC 20002

Bike/Multiuse Trails - The Metropolitan Branch Trail is the nearest bike/multiuse path in our neighborhood. To view a map of the trail, please click here. To view maps of other trails in the area, please click here.

Bus Service - Several bus routes run through our neighborhood, including the 80, E2, H2, H4, H6, H8, D8, G8, and R4. To view a map of area bus routes, please click here or see below.

Metro - Located at Michigan Avenue and Bunker Hill Rd. NE, the Brookland-CUA metro station is the nearest metro station in our neighborhood. To view a map of the metro system, please click here.

Vehicle Registration - Residents may register or renew their vehicles with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Please click here for more. To contact the DMV, call (202) 737-4404, or TTY 711.

Visitor’s Parking Permits - Residents may request visitor parking passes for guests, including home health aides, via the new ParkDC program, which allows residents to instantaneously request parking passes for guests without having to visit an MPD station or print out a parking pass at home. Residents can also obtain parking passes for multiple guests who are visiting at the same time. Each resident is entitled to 2,160 hours of permits per year, which can be used to obtain multiple parking passes simultaneously. To request a pass online click here. Residents who do not have a computer or printer can contact the call center to obtain a visitor parking pass: (202) 671-2631.

Community Gardens -

Farms — Brookland neighbor Tom Metcalf created D.C. Farm Fun, a wonderful resource for families looking for D.C.-area farms, including pick-your-own farms, pumpkin and berry patches, corn mazes, hay rides, fall farm festivals, and other agricultural adventures!

Farmers Markets - We are fortunate to have two farmer’s markets in our neighborhood: the Monroe Street Farmer’s Market and the Licking Creek Farms market near the Brookland-CUA metro.

Grocery Stores + Food Banks -

Playgrounds + Splash Parks - Our community boasts several wonderful playgrounds, including:

  • Bunker Hill Elementary School - 1401 Michigan Ave. NE - Playground equipment for kids ages 3+. This playground is only accessible to the public on the weekends, not on school days.

  • Michigan Park Community Playground - 12th + Varnum Streets NE (on west side of St. Joseph’s Seminary) - New nature-themed playground with equipment for kids ages 5+.

  • Turkey Thicket Recreation Center - 10th + Shepherd Streets NE (playground entrance) / 1100 Michigan Avenue NE (front entrance) - Playground, splash park, indoor pool, baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, track, and pavilion. To reserve the outdoor pavilion for a party, click here.

Recreation -

  • Fort Bunker Hill - 13th + Perry Streets NE - Fun hiking spot with a few trails around the park

  • Franciscan Monastery - 1400 Quincy Street NE - Quiet setting with beautiful gardens, a walking path, mature trees, and nature for kids to explore.

  • Turkey Thicket Recreation Center - 1100 Michigan Avenue NE - Playground, splash park, indoor pool, baseball diamond, basketball and tennis courts, track, and pavilion. To reserve the outdoor pavilion for a party, click here.

Libraries -

Clothing Swap - St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on 12th Street NE holds an annual kids’ clothing swap each summer. Check out the calendar or reach out to the church for more information.

Community Listservs - Scroll up to the “Blogs + Listservs” section above for more information about neighborhood listservs, Facebook groups, and blogs.

Daycares - Residents can search for nearby childcare facilities at https://mychildcare.dc.gov/.

Playgrounds - Scroll down to the “Recreation” section below for a list of nearby playgrounds and kid-friendly recreational sites.

Public and Charter Schools - Our neighborhood boasts a number of public and public charter schools, including:

You can find other schools within the broader ANC 5B area at https://find.myschooldc.org/.

School Lottery - My School DC is the common application and lottery for the District’s public and charter school options. You can learn more about the lottery process here. I also hosted a D.C. School Lottery 101 training with my colleague, Commissioner Prita Piekara (5B03) in January 2021, a recording of which you can find here

D.C. Neighborhood Connect - D.C. Neighborhood Connect offers on-demand shuttle service to help residents in Wards 1, 4, 5, and parts of Ward 8 get around the city. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available. D.C. residents are currently able to ride free. For more information, click here or call (202) 398-0500.

D.C. Public Library (DCPL) Senior Programs - DCPL regularly offers classes and activities for District seniors, including art, computer classes, fitness, financial literacy, social activities, and more.  Please click here and search the events calendar for more.

Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) - DACL serves District residents 60 and older, adults living with disabilities, and those who care for them. DACL partners with community groups to offer free or low-cost programs, including activities and events, nutrition and prepared meal delivery, transportation services, healthcare and insurance counseling, caregiver support resources, and adult protective services. To learn more, click here. You can also call DACL at (202) 724-5626 or TTY 711, or email dacl@dc.gov.

Department of Parks and Recreation Senior Programs – The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) offers a variety of programs and activities for older adults in D.C., including aquatics and fitness classes, sports, and social programs. Please click here to view and sign up for activities. You can also email dprseniors@dc.gov or call (202) 255-1369.  

Grocery Plus - The Capital Area Food Bank provides qualifying seniors with free, nutritious food so they can stay healthy and active. This program also provides seniors with farmers market vouchers that are redeemable for produce at participating farmers markets. For more information about this program and how to apply, please click here, or call (202) 644-9880.

Library by Mail – D.C. Public Library allows residents with disabilities or health conditions to borrow and return library books and DVDs through the mail. Click here for more information. You can also email DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call (202) 727-2142.

Seabury Shuttle - Seabury provides transportation services for older adults in D.C. To learn more, click here or call (202) 844-3000.

Sidewalk Snow Removal Exemption / D.C. Volunteer Snow Team - Visit the “Your Home” section above to learn more about snow removal exemptions and assistance.

Art Enables - Art Enables is a local non-profit serving adults with intellectual disabilities or with a mental health diagnosis.  Eligible artists who are 21 years or older may apply to become a Resident Artist at Art Enables.  Please click here for more.

D.C. Neighborhood Connect - D.C. Neighborhood Connect offers on-demand shuttle service to help residents in Wards 1, 4, 5, and parts of Ward 8 get around the city. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles are available. D.C. residents are currently able to ride free. For more information, click here or call (202) 398-0500.

Deaf Reach - Deaf Reach is a local non-profit that helps deaf and hard-of-hearing people who need housing, community services, counseling, life skills training, socialization activities, or other services. For more information, please click here, email hello@deaf-reach.org, or call (202) 832-6681. 

Department of Aging and Community Living (DACL) - DACL serves District residents 60 and older, adults living with disabilities, and those who care for them. DACL partners with community groups to offer free or low-cost programs, including activities and events, nutrition and prepared meal delivery, transportation services, healthcare and insurance counseling, caregiver support resources, and adult protective services. To learn more, click here. You can also call DACL at (202) 724-5626 or TTY 711, or email dacl@dc.gov.

Library by Mail – D.C. Public Library allows residents with disabilities or health conditions to borrow and return library books and DVDs through the mail. Click here for more information. You can also email DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call (202) 727-2142.

Office of Disability Rights (ODR) - ODR helps to ensure that the programs, services, benefits, activities and facilities operated or funded by the District of Columbia are fully accessible to, and useable by, people with disabilities. It also investigates discrimination complaints and oversees the District government’s ADA compliance. For assistance, call (202) 724-5055 or TTY 711, or email odr@dc.gov

Office of Human Rights (OHR) - OHR enforces local and federal human rights laws, including the DC Human Rights Act and labor and employment laws, by providing a legal process to those who believe they have been discriminated against. OHR also oversees implementation of the Language Access Program and Citywide Youth Bullying Prevention Program. To contact OHR, call (202) 727-4559 or TTY 711, or email ohr@dc.gov. 

Seabury - Seabury offers free services to D.C. residents who are blind or visually impaired, including independent living skills, music therapy, nutritional meals, braille, and other communication skills. Visit here for more information, or call (202) 529-8701.

Sidewalk Snow Removal Exemption / D.C. Volunteer Snow Team - Please visit the “Your Home” section above to learn more about snow removal exemptions and assistance.

Animal Rescues - City Wildlife and the Humane Rescue Alliance are two animal rescue organizations that operate in the D.C. area. In addition to providing animal rescue services, Human Rescue Alliance also offers humane law enforcement (to respond to animal abuse), animal control services, and domestic violence support via its Safe Haven program. For more information about these programs, please click here.

To report animal abuse, request animal control services, or for 24/7 domestic violence support, call the Human Rescue Alliance at (202) 723-5730. 

Annual Pet Blessing - The friars at the Franciscan Monastery (1400 Quincy Street NE) holds an annual blessing of the animals each year. Check out the events calendar to find out when the next event will be held.

Dog Daycare + Training –

  • Patrick’s Pet Care at 3509 12th Street NE provides dog grooming, training, and dog walking.

  • District Dogs at 680 Rhode Island Avenue NE (and elsewhere in D.C.) offers dog daycare, boarding, training, and grooming.

Dog Park - The nearest dog park is the Langdon Dog Park located at 2901 20th Street NE.

Vets + Animal Hospitals - District Veterinary Hospital is located in 5B05 at 3748 10th Street NE. Other animal hospitals a little further afield include Veterinary Emergency Group (open 24 hours), City Paws, and Friendship Animal Hospital (open 24 hours). Residents can search for other veterinarians and animal hospitals via Google Maps.