Locals Petition for More Gym Space in Hill East

Hill East residents looking to add more space for athletic activities in their neighborhood are calling on District officials to build a full-size gym in an area recreation center.

Parent representatives of the Watkins School Improvement Team have launched an petition that urges Mayor Muriel Bowser and other D.C. leaders to make a new gym part of the District’s modernization plans for Watkins Elementary School and Recreation Center at 420 12th St. SE.

The facility is scheduled to close for renovations in June. The building is expected to reopen next year.

“Building a full-size gym at Watkins Recreation Center is consistent with the recently published [Department of Parks and Recreation] Master Plan,” the petition says. “In fact, the plan identifies this Hill East neighborhood as an area that has a need for additional recreation center space and identifies the Watkins Rec Center itself as insufficiently sized.”

Locals have until Monday to sign the petition, which has drawn hundreds of supporters so far, according to Watkins School Improvement Team member Kevin White.