D.C. history lesson time!

What sweet urban oasis was dubbed “Needle Park” due to rampant drug use? Our east-of-the-river expert doesn’t know.

But apparently it’s Marvin Gaye Park, formally Watts Branch Park,  in Northeast.

The park is currently undergoing a huge revitalization, including “state-of-the-art playground equipment, a Marvin Gaye Amphitheater, the restoration of Watts Branch stream and 1.6 miles of newly-rebuilt hiker/biker trails.”

Earlier this year, a street nearby was also renamed for Marvin Gaye, a native son to the Deanwood area. A special ribbon-cutting event for the new playground equipment is planned for next month, August 20.

Image by Permanently Scatterbrained, Flickr Creative Commons