Neighbors: Bike parking scarce at Francis Pool

Who's responsible: D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation
Number of votes to fix:6

A bike ride to the pool is a summer rite for many kids, but at the Francis Pool in D.C.'s West End neighborhood in NW you might want to get there early. Griper Katy wrote there was barely any space to park her bike during a recent trip to the pool, which does not have bike racks.

"Every possible metal structure...including handicapped rails, parking meters [and] tree boxes was taken for blocks around. I pity the person who needs the rails," Katy lamented. Griper Stephen Lee Davis weighed in saying there is a great need for bike racks in the area since Francis-Stevens Educational Center is also nearby.

John A. Stokes, a Department of Parks and Recreation spokesman, said there were not currently any plans to install racks at Francis Pool. He said bike racks are not a mandatory feature at D.C. pools -- some have them, some do not. He said the current budget situation would require the department to take money from other priorities to purchase and install racks at the pool.

"But," Stokes said, "if that's really what people want that's what we'll do."