Co-op walking tour recap and photos

This past Saturday (2/22), we hosted our walking tour, led by Amanda Huron and titled "The History of Tenant Organizing & Co-ops in Adams Morgan." What a turnout! We had about a hundred people register in advance online, and about a hundred people came. It was great to see so many people!

We gathered in Rabaut Park, across the street from Pica Taco, with Bethany (Park East resident) and Amanda Huron kicking things off.

Amanda Huron speaks to the group in Rabaut Park.

After waving at the Beverly Court Co-op on our left, we stopped at Unity Park, where we heard from Beverly Court residents Nancy and Steve. Both told us a bit about the history of the co-op, their experience with it, and the advantages of living in a co-op.

Beverly Court Co-op resident Steve (left) addresses the crowd in Unity Park. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

Beverly Court Co-op resident Nancy (center, with microphone) addresses the crowd at Unity Park. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

Some of the group at Unity Park.

Our next stop was at Champlain Court Co-op, where we heard from several long-term residents about the history of their building, the Last Holdouts, how they came to their name, and what their co-op looks like now. We heard from Jean (the local ANC and Champlain Court resident), Taryn Tymus (the co-op president), and others.

Jean Evans, ANC rep and Champlain Court resident, speaks in front of the co-op. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

Champlain Court Co-op resident Andrea Tucker talks to the crowd and sings. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

The group wraps around the corner to listen to the speakers at Champlain Court Co-op.

Our third stop was at Walter Pierce Park, across the street from the Pasadena. Though the building is now condos, it was once the Pasadena Co-op. We heard from Oscar Hernandez, e son of one of the main organizers of the co-op starting in 1978. We heard about Oscar accompanying his mom to court hearings about the co-op as a child and all the work that went into becoming a co-op.

Oscar, son of Pasadena Co-op organizer and childhood resident, speaks to the group in Walter Pierce Park. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

Oscar addresses the crowd in Walter Pierce Park, across the street from the Pasadena. The Pasadena is directly in front of Oscar, with a light facade and red roof. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto

Oscar and Amanda Huron in Walter Pierce Park. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto.

Finally, the group walked just a few more blocks to the Park East parking lot, where several residents and volunteers spoke about the goals of the co-op project. Damiana, friend and neighbor, spoke about growing up in a co-op and how meaningful and important it was for her. Mary, Park East resident, talked about the goal of being in charge of our building and looking out for each other.

The group walks from Walter Pierce Park to Park East. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto.

Damiana, Park East neighbor and volunteer. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto.

Park East residents talking about the importance of the limited-equity co-op.

Mary, Park East resident, talks to the group.

At the end of the tour, we invited everyone to join us inside for some hot drinks and snacks. It

was so great to talk with people from the neighborhood and from other parts of the city, and to hear about other tenant organizing taking place.

In addition to the community building aspect of this event, we were (and still are!) also fundraising for the Park East Co-op Project expenses (such as getting an inspection of the building in order to qualify for HUD funding). We raised about $2,500 after the walking tour alone, wow! We are so grateful for the incredibly generous financial support of everyone who attended on Saturday, as well as for the encouragement and vocal support of our project! Thank you, everyone!

A Park East resident. Photo by Julia Keane @juliakeanephoto.