Rebecca Coder Park Dedicated by Councilmember Pinto on April 19!
Posted: May 9, 2024
A crowd of more than fifty West End and Foggy Bottom residents turned out for the dedication of Rebecca Coder Park, a part of Francis Field used for passive, non-athletic rest and recreation.
Councilmember Brooke Pinto, who sponsored the legislation, made brief remarks, and then participated in the unveiling of the plaque that memorializes the former neighborhood leader.
Among the participants were many of the neighborhood elders and leaders who knew and worked with Rebecca for the ten years she served as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner before her death in 2018 at the age of forty-nine.
Guests included Susan Haight of the Friends of the West End Library; John George, president of the Foggy Bottom Association; Florence Harmon, Peter Sacco, and Michael Thomas, former ANC commissioners; Chef Ris Lacoste; Anthony Lanier, president of Eastbanc, the firm that developed much of the West End; and Joe Sternlieb, president of the Georgetown BID.
Also attending were Chris Haspel, Rebecca's widower, and other members of Rebecca's family; many members of the Friends of Francis Field and the Foggy Bottom/West End Village—two organizations that Rebecca helped to found—as well as other neighbors, friends, and new residents.
The bronze memorial plaque, mounted on a plain, natural rock, is shown in the photo at right.
It is located in a corner of the park. No other signage is contemplated. Francis Field, which is partly owned by the National Park Service and is currently permitted by the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, will retain its name.
After the ceremony, a reception was held in the lobby lounge of the 2501 M building, where Rebecca's memory was toasted with her favorite champagne.
Rebecca Coder was also instrumental in securing a new West End Public Library, and a new fire station, both of which are multi-purpose buildings with residential sections. Her service and many accomplishments were related in the testimony for the memorial legislation. See related article on this website, which includes a larger image of the plaque and more about Rebecca.
Special thanks go out to FFF board members Brad Kerchof, who spruced up the dedication site and devised the plaque unveiling; and to Beth Monroe Chase, who handled the hospitality duties for the lovely reception. Thanks also to FFF members Michael Scheininger and Lauren Kessler for the photographs.