About FFF and Membership
Geography and Purpose
Updated: October 17, 2024
Friends of Francis Field (FFF) is a group of residents interested in improving Francis Field, a recreational facility and park in the West End neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
It was organized in 1998 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2008. It was granted tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service in the same year.
The map at left shows the field's location. It is about nine blocks northwest of the White House.
Francis Field is located on the west side of 25th Street NW, between M and N Streets. It is partially owned by the National Park Service and is part of Rock Creek Park. The eastern side of the field was transferred to the District of Columbia in 1971. The entire field is managed by the District's Department of Parks and Recreation.
Since 2008, FFF has funded more than $200,000 worth of improvements to the field, including removing the chain-link fence that once enclosed it, the addition of benches, new sidewalks, safety lighting, a drinking fountain, landscaping, and a landscape plan for the landscape architecture.
Partnership with the District of Columbia
In June 2013 FFF entered into a "Park Partners" partnership agreement with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, which allowed it to make improvements on the field with private funds. That public-private partnership has been renewed for additional terms and with new projects.
The agreement now extends to December 31, 2025. Our current, plan agreement is on this website in PDF format.
Join Us!
FFF is governed by a five-member Board of Directors whose members are elected for three-year terms. Members are admitted at the discretion of the Board, but membership is open to the general public. Dues are $10 annually. The Board of Directors appoints the organization's officers.
Several volunteer opportunities are available to members. A membership meeting is held at least once a year, usually in the fall. The most recent was on October 17, 2024.
Our two major project this year have been: Successfully opposing the proposed transfer of jurisdiction of Francis Field the from the National Park Service to the District of Columbia government; and implementing the landscape plan in the rear field area by making improvements to the passive space that is now, officially, Rebecca Coder Park. See related articles on the Site Map.
Updated: October 17, 2024
Initial and updated Dues are accepted by check or by credit card using PayPal. You may use the "Donate" button below for dues payment and contributions. It takes you to the PayPal website, which accepts most major credit cards. No personal information is kept on this FFF website.
You do not need to have a PayPal account to pay dues or donate by credit card, but you may use your existing PayPal account if you have one.
This same button may be used to pay dues and make contributions.
There is a drop-down menu that also allows you to specify dues payment, field improvement, or the Rebecca Coder Park fund.
For more information on that fund and project, see the articles on "Rebecca Coder Park" on this website, using the Site Map.
For new members we need either a USPS mailing address or an email address so that we can inform our voting members of the Annual Meeting date, and other events.
These addresses are not stored on this website, and will not be sold or used for any other purpose than informing our members of activities. Notifications by email or U.S. Postal Service should not exceed four per year.
You can also donate or pay membership dues by check or money order.
A larger version of the card at right can be printed from a PDF file on this website for your convenience. It prints out on one sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" paper. Click for the printable version here or on the form at right.
Board of Directors
Laura Belt
Thomas Firestone
Beth Monroe Chase
Brad Kerchof
Contact
Friends of Francis Field
2501 M Street NW #805
Washington, DC, 20037
Email: gary@fffdc.org