The Douglass Community Center in Leesburg, operated by the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS), is preparing to return to its newly renovated location at 407 E. Market Street and will open to the public on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Douglass Dunes Play Area
As part of the preparation to move from the center’s temporary location at 705-H East Market Street, the indoor Douglass Dunes, a beach-themed play area, will close to the public on Wednesday, May 17, 2023. The renovated outdoor Douglass Dunes area at the original 407 E. Market Street location is anticipated to open on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
Preschool & Programs
The licensed preschool classes held at the temporary location of the Douglass Community Center will remain operating out of 705-H East Market Street until the end of the program’s school year, which concludes Wednesday, May 31, 2023. The temporary location at 705-H East Market Street is anticipated to fully close on Thursday, June 1, 2023.
All other programs and classes will begin operating out of the 407 E. Market Street location on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Project Background & New Playground
The Douglass Community Center was relocated to 705-H East Market Street in August 2021 as part of the renovation project for the Historic Douglass High School Education & Development Campus, which is operated by Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS). The Douglass High School, constructed in 1941 on land purchased by the African American community, was the only African American high school in Loudoun County until the end of school segregation in the county in 1968.
To help fully realize LCPS’s vision to renovate large portions of the Douglass School site to honor, restore and preserve the rich cultural significance of the building, PRCS engaged in a concept design for the playground structure that would complement the project. The Douglass Community Center playground replacement project creates a themed experience that embraces the global impact and contributions that African Americans have made as a part of American history. Custom structures have been designed to embody an authentic play experience through intentional educational components. The “Hall of Heroes,” inspired by the architecture of the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., is the center structure that sets the tone for the themed playground concept.
The highly anticipated opening of the playground at the 407 E. Market Street location and a planned open house for the renovated Douglass Community Center will be announced soon.
About the Douglass Community Center
The Douglass Community Center has served the community since 1978 offering a wide variety of activities and programs for all ages, including year-round licensed preschool classes and camps.
Follow the Douglass Community Center on Facebook for future announcements and updates. For more information, call the Douglass Community Center at 703-771-5913 or contact us by email at dcc@loudoun.gov.
# # #