PHOTOS: Rose Park Fundraiser

Friends of Rose Park gathered Thursday night for a party at Bill Dean's home at 28th and P Street in the East Village.

"It's a very special place," said Dean about Rose Park. He promised that his dogs Shredded and Splinter were never off-leash in the park.

The Friends of Rose Park received approval for upgrades to the favorite East Village neighborhood park earlier this year; construction began Sept. 24. Among the work being done at the corner of 26th and O Streets, NW: upgrading the existing paths, replacing railroad timbers, increasing the flag poll plaza, adding seating and planting trees, along with other improvements.

John Cecchi, a real estate developer who lives at P and 32nd Streets, developed the construction plan currently underway at the neighborhood gathering place. He thanked local architect Dale Overmeyer who helped with the Rose Park and designed the complete historic renovation of the Dean's home, the Dodge Mansion.

"Right now we have a massive amount of construction going on at Rose Park and we just want to thank you so much for what you're doing for Rose Park," said David Dunning, the President of Friends of Rose Park.

On Thursday, guests enjoyed the open bar, cool evening and incredible design of a Georgetown home, while toasting to a Georgetown treasure of their own making just blocks away.