Skyland Town Center Park Dedicated to Community Leader Karen Williams

Elected city officials, community members, family and WC Smith colleagues gathered May 14 to celebrate the ribbon cutting and dedication of a community park at Skyland Town Center, named in honor of local leader Karen Williams.

A long-time educator, community leader and passionate advocate for Skyland Town Center. Karen grew up in Ward 8 and graduated from Ballou High School and George Washington University. She served as Ward 7’s representative on the DC State Board of Education for eight years. As president of the Hillcrest Community Civic Association, Karen was a key partner in the planning and development of Skyland.

Karen died Christmas Day 2022.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Ward 7 Councilmember Wendell Felder joined Karen’s husband Earl in remembering Karen and her legacy of service to Skyland and DC.

Felder noted how the Williams “adopted” him as a young man, recalling how Karen told him that he needed a little more “marinating” when he asked her about running for council in 2020. He ran for and won the seat in 2024.

Bowser, making her eighth official visit to Skyland, commended the Skyland development team for its perseverance and delivering a “beautiful project for Ward 7.”

The one-acre park, which features a playground and lawn, sits between the new townhomes and a lot where 24 condos will be built.

Local news coverage of the event can be seen here.