DPR Contact: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-7645
DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647

School is in session. As Fall weather and colors start to settle over the District the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is ready with activities to help you enjoy this colorful season. During September, DPR continues to offer a full range of activities at parks and recreation centers across the District of Columbia.

Please take a moment to review the list of highlighted events below, and remember this is only a glimpse of the many activities and programs you can find at DPR throughout September. There's much more to be found by visiting any DC Department of Parks and Recreation center, or our website at DPR.DC.GOV, or calling (202) 673-7647.

ATHLETIC PROGRAMS

September 13 – December 12, 2010
DC SPEED CROSS COUNTRY BEGINS
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
Time: 6pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 14 and under
Starting September 6 – 27, 2010, participants can register online at www.dpr.dc.gov. Practice Days are: Mondays and Wednesdays (6:00pm - 7:30pm); Saturdays 9:00 - 11:00am; Sundays (Cross Country meets- occasionally). Uniform and meets fees are associated. For more information, call Edgar Sams at (202) 425-2859.

OFFICE OF PARTNERSHIPS AND DEVELOPMENT 

September 10, 2010
Back to Football Friday
Modell’s, 1518 Benning Road, NE
Time: 4pm – 7pm
All Ages
DPR will team up with Modell’s United Way, NFL Play60, WJFL Radio, Powerade, and Safeway to host a tailgate style event. This event is an exciting campaign to advance youth health and wellness as a national priority. We are encouraging fans of all ages to show their NFL team pride at work and in school on September 10 in celebration of the start of the NFL season and to join our efforts to end childhood obesity. For more information, call Charles Young at (202) 316-4262.

September 25, 2010
Welcome Back to Wilson Aquatic Center
Community Fun Day & Open House
Wilson Aquatic Center, 4551 Fort Drive, NW
Time: 6pm – 9pm
DPR will celebrate the reopening of Wilson Aquatic Center.

September 29 & 30, 2010
Senior Smoking Cessation Workshops
Ft. Stevens Recreation Center, 1327 Van Buren Street, NW
Lamond Recreation Center, 20 Tuckerman Street, NE
Time: 10:30am – 11:30am
DPR in partnerships with Pfizer, and Charter Health Plan will host workshops for seniors.

RECREATION SERVICES DIVISION

September 7, 2010
Fantasy Football Draft Party
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE
Time: 6pm – 8pm
Ages: 10 and up
Football fans young and old are invited to kickoff Turkey Thicket’s Inaugural Fantasy Football Season. Participants will learn game rules, create a team name, and select players through the fantasy draft. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call Tiffany Johnson, Site Manager at (202) 576-9238.

September 11, 2010
Benning Stoddert Community Day
Benning Stoddert Recreation Center, 100 Stoddert Place, SE
Time: 10am - 4pm
All Ages
Come and join the staff and friends of Benning Stoddert in celebrating there annual Community Day. The day will include lots of fun activities for the entire family. For more information, call Richard Evans, Site Manager at (202) 698-1873.

September 13 – May 18, 2011
FREE GED Tutoring & FREE SAT Classes (Classes are held Monday & Wednesday)
Upshur Recreation Center, 4300 Arkansas Ave., NW
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 15 and up
Greater DC Cares Volunteers offers FREE GED tutoring and FREE SAT Classes Teens and Adults are Welcome. Join us Monday & Wednesday evenings; 6:30pm - 7:30pm. For more information, call Meredyth Gilmore at (202) 777- 4441.

September 14, 2010
Recess By the River
Deanwood Recreation Center, 49th & Quarles Streets, NE
Time: 5:15pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 6 – 12
A day of fun activities and learning for kids to kick off a year-long partnership to fight childhood obesity in the District. For more information, call Orvin Wright at (202) 671-3077.

September 16, 2010
Community Networking Meeting
Brentwood Recreation Center, 2311 14th Street, NE
Time: 12pm – 2pm
Ages: 18 and up
Participants will have an opportunity to receive valuable information from various agencies located in the Brentwood community. This meeting is in conjunction with Edgewood/Brookland Manor family support collaborative, Metropolitan Police Department, Coalition for Economic Empowerment). For more information, call Lorenzo Carter at (202) 576-6667.

September 16, 2010
Happy and Healthy
Rosedale Recreation Center, 500 19th Street, NE
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Ages: 13 - 18
Happy and Healthy is an event for young ladies to discuss safe practices in relationships and hygiene for happier healthier lives. For more information, call Brian Williams at (202)258 – 6149.

September 18, 2010
Ft. Davis Community Day and Family Reunion
Ft. Davis Recreation Center, 1400 41st Street, SE
Time: 12pm – 8pm
All Ages
Community residents and former residents of the community will re-unite to enjoy free food, fun and festive activities. Residents and visitors will enjoy live performances, modeling, moonbounce, face painting and sporting activities. They will also receive free blood pressure testing, HIV testing, as well as information from several DC government and private agencies. For more information, call Elijah Fagan, Site Manager at (202) 645-9212.

September 24, 2010
Hispanic Heritage Month Fiesta
Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Ave NE,
Time: 5pm - 7pm
Ages: 13 and under
Join us as we honor Hispanic patriotism with food, music, games, and activities. We will get party-goers into the cultural spirit by having them create their own charro-style marlachi vests, rhythmic maracas, and mini drums. Then we will turn on some tradition Latin music and watch a salsa exhibition while snacking on a diverse array of Latin foods. It’s Fiesta Time! For more information, call Tiffany Johnson, Site Manager at (202) 576-9238.

September 24, 2010
Back to School Jam
Watkins Recreation Center, 420 12th Street, SE
Time: 4pm – 7:30pm
Ages: 6 – 13
Kids will dance and play games refreshments will be provided. For more information, call Brian Cobbs at (202) 724-4468.

For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 258-6021 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.