(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) has partnered with the Earth's Natural Force Connections (ENF) to kick off this year's Earth Day with an environmental festival, "One City Celebrating a Green Lifestyle." The festival promotes DPR's theme of Move, Grow, Be Green, in helping the city become more sustainable, and reduce its carbon footprint. Mayor Vincent Gray will deliver remarks at the ceremony on Saturday, April 19, from 11 am to 4 pm, at the Kennedy Recreation Center at 1401 7th St., NW.

“The hard work and investment made by people across the District to ensure that we are moving toward a greener, more sustainable lifestyle does indeed warrant a celebration,” said Mayor Gray. “Of the actions recommended by our Sustainable DC plan, 83 percent are already underway, and are helping improve the quality of life for all of the District’s 647,000 residents."

DPR and ENF, an organization dedicated to ensuring youth have opportunities to thrive in their communities, will work with the District Department of the Environment and Howard University's Office of Sustainability and other partners to mobilize the District community into action, by focusing on five key elements – buildings, energy, recycle, lifestyle and transportation.

"DPR is happy to sponsor this festival because it aims at helping the District of Columbia accelerate its transition to a cleaner, healthier, and more economically viable future through improvements in efficiency, investments in renewable technology, and regulation reform," said DPR's Interim Director Sharia Shanklin.

The "One City Celebrating a Green Lifestyle Festival" is free. Attendees will experience 12 live performances, healthy and sustainable vendors, group fitness instructions, recycling relay races, horseshoe, basketball, skate mobile, bike mobile, games, education, gardening workshops, live art displays, demonstrations and giveaways.

More people are attending Earth Day than ever before. This event is designed to help people just starting to explore an eco-lifestyle feel welcome; and people who are veterans will still find a lot that will inspire them. This festival will be an exciting adventure for anyone in the marketplace for highly efficient products, or wants to see how DC residents are going green.

Those interested in becoming a sponsor of the "One City Celebrating a Green Lifestyle Festival" or becoming a partner in the celebration should contact John Stokes at [email protected]. For more information regarding the Earth Day festival, contact Reann Hines at [email protected] or John Stokes at [email protected].

For more information about the festival, visit the website at http://www.onecitygreenfest.org/

ABOUT THE DC DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION
The mission of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is to enhance the quality of life and wellness of DC residents and visitors by providing equal access to affordable and quality recreational services, by organizing programs, activities and events. DPR currently operates 92  playgrounds, 68 recreation centers, almost 1,000  acres of green space, 40 aquatic features (pools and spray parks), 375 parks, more than 200 play courts (basketball and tennis), and more than 100 athletic fields.

ABOUT EARTH'S NATURAL FORCE CONNECTIONS
Earth’s Natural Force is dedicated to ensuring our youth are given every opportunity to thrive in their neighborhoods and communities; develop good habits that will help them maintain healthy bodies and minds and show them how their actions – or lack thereof – can either positively or negatively affect their environment and those who share it with them. We want our young people to understand they can be a force for good and they have the power to save the planet by being responsible citizens of the Earth. They are "Earth’s Natural Force!" For more information, go to www.enfrangers.com or www.onecitygreenfestival.org.

For information on DPR events, programs and activities, be sure to follow DPR on
Facebook, Twitter, Join our Mailing List, Register for a Program or visit the DPR Website.