DPR Media Contacts:
John Stokes, (202) 288-7275, [email protected]
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) recently announced it presented the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) with the USTA Organization Member of the Year Award. The national award is given annually to an organization that provides outstanding service to its members and to the local community. DPR was honored at the USTA Annual Meeting and Conference on April 11, 2015 in Boca Raton, Florida.
“The District is committed to offering high-quality services and programs that create healthy, vibrant communities,” said Mayor Muriel Bowser. “DPR’s tennis facilities give residents from all 8 wards, regardless of address, age or skill level, access to world-class facilities. Through my Administration’s FitDC initiative, we will continue to expand health and wellness opportunities for everyone.”
DPR’s Tennis Division offers programmatic and competitive opportunities for youth and adults regardless of their age, skill level or economic status through instructional programs, play days, tournaments, competitive leagues and social tennis events. The Division is responsible for the oversight of more than 140 tennis courts throughout the District of Columbia as well as myriad citywide tennis programs, tennis training sessions and tennis events annually on local, regional and national levels.
“Tennis is a sport that can be played for life. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation has developed tennis programming and activities that creatively grow and promote the game of tennis for children, youth, adults and seniors of all skill levels,” said Katrina Adams, President, USTA. “DPR is an organization that is passionate about tennis and USTA is proud to recognize their achievements.”
Recently DPR unveiled the $18 million renovation on the District’s crown jewel tennis facility - the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC) - which transformed, expanded, and enhanced the center facilities. In partnership with the Recreation Wish List Committee (RWLC), founded by Cora Masters Barry, the tennis hub will also provide a unique opportunity to expand and launch additional educational, cultural, enrichment and athletic programs to serve children and families.
“We are extremely honored to receive such a prestigious award from USTA,” said DPR Acting Director Keith A. Anderson. “Our tennis program is one way we reach out to residents of DC to encourage active, fit lives and we look forward to continuing to expand the game of tennis in DC,” Anderson continued.
Tennis programs are available in all eight wards of the city and ninety percent of the programs are free to DC residents. In addition, DPR hosts 14 after-school tennis programs annually, 10 after-summer camp programs seasonally, all-day tennis summer camps, 40 tennis enhancement summer programs, special needs tennis programs and senior tennis programs. In 2014, more than 1,000 kids were exposed to tennis through DPR summer camps and programming. Kids in summer programs regularly receive free breakfast and lunch. In addition DPR started “Tennis Under the Lights”, an extremely popular evening free tennis social series.
The USTA Annual Meeting and Conference brings together USTA leadership, national staff, national committee members and section volunteers and staff in pursuit of the USTA mission: to promote and develop the growth of tennis.
About DPR
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) provides quality urban recreation and leisure services for residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. DPR supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, swimming pools and spray parks, and neighborhood recreation centers. The agency also coordinates a wide variety of recreation and educational programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities.
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