The Washington City Paper released their annual "Best of DC" special edition highlighting the Department of Parks and Recreation in numerous categories.

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WASHINGTON, DC – Today the Washington City Paper released their annual "Best of DC" special edition. The "best of" list highlights aspects that make the District a great place to live, work, and play. Results are broken down into four sections: Arts & Entertainment, Food & Drink, Goods & Services, and People & Places. This year, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) received recognition in three categories.  

1) Best Evidence of Your Local Tax Dollars at Work
DPR Aquatics received a special recognition for the numerous outdoor pools they manage and staff every summer as a free service to District residents. The article summarizes the history of swimming in DC from the closing of the Potomac River beach to the popularity of Upshur Pool in Northwest, DC. To read the full article click here.

2) Best Civil Servant
The City Paper staff chose John Stokes, DPR's Chief of Staff, as the best civil servant in the District. The article describes Mr. Stokes as a person “…who gets things done and he’s so everywhere sometimes it seems like there’s more than one John Stokes." To read the full article click here.

3) Best Subcuture
The best subculture highlights DPR's management of the DC Pop Warner Football league. Staff writer Dave McKenna writes, "Since the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation took over the administration of several youth football leagues, the city has routinely produced Pop Warner national champions." To read the full article click here.