DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR Media Contacts: 
Michael Tucker Jr., (202) 717-4242, [email protected]
Gregory Jackson Jr., (202) 714-9550, [email protected]

(Washington, DC) - Today, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will gather nearly 200 third graders in Ward 7 to celebrate Earth Month with three hours of organic gardening, solar cake baking, soap-making, painting and music at Lederer Youth Garden (4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Avenue NE) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

While borrowing inspiration from the famous Coachella Festival set in a Californian desert, MOECHELLA instead takes place in one of District’s food deserts, which lacks places to purchase fresh produce. Third graders from Burrville, Houston and Neval Thomas Elementary Schools will be bussed to Lederer with the mission to activate the food and intergenerational learning space to encourage a more thriving and sustainable Ward 7

“Lederer Youth Garden has been a community garden in the Deanwood neighborhood for over forty years,” said DPR Director Keith A. Anderson." "Changing the mindset of the community to grow, move, be green and think inside the gardening box starts with the youth.”

MOECHELLA allows DPR to partner with a host of youth-serving city agencies, organizations and individuals including: DC Public Schools, Broccoli City, The Green Scheme, Cataleya Soaps, Bodied by Vegan and Rikasso Arts. Entertainment includes musicians Reesa Renee and Chelly the MC.  All involved will work together to create an engaging atmosphere of D.C. culture, creativity and green lifestyle for the children in attendance. 

Lederer Youth Garden is a program of DC Department of Parks and Recreation, and consists of 40 children's plots (5′x15′) and 20 adult plots (10′x15′).

The event is closed to the general public. The event is open to press. Contact [email protected] for more information.

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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.