DPR Customer Service: (202) 673-7647
DPR Aquatics Office: (202) 671-1289
DPR Media Contacts: Michael Tucker Jr., (202) 717-4242, [email protected]

(Washington, DC) - The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced select DPR Aquatic Centers will be closed due to this year's 32nd Annual Black History Invitational Swim Meet (BHISM) taking place February 16 - 18, 2018.

This unique event was co-founded in 1987 by DPR and the United Black Fund, Inc. (UBF) in honor of Black History Month. During the three-day invitational, over 1000 youth athletes nationwide ranging in age from 5 – 18 will compete in standard swim events, such as the individual medley, freestyle, butterfly, relays, and back and breast strokes. The swim teams come from Los Angeles, Atlanta, Detroit, Cleveland, New York and other metropolitan areas in the United States.

Takoma Aquatic Center (300 Van Buren St., NW) will close on Thursday, February 15 at noon. Takoma Aquatic Center will serve as the host site for the BHISM and will be closed for public swimming through Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

Wilson Aquatic Center (4551 Fort Drive. NW), Barry Farm Aquatic Center (1230 Sumner Rd., SE), and Deanwood Aquatic Center (1350 49th St. NE) will be open for public swim only (no classes will be held) during their normal operating hours on Friday, February 16 through Sunday, February 18, 2018.

All other DPR aquatic centers will be closed starting on Friday, February 16 and will reopen on Tuesday, February 20, 2018.

NOTE: All DPR facilities (including all aquatic centers) will be closed on Monday, February 19, 2018, in observance of Presidents’ Day. For more information about BHISM, please visit dpr.dc.gov.

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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.