The National Park Service “National Capital Parks-East” (NACE) sends out a partner newsletter every quarter, and we’ve copied it here for you to read. If you are interested in getting this newsletter by email, contact Pya Langley.

Partner Newsletter: Fall

Autumn is almost here! As the leaves start to change and we turn the corner into September, we want to highlight the summer's activities and programs and share our upcoming engagement opportunities.

We look forward to our continued partnership on joint programs and our celebration of the environment and history as we connect to the many youth and families in our communities.

Anacostia Park's Two-Day Centennial Celebration!

Last weekend, Anacostia Park celebrated 100 years! Thank you to all those who came and participated. The celebration kicked off with a concert that celebrated the flavor of musical performances from the Summer in the Park era with R&B and GoGo music. On Saturday, the festivities continued along the river where the Anacostia Watershed Society and the Anacostia Riverkeeper offered boat tours on the river, a fishing derby, and a ranger led bike tour with the Washington Area Bicycle Association. The morning also included fitness classes and cleanup activities in Anacostia Park and Greenbelt Park. Other activities centered around the pavilion and included hands on arts activities, a photo booth and more. The grand finale was a disco skate party with performances, lots of skating and birthday cake!

Summer Successes

Greenbelt Trail Crew

Greenbelt Park hosted several service-oriented events this summer focused on maintaining and enhancing facilities within Greenbelt Park. The Greenbelt Trail Crew performed three monthly events that removed vegetation and improved trails throughout the park to benefit visitors. Greenbelt Park also received support from the Student Conservation Association.

Annual Lotus & Water Lily Festival + Peak Week

The Lotus and Water Lily Festival was highly successful in spite of substantial rain all weekend. New this year was a morning yoga class, boardwalk talks by park rangers, a wild animal show, and new musical and dance performances. The festival was followed by peak week which featured the Bureau of Land Management, Alice Ferguson Foundation, Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and more. The D.C. Office of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Marine Corps participated to honor Walter Shaw, a Civil War veteran who developed the garden from former ice ponds.

National Park Foundation Grant

As part of a three-year effort to revitalize Anacostia Park, the National Park Foundation announced a $861,000 grant to help the park strengthen philanthropic ties and highlight the park's unique recreational and educational activities. The grant will also fund a partnership landscape assessment to identify a long-term local philanthropic partner for the park.

Spotlight: National Public Lands Day

Saturday September 22, 2018, is the 25th Annual Celebration of National Public Lands Day. If you volunteer on this day, you will receive a fee-free day coupon to be used at a fee park on a future date. Here is how National Capital Parks-East is participating:

Saturday Sep. 22

At Greenbelt Park from 8:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. stewardship opportunities, including trail maintenance and playground area cleanups, will be offered with support from the National Parks Conservation Association.

For more information contact the Ranger Station at (301)-344-3944

At Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., volunteers will work in the ponds removing lotus and invasive plants or performing other park projects. The event will run rain or shine—please dress accordingly. Lunch will be provided.

For more information contact: Julie Kutruff

Sunday, Sep. 23rd

There will be a community park cleanup at Oxon Hill Farm Park at 1:00 p.m. Staff and volunteers will meet at the visitor center and clean the cove area of Oxon Hill Farm.

For more information contact: Adam Gresek

Upcoming Events

Frederick Douglass Community Day

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site will host its annual Community Day on Sunday, October 14, 2018, from 12 to 4 p.m. Friends and neighbors can spend the afternoon at Douglass's Cedar Hill estate and learn how to make ice cream with a churner, practice military drills like a Civil War soldier, play lawn games, make a craft, tour Frederick Douglass's home, and check in with local organizations who serve our community. For more information contact Julie Kutruff.

Meuse-Argonne Offensive 100th Anniversary

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the US involvement in WWI and the largest battle ever fought by the US military, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, Fort Washington Park is partnering with Alvin York Tennessee State Historic Site to put on a WWI weekend Sep. 22 and 23. See what the U.S. Army of 1918 wore into battle and learn how Fort Washington was prepared to repel an enemy fleet with the Coastal Defense Study Group.

We have many more events coming up over the next three months! For a full itinerary, click here.

Announcements

Frederick Douglass’ Annual Oratorical Contest for youth will be held this year on Nov. 16 and Nov. 17

The next National Capital Region Partners Bi-Monthly Call is: Friday October 5, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. If you do not get reminders for these calls, please email Duncan Dodson to be added to the listserv.

Updates from the National Park Service - Fall 2018