Media Only Contact: MosesAlexander Greene, (202) 673-7684

Today, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that the Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID) will partner with DPR and the National Cherry Blossom Festival to plant cherry blossom trees in the District’s central business district.

On Tuesday, April 8 at 3 pm, the Golden Triangle BID will host a cherry blossom tree-planting ceremony at the DPR triangle park at the intersection of 21st Street, M Street, and New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

The event will include the planting of a trio of cherry blossom trees and speeches made by community leaders to include Clark E. Ray, director of Department of Parks and Recreation; Carlton Diehl, board president of the Golden Triangle BID; Diana Mayhew, president of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Misako Ito, director of the Japanese Information and Culture Center.

Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Ward 5 Councilmember and Chair of the Committee on Libraries, Parks and Recreation, and Jack Evans, Ward 2 Councilmember, have been invited.

Ongoing care of the trees will be managed by the Golden Triangle BID’s Ambassador program in partnership with DPR.

WHAT: Cherry Blossom Tree-Planting Ceremony

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 3 pm – 3:30 pm

WHERE: Triangle Park at the Intersection of 21st Street, M Street, and New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

VISUALS AND INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

• Final cherry blossom tree planting
• Clark E. Ray, Department of Parks and Recreation, Director
• Leona Agouridis, Golden Triangle BID, Executive Director
• Carlton Diehl, Golden Triangle BID, Board President
• Diana Mayhew, National Cherry Blossom Festival, President
• Misako Ito, Japanese Information and Culture Center, Director
• Jack Evans, Councilmember, Ward 2 (Invited)
• Harry “Tommy” Thomas, Jr., Councilmember, Ward 5 (Invited)

About Department of Parks and Recreation
The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) presents quality urban recreation and leisure services to residents and visitors to the District of Columbia. The agency supervises and maintains area parks, community facilities, and neighborhood recreation centers as well as coordinates a wide variety of programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, child care services, and senior citizen activities. Adaptive programs and facilities are available for persons with disabilities. 

About Golden Triangle Business Improvement District (BID)
The Golden Triangle BID is a private organization that works to enhance DC’s Central Business District from the White House to Dupont Circle and 16th Street, NW to 21st Street, NW.  The BID’s primary focus is to provide a clean, safe and friendly environment within its 42 blocks of public space for area workers and visitors. For further information on the Golden Triangle BID, call (202) 463-3400 or visit www.gtbid.com.