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

The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) today announced that over 700 District teenagers from wards across the city participated in DPR Teen Nights on Friday, May 2, 2008. During 2008, DPR has hosted 40 Teen Nights across the District, with nearly 4,500 teens attending and all Teen Nights have been free of violence.

Friday night’s DPR Teen Night at the Kennedy Recreation Center, 1401 7th Street NW, brought together a total of 479 District youth, making it the most highly attended, individual DPR Teen Night this year. The event featured live performances by four go-go bands, refreshments, and other activities. At the DPR Teen Night at Fort Davis Recreation Center, 1400 41st Street, SE, teens took part in an “Old School Sock Hop” and 230 teens participated.  

“DPR is reaching new levels of achievement in the area of teen programming,” said DPR Director Clark E. Ray. “The success of DPR Teen Nights reflects Mayor Fenty’s charge to me that DPR provide quality, youth-oriented programming. The numbers speak for themselves and reiterate that District teenagers are a priority for the Mayor and DPR.”

DPR Teen Nights will take place tonight, May 9, 2008 from 7 pm to 12 am at the following locations:

Hearst Recreation Center
3950 37th Street, NW; (202) 282-2207

Bald Eagle Recreation Center
100 Joliet Street, SW; (202) 645-3960

Turkey Thicket Recreation Center
1100 Michigan Avenue, NE; (202) 576-9238

King Greenleaf Recreation Center
201 N Street, SW; (202) 645-7454

DPR Teen Night is a program of the Office of Teen Programs for District teenagers, ages 13 to 19 years old, held at various recreation centers throughout the year on Friday nights from 7 pm - 12 am. DPR Teen Nights are designed for young people by young people, with assistance from DPR staff. The evening’s program involves any number of different recreational, leisure, social and cultural activities, in a safe, healthy, and exciting environment. More information about the DPR Office of Teen Programs and the schedule of upcoming DPR Teen Nights is available on the DPR website, dpr.dc.gov.

For more information: DPR Office of Teen Programs, (202) 671-0423