Media Only Contact:  John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR)

This morning, Clark E. Ray, director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced that Positive Nature, Inc., a nonprofit organization which provides structured, strengths-based therapeutic services to at-risk and emotionally-disturbed youth through comprehensive, family-focused programs, will assume all programming of its Therapeutic Recreation Center (TR Center), 3030 G Street, SE.

Moreover, the agency’s certified therapeutic recreation program staff from the TR Center will be re-distributed to other DPR recreation centers throughout the District to expand its special needs programming in multiple locations. 

“This is a day of great significance for our agency,” stated Director Ray. “This agreement marks the first time where one of our partners will be fully programming a DPR facility. This has been part of my vision for this agency and now has become reality.”

Per the new partnership, for the next three years Positive Nature will coordinate a variety of programs for individuals with disabilities and/or special needs on behalf of DPR, including the Leisure Life Skills Program (LLS),  Life Enrichment Program for Teens and Young Adults, Senior Exercise Programs, Hydrotherapy Programs, Camp Adventure, Camp Funward Bound and Let’s Play Together-Inclusion Camp. Additionally, Positive Nature will bring its own array of programs and classes and thereby enhance the number and quality of offerings in the area of Therapeutic Recreation.

"In a time when children are a renewed focus across the city, we are more than excited to be launching this unique partnership with DPR to provide a wide range of therapeutic services and programs,” said Brian Bailey, Co-Founder of Positive Nature, Inc. “We believe in the power of radical positivity and we remain positive by choice and children by nature."

Through the agreement, DPR will provide one staff member on site during the Center’s hours of operation, a janitorial/maintenance staff member for daily upkeep of the site, and will collaborate with Positive Nature, Inc in order to ensure that adequate recreational, classroom and office space is available. Four DPR staff persons will also remain for the TR Center’s aquatics facility.

Additionally, on Monday, September 15 from 11 am to 3 pm, Positive Nature will host an open house at which parents and guardians of those with disabilities and/or special needs can meet and greet staff members as well as register for the upcoming fall program year.

For more information on the DPR/Positive Nature, Inc. Open House, contact the TR Center at (202) 698-1794.   For more information on this partnership or to become a DPR partner, contact the DPR Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 671-1462 or by email at DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.