Media Contact Only: John A. Stokes, (202) 673-2195 (DPR); Jack Pfeiffer, (202) 727-1751 (EOM)
Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director Ximena Hartsock, joined District officials and the Ward 4 community for a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new athletic field at Emery Recreation Center in Northwest.
DPR, in partnership with the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development, converted the existing, and heavily used, natural grass baseball/softball diamond and football field into a new FieldTurf artificial turf playing surface. The new FieldTurf athletic field features a 60-foot baseball/softball diamond, and line overlays for football and soccer practice fields. New dugouts and backstop fencing were also installed for the baseball/softball field.
"Making investments in our neighborhoods and our recreation facilities remains a priority for the District," said Mayor Fenty. "Capital improvement projects like the one here at Emery provide great recreational opportunities for our residents in their communities."
DPR also improved the outdoor basketball court at Emery Recreation Center. DPR expanded the court to a regulation high-school court, installed a new playing surface, and new basketball backboards and hoops.
"DPR is working hard to enhance the programs and the facilities we provide for District residents," said DPR Acting Director Ximena Hartsock. "Completing work on the new athletic field and basketball court at Emery Recreation Center, and opening them for daily use is an opportunity for us to fulfill both of those goals."
Select the link below to view photos from the event from DPR's Flickr photostream*:
For information on how to support or contribute to the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, please contact DPR's Office of Partnerships and Development at (202) 258-6021 or DPRpartnerships@dc.gov.
*Note: Some links provided on dc.gov or other DC government websites may display vendor logos, banners, or similar identification. Such links are used for operational reasons only and do not constitute or imply any endorsement of any vendor or its product.