April 14, 2023
Dear Washingtonians,
It's been a beautiful week in Washington, DC. The sun was out. We expanded hours at 22 additional recreation centers. My team and I were out at community meetings across DC discussing the Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal with residents. And throughout the week, we had the opportunity to not just talk about DC's comeback, but share stories of how we are making the comeback real for our residents and for our city.
On Monday, we heard from a Lachey — a DC resident who is using the Career MAP program to, in her own words, not just prepare for a job, but to establish a career. Career MAP is a unique and powerful program that allows residents who have experienced a housing crisis to grow their careers without worrying that, in doing so, they will lose the benefits they need to take care of their families. The FY24 budget includes $13 million to support 600 DC residents enrolled in Career MAP.
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Then, on Wednesday, I joined community partners at Washington Union Station to kick off Jazz in Bloom, a new concert series that will take place throughout the spring. We know that an important part of our comeback involves activating spaces in new ways and bringing more people downtown — live music in Union Station will do both. So will more festivals downtown, and more housing, and more renovated parks – like doing at Farragut Square what we've been able to do at Franklin Park – that allow us to enjoy our beautiful city.
As I think about our comeback, I'm thinking about what Lachey said on Monday: "Work on your dreams, you deserve to fulfill them." Let's remember that as we head into a weekend of DC Emancipation Day celebrations; let's remember how far our city has come and the dreams we still need to achieve.
Sincerely,
 Join Mayor Bowser for a weekend of DC Emancipation Day festivities. DC Emancipation Day honors the day President Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, which freed over 3,100 enslaved persons in the District of Columbia.
Saturday
Emancipation Day Parade, Fireworks, and Concert: On Saturday, April 15, head to Freedom Plaza for the annual Emancipation Day Parade and Concert. This year's concert includes Dru Hill, Rakim, Black Alley, and more!
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DC Emancipation Day Parade @ 2:00 p.m. | Parade kicks off at Pennsylvania Ave NW Between 10th and 14th Streets NW
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DC Emancipation Day Concert @ 3:00 p.m. at Freedom Plaza
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Fireworks Show @ 8:30 p.m. at Freedom Plaza
Learn more HERE.
Sunday
Family Fun Day at Black Lives Matter Plaza: On Sunday, April 16 at 10:00 a.m., the DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment, and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation will host Family Fun Day at Black Lives Matter Plaza. The activation will feature live radio broadcasts and music from Gospel, R&B, and Go-Go artists, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Washington, DC. Cast members of the The Giz, an adaptation of The Wiz, will take the stage to highlight the hit musical. In addition, Sunday’s event will include food trucks as well as fitness activities, games for kids, and other fun activities for the whole family. The activation will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday
District Day at the National Museum of African American History and Culture: On Monday, April 17 at 10:00 a.m., the Mayor’s Office on African American Affairs invites DC residents to enjoy a special Emancipation Day celebration that includes live performances, guided conversations, and a special District Day menu from the Sweet Home Café.
Registration is required to attend. Register HERE
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 This week, the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced expanded hours at 22 additional DPR recreation centers. These 22 sites are in addition to the eight sites that expanded their hours last month.
The updated hours for the following locations are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Arthur Capper Community Center (1000 5th Street SE)
- Bald Eagle Recreation Center (100 Joleit Street SE)
- Benning Stoddert Recreation Center (100 Stoddert Place SE)
- Chevy Chase Community Center (5601 Connecticut Avenue NW)
- Ferebee-Hope Recreation Center (700 Yuma Street SE)
- Fort Davis Recreation Center (4100 41st Street SE)
- Fort Stanton Recreation Center (1812 Erie Street SE)
- Hillcrest Recreation Center (3100 Denver St SE)
- King-Greenleaf Recreation Center (201 N Street SW)
- Lamond Recreation Center (20 Tuckerman St NE)
- North Michigan Park Recreation Center (1333 Emerson St NE)
- Palisades Recreation Center and Playground (5200 Sherier Pl NW)
- Raymond Recreation Center and Playground (3725 10th Street NW)
- Riggs-Lasalle Recreation Center (501 Riggs Rd NE)
- Ridge Road Community Center (830 Ridge Road SE)
- Sherwood Recreation Center (640 10th Street NE)
- Trinidad Recreation Center (1310 Childress Street NE)
- Woody Ward Community Center (5100 Southern Ave SE)
The updated hours for the following locations are Monday through Friday, 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Arboretum Community Center (2412 Rand Place NE)
- Shepherd Park Community Center (1425 Jonquil St NW)
- Marvin Gaye (15 61st St NE)
- Guy Mason Community Center (3600 Calvert St NW)
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 As DC Public Schools begins Spring Break, Mayor Bowser and the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are encouraging families to take advantage of daytime and evening recreation opportunities for youth.
Activities include esports, a volleyball clinic, a spring fling, open gyms, aquatics classes, a crank music open house, and more!
Learn more HERE.
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