Today, Mayor Bowser celebrated the opening of Friendship “Turtle” Park Recreation Center in Ward 3 with a Family Fun Day that featured a moon bounce, face painting, refreshments, and a screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Mayor was joined by Ward 3 Councilmember Mary Cheh, Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Director Keith Anderson, representatives from the Department of General Services, and members of the Ward 3 community.
“Turtle Park is a tremendous example of what we can create when the government works hand-in-hand with the community to build a resource that fits the needs of the neighborhood,” said Mayor Bowser. “Recreation centers are a staple of neighborhoods across DC, and this beautiful new facility, which is helping us build a healthier and more sustainable DC, will benefit residents of every age for years to come.”
The new $7.1 million, 4,500 square-foot Turtle Park Recreation Center includes:
- community room that can hold up to 125 people,
- lobby/gallery to display local art,
- dedicated kids/craft room for the local co-op,
- restrooms that will be accessible even when the facility is closed,
- tot lot and upper playground,
- basketball court,
- tennis courts,
- exterior seating,
- new splash pad, and
- upgraded landscaping.
Additionally, the new recreation center is eco-friendly, energy efficient, and designed and constructed for LEED Silver certification.
“At the Department of General Services, we are honored to have partnered directly with the Department of Parks and Recreation, and most importantly, members of the community, to design this new recreation center. Our goal is to elevate the quality of life for District residents and receiving direct community feedback is the key to meeting this goal,” said DGS Director Greer Johnson Gillis.
Friendship “Turtle Park” Recreation Center marks the completion of the fifth recreation center modernization during the Bowser Administration. Previously completed modernizations include the Ridge Road, Benning-Stoddert, Kenilworth, and Fort Stevens Recreation Centers which mark $54 million in facilities investments across the District. Currently, the Palisades and Marvin Gaye Recreations Centers are undergoing modernization and both the Edgewood Recreation Center and the East Potomac Pool are slated to begin modernizations this year.