4130 Albemarle Street, NW
Washington, DC 20016
202.282.0110
282.0112 (fax)
www.janneyschool.org

Turtle Park IS OPEN. MAY FAIR IS ON! We look forward to seeing you at May Fair which will be held as scheduled this Saturday, May 17th from 10-4.

Local news reports from last night suggested that new evidence of arsenic had been found at Turtle Park and that the Park would be closed. These reports were false and premature. At a press conference today Mayor Fenty, Ward 3 Commissioner Mary Cheh, the Director of the DC Department of Environment George Hawkins and the Director of DC Parks and Recreation Department Clark Ray all confirmed that Turtle Park was safe and would remain open and hoped that reports to the contrary would not prevent people from turning out for May Fair this Saturday May 17th from 10-4.

Extensive soil testing for arsenic was done at Turtle Park by the Army Corp of Engineers (ACE) in 2002. The Corp divided the Park into 26 separate areas and took multiple soil samples. The tests showed no significant levels of arsenic. A summary of the findings of the ACE report is at http://turtlepark.org/docs/soil.php.

Today the EPA and the DC Department of Environment came to Turtle Park and conducted on-site tests for arsenic at 6 locations inside the park. Today's test results confirmed results from 2002 - that no significant levels of arsenic exist inside the park. The original testing in 2002 was done, in part, because an aerial survey taken in the year 2000 showed Turtle Park as a potential hot spot for arsenic. This same aerial survey revealed Fort Reno as a potential hot spot. Soil at Fort Reno was tested last month and did reveal high levels of arsenic. As a result of those soil tests, not the aerial survey, Fort Reno Park was closed and will remain closed until further testing can be completed.

We look forward to seeing you at May Fair! Turtle Park would not be the place it is without the care, support and involvement of the community.

Thank you.

Karen Harris
May Fair Event Chair
Friends of Friendship "Turtle" Park Board Member

 

Department of Parks and Recreation

Press Update

For Immediate Release: May 15, 2008

Friendship Recreation Center Remains Open
Local News Inaccurately Reports Soil Contamination

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

(Washington, D.C.) -- The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) this afternoon announced that the Friendship Recreation Center, more commonly known as “Turtle Park”, located at 4500 Van Ness Street, NW, is open.
On Wednesday, May 15, a local news organization inaccurately reported that contaminated soil had been found on site. Based on preliminary findings of the Department of Environment, DPR has been informed that this is report was inaccurate.

DPR will work with city leaders and the local community to ensure that all are kept up to date of any developments. All scheduled weekend events for Friendship Recreation Center will continue as planned.