Turtle Park551

Turtle Park (which is officially called Friendship Park) is a city favorite. The playground is fenced, and very large and shaded, with benches all around, and play equipment suited to many ages. The key attraction for the little ones is the enormous sand box, which almost always has shovels and buckets lying around if you forget to bring your own. In the summer the sprayground is usually turned on as well. There are also adjoining tennis courts, playing fields, and a Rec Center (which means bathrooms!). Every May Turtle Park holds a fundraiser featuring games, crafts, a moonbounce, and pony rides.

The Rec Center is home to a co-op preschool, summer camp, and cold weather story/craft times for the toddler set. Learning Through Play is a 50+ year old tradition of cooperative play programs that operate out of DC Recreation Centers. Programs operate with one full-time teacher and parents are required to work one day a week per child. Children need to be two and a half years of age and potty trained to participate. The school year runs from mid-September through the end of May, 9am to 12n, Monday through Friday. Call the DCDPR Office of Education Services at 202.282.0710 for more information.

Story Time and Turtle Time, are winter traditions enjoyed by parents, caregivers, and pre-schoolers. Parent volunteers read stories, lead a craft project and provide a snack. Crafts include glitter glue (a favorite), beading, coloring, painting, lacing, and foam cut-outs. Parents and caregivers give donations to cover the costs of crafts, games, snacks, and coffee. Contact Turtle Park or visit the website for current schedule.