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Department of Parks and Recreation

Nominate an Arlington Garden
It's time to nominate the prettiest gardens in Arlington for the Landscape Recognition Awards! These awards recognize the extraordinary efforts of commercial, professional and non-profit properties for installing and maintaining attractive landscaping that enhance Arlington's streetscapes. Winners are selected by the Arlington Beautification Committee on the basis of things such as their use of native plants (gardens with invasive plants lose points), the use of landscape design principles, effective year-round maintenance, and effective use of trees, shrubs or perennial plantings. Nominations due June 15. Learn more and download the nomination form.

Carlin Hall Reopening Ribbon Cutting Event
Please join us to celebrate the reopening of Carlin Hall (5711 4th Street South, Arlington, VA 22204) on Saturday, June 1 at 12:15pm! The ribbon cutting will be held as part of the Glencarlyn Day festivities, which will include a parade, fun fair, and lots more. For details on Glencarlyn Day, please visit the Citizens Association's event webpage. For more information about the Carlin Hall renovations, view the February 22 article that ran in The Citizen.

Jamestown Elementary Helping Trees to Breathe Easier
Students, parents, teachers and administrators at Jamestown Elementary joined forces with Arlington County's Remove Invasive Plants program to get rid of the invasive plants that have invaded the school and parkland around the school. Watch this video and learn more about why invasives are bad for the community and what people are doing about it.

Come out on Saturday May 18, 2013 for the annual Turtle Trot 5K!
The race is chip timed and will be held on a certified course in Lower Bluemont park starting at 329 North Manchester St. Check in begins at 9 a.m. and the race starts at 10 a.m. Participants can also enjoy a make it and take it craft project. The registration fee is $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Every year injured turtles and other at-risk wildlife in Arlington are brought in to the Long Branch Nature Center to receive medical attention and undergo rehabilitation before being released back into the wild. Proceeds from this event go towards making this service a reality. Participants can register for the race at ACTIVE.com, or visit the Turtle Trot 5K page for more information.

Arlington County Youth Track & Field Meet
Join us Wednesday, May 22 at Greenbrier Track (Yorktown High School) 5201 N. 28th St. Arlington, VA 22207. This event is open to all boys and girls, 9-14 years of age (age as of 12/31/2013), who are reside in Arlington County. Field events begin at 6pm, running events begin around 6:30pm (check in at 5:45 pm). The top two finishers in each event will qualify for the Hershey Northern Virginia District Meet in early June. Track shoes with or without spikes are not permitted. Please wear regular running shoes or sneakers. No starting blocks are used. To register, complete the registration form online, or call-in or walk-in 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22206. Please register by May 17. For more information, please contact Jennifer Lainhart at 703-228-1809 or visit our Youth Track Meet page.

36th Annual Senior Law Day
Thursday, May 23, 12:30pm - 4:00pm at Fairlington Community Center. This event, presented by age-related agencies, provides informational exhibits on important legal issues for seniors and their families. In addition, the Arlington Sheriff's Office will be issuing free photo identification cards, and the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney will offer free emergency cell phones. Read the Senior Law Day flyer (PDF) or visit the Senior Programs page for more information.

iCan Bike Camp Volunteers Wanted!
Volunteer to change a child's life! iCan Bike (formally Lose the Training Wheels) is designed to help individuals with disabilities learn how to ride a bike independently. Spotters are needed July 29-August 2, 2013 at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)to run alongside the child as they learn, providing physical and emotional support. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and have sufficient stamina and strength to walk and run alongside a bike for 75 minutes. For more information or to volunteer, contact April Rosenthal at arosenthal@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-4736. Read the volunteer PDF.

Enjoy Arlington Summer 2013
Beat the heat and refresh with Enjoy Arlington classes.With classes for all ages—from tot to senior, you are sure to find a perfect fit. We offer a variety of times, locations and topics to accommodate your busy schedule. Focus on fitness with body sculpting, yoga, cardio or dance aerobics for the whole family. Channel your inner artist with Do-It-Yourself projects making jewelry pieces. Browse all of our offerings: introduce your child to a new sport, sharpen social skills, train your dog and more! We also offer adapted programs for individuals with disabilities. Online and mail-in registration begin 5/22 (please note that we will no longer accept faxed registrations or American Express). Phone and walk-in registration begin 5/29. Fee reductions available see page 17 and 19 for more information. Non-resident registration begins 6/5.

55+ May/June Registration
Unleash the power of age with 55+ membership! Help us celebrate Older Americans month with social events to keep you connected, fitness classes to get you moving, financial advice to live, tips for retirement, entertaining trips and more! Browse the latest 55+ Guide (PDF) for our latest offerings−learn a new sport, brush up on a second language or create a work of art! Most programs are free if you have a 55+ Pass. Visit the 55+ Guide page to learn how to register online, by phone or in person.

2013 Notable Trees Recognized
Since 1987 Arlington County has recognized outstanding community trees as part of the Notable Tree Program. This year, 19 trees were awarded the designation at the April recessed Board Meeting. Learn more about this year's notable trees and how you can nominate your favorite tree for next year's award.

Tree Canopy Fund
Want to plant a tree in your yard or common ground? Entering its 4th year, The Tree Canopy Fund gives grants to community groups to plant and maintain trees on private property. Eligible groups include civic and homeowner associations, community nonprofit organizations, civic service clubs, school-related groups, and ad hoc neighborhood groups. Individuals may also apply for grants for maintenance to be performed on specific trees that have been designated by Arlington County through their Champion Tree Program and Tree and Shrub Ordinance. Grant applications will be accepted through June 22. The goal of the fund, which is administered by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Arlington County Urban Forestry Commission, is to preserve and develop Arlington’s tree canopy. For more information visit the Tree Canopy Fund website.

Parents Night Out
Forget hiring a babysitter; drop your kids off, ages 4-11, and enjoy a night on the town! There are two remaining Fridays scheduled for a Parents Night Out this Spring: May 31 and June 14 from 6-10pm at Walter Reed Community Center (2909 16th Street South, Arlington). While you revel in your night off, your children will enjoy face painting, balloon art, make and take art projects, healthy snacks, movies, a bounce house (when space permits), field games and more! $25 for the first child; $15 each additional sibling. To register: Please call 703-228-4747, or register online and reference Activity Code (available on event flyer (PDF)). For more information, contact: Desi Jerry 703-228-7781 (Se Habla Espanol 703-228-7783) TTY number 703-228-4743. Please register at least three business days before the event.

Save the Date - July 4th Event
Arlington's signature July 4th event will return in 2013! On Thursday, July 4, all are welcome to participate in the festivities at Long Bridge Park (475 Long Bridge Drive). The event will begin at 3pm with a food truck rally, arts and crafts market, free fitness activities for all ages, live music, and lots more. Interested in being an event partner or vendor? Email lbarragan@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-3329 for details on how to get involved.

Learn, Play and Grow this Summer!
Plan your summer fun today with Arlington County 2013 Summer Camp Guide! The latest camp listings are now available online (in mailboxes in early February) including a range of topics for all ages from tots to teens: creative arts, sports, nature, adventure, history and more. Choose from over 100 different camps at a variety of times and locations to assist with your busy schedule. Resident online, fax and mail-in registration has begun. Camps begin June 24, 2013. Don't let fee be a barrier to your summer camp activities. You may qualify for a fee reduction. For more information, visit the Summer Camps page.