News Release

National Park Service and United States Park Police Host National Night Out Bike and Trail Safety

Date: July 31, 2015
Contact: Julie Kutruff, 202-426-5961
Contact: Sgt. Lelani Woods, 202-619-7163

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 31, 2015

National Park Service and United States Park Police Host

National Night Out Bike and Trail Safety event in River Terrace Park

WASHINGTON, DC - On Tuesday, August 4th the National Park Service, the United States Park Police and the Metropolitan Police Department will host a National Night Out event beginning at 5:00 p.m. at River Terrace Park which is located just off of Benning Road on Anacostia Avenue NE and Dix Street NE. This event will highlight the Anacostia River Trail which runs through River Terrace and will focus on bike and trail safety. The event will feature a bike ride with officers from US Park Police and Metropolitan Police Department at 5:45 p.m., bike safety checks and tune-ups, free face painting, exhibits about trail and nature safety, music by DJ Delight and a showcase of Park Police and Metropolitan Police Department units to educate the community on various elements of law enforcement.

This family friendly event will also feature a free outdoor showing of "Planes- Fire and Rescue" at 8:15p.m. so everyone is encouraged to bring a blanket or chairs to watch the movie. There will be free popcorn for the movie and other treats.

National Night Out is an annual event that has been held across the country since 1984 on the first Tuesday in August. It is a police awareness-raising event that is held to introduce communities to local law enforcement and to highlight crime prevention, neighborhood watch programs and other safety related issues that may be relevant to a particular community.

River Terrace is one area of Anacostia Park and is operated by the National Park Service. The park maybe reached by taking Benning Road to Anacostia Ave. NE. From the Minnesota Avenue Metro, the park can be reached on foot or by Capital Bikeshare by taking Minnesota Avenue to Benning Road and turning right and traveling approx. 1⁄2 mile and turning left on Anacostia Avenue. The park borders the Anacostia River. There is a Capital Bikeshare station on the corner of Anacostia Avenue.