Tues. May 2, 2018
DowntownDC BID, Mount Vernon Triangle CID and Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs Join to Support ‘Discover Chinatown Parks’
WASHINGTON, DC — Free movie nights, concerts, farmers markets and more return this spring and summer as part of “Discover Chinatown Parks,” a unique programming series supported jointly by the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), the Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District (MVT CID) and the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA).
The three entities first joined together in 2017 to provide free community programming in Chinatown Park and Milian Park (5th Street & Massachusetts Ave NW) and have brought the series back for a second year, adding new programming, streamlining others and bringing the community more fun and more entertainment.
On Saturday, May 5, the series will officially kick off in Milian Park with “Spring Fest in the Triangle,” featuring face painting, activities and games for kids, live music from Snakehead Run, smoothie samples and the opening day of the FRESHFARM Mount Vernon Triangle Farmers Market.
Programming will be offered on a regular, rotating schedule in Chinatown and Milian Parks throughout the spring and summer.
“Through our joint programming efforts last year as well as the addition of our bistro tables and chairs and our temporary ‘Fancy Animal Carnival’ art installation, these parks have successfully grown into more active, useful spaces,” said DowntownDC BID President & CEO Neil Albert. “This year will be the continuation of that evolution and further positive change for our shared community.”
“As the population of District residents who live downtown continues to grow, increasing opportunities to bring people together through fun and engaging programming and partnerships like Discover Chinatown Parks has been a heightened area of focus—and is the heart of building community,” said Mount Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District President and CEO Kenyattah Robinson.
“It is our vision for Chinatown Parks to serve not only as welcoming, green spaces for District residents, but also as a key gateway into Chinatown.” said Director David Do of the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs. “We are excited about this continued partnership with Downtown BID and Mount Vernon Triangle CID to offer a robust schedule of summer programming that celebrates, promotes, and facilitates understanding of AAPI cultures.”
Visitors will continue to have access to outdoor tables and chairs from the DowntownDC BID and MVT CID.
Programming highlights include:
- Outdoor movies
- FRESHFARM Market
- Children’s Story Hour
- Concerts
- Friday night block parties
- Tai Chi and more!
Program partners include FRESHFARM Markets, Words Beats & Life, Inc., the National Park Service, the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, 450 K and the DC Public Library.
All activities are free and will rotate daily from May through October. Click here to view full details on the Discover Chinatown Parks event flyer.
Chinatown Park and Milian Park are U.S. National Park Service reservations. They are located at 5th Street & Massachusetts Avenue NW at the intersection of the DowntownDC BID and MVT CID.