THE LEAFLET

What a fantastic day we had at the DC State Fair this past Saturday! It was a vibrant celebration of community and environmental stewardship at Franklin Park, and Casey Trees was thrilled to be a part of it.

Franklin Park has a rich history dating back to 1832 when Congress purchased the land to protect its natural springs, which were a vital water source for the White House. Originally known as “Fountain Square,” it was not designated as a park in Pierre L’Enfant’s original city plan. The park underwent several transformations over the years, serving as an encampment for soldiers during the Civil War and receiving major landscaping improvements in the 1870s. In 1935, the Public Works Administration funded a significant renovation, adding a fountain, flagstone plaza, and new pathways.

Franklin Park Children’s Garden.

After years of neglect, the park underwent a $21 million renovation in 2021, funded by the DC Government. This latest renovation restored the central fountain, added interactive water features, a children’s garden, improved seating, and added 119 trees to the park! Today, Franklin Park is managed through a unique partnership between the National Park Service, the Downtown DC Business Improvement District, and the DC government, making it a vibrant urban space for residents, workers, and visitors.

Our team had the pleasure of connecting with so many enthusiastic DC residents who share our passion for a greener city. It was inspiring to see such a strong commitment to our local environment and to engage in meaningful conversations about how we can all contribute to a healthier, more sustainable urban landscape.

We were also delighted to reunite with our amazing partners, including the Student Conservation Association (SCA), Zenith Community Art’s Foundation (ZCAF) with their incredible mobile woodshop, the University of the District of Columbia, DC Water, and many more! It’s always wonderful to collaborate with organizations that are equally dedicated to making a difference in our community.

Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick leading an educational discussion on tree health.

A standout moment of the day was Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick’s engaging discussion on the DC Master Naturalist Program and tree health. Her insights and expertise sparked lively conversations and deepened our collective understanding of how we can all help our urban forests thrive.

The fair also featured a fantastic Agriculture competition, including a category for best compost sponsored by Casey Trees! The compost was judged on criteria such as consistency, smell, and moisture level. We were thrilled to see Joe Garman, assistant professor at Georgetown University, win first place for best compost in his very first year of competing! Congratulations to Joe for his exceptional compost and enthusiasm.

We hope you were able to join us and enjoyed the sense of community and togetherness that the fair provided. It was a wonderful reminder of the power of coming together to support and celebrate our shared love for the environment.

Thank you for being a part of the DC State Fair and for making it such a memorable event. We look forward to seeing you at our next gathering and continuing our journey together towards a greener, more vibrant DC!