of visitors to our Arboretum display continues to grow. Between the two locations, we could have 80 to 90,000 people learning about the benefits of turfgrass.”

The National Cherry Blossom Festival “Petal” to the Parks Bike Ride

Festival’s mascot, Petals, a charming gnome. Of course he and Morris shared information on the displays with the riders, inviting them to interact with the turf as they learned about it.

As Rinehart notes, such events contribute to the bigger picture, the continuing efforts to work with the NPS on developing the National Greenscapes Corridor concept. It’s a collaborative effort among the U.S. National Arboretum, the National Mall, and Arlington National Cemetery, all top stops for national and international tourists. “Te NGC seeks to promote public awareness of the use of turfgrass and turf ’s role in these iconic places, how turfgrass contributes to the functional, cultural and historical significance of these places, and how the inputs used to maintain these areas produce many benefits for society.”

Geoffrey Rinehart, Grass Roots Initiative coordinator, welcomes the “Petal” to the Parks bike riders and talks turf with them. Photo courtesy of ‘Grass Roots’

Rinehart says, “Tis is the second year ‘Grass Roots’ has partnered with the Cherry Blossom Festival on a bike ride. Tey want to broaden their reach to all potential visitors. By working with them and connecting with their public relations and marketing expertise, we can introduce a wider audience to the benefits of turfgrass.”

Most people don’t realize that all of the city parks in Washington D.C. are run by the National Parks Service (NPS). To tie into the centennial year for NPS, the Cherry Blossom Festival selected “Connecting People to Parks” as their theme and several parks were visited by the nearly 40 riders that gathered on May 15. Park Rangers met the group at each park site, talking turf and answering questions. Te Bike Ride is made possible through partnerships with BicycleSPACE, NPS, the National Arboretum and NTF. Participants, including Kevin Morris, gathered in the DuPont Circle area of DC to begin the 13-mile ride. Tey rode through Georgetown; stopped at Rock Creek Park; then pedaled to “America’s front yard,” the National Mall. During that stop, the riders learned a bit about the historic landscape and details of the Mall renovation. With the sustainable subsurface work completed, the last green component was added by installation of approximately a half million square feet of sod, supplied by New Jersey- based Tuckahoe Turf Farms, Inc.

Ten the bikers wound through Anacostia Park, a multi- attraction facility that borders the Anacostia River. Te ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit was their last stop where Rinehart greeted them with snacks and drinks. He encouraged them to join in a scavenger hunt for the Cherry Blossom

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Kevin Morris, NTF president, answers questions for fellow “Petal” to the Parks riders at the ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit. Photo by Geoffrey Rinehart, ‘Grass Roots’

National Golf Day—National

Turfgrass Federation Day on the Hill May 18, 2016, was the ninth year for National Golf Day. It is now coordinated by WE ARE GOLF, which was created in 2010. Described on its website as, “… an industry coalition that communicates the economic, charitable and environmental impact of golf, as well the health and wellness benefits of the game and the affordability and accessibility of golf, to Members of Congress, the Executive Branch and regulatory agencies. Te goal of WE ARE GOLF is to ensure that laws

TPI Turf News July/August 2016