NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL GREENSCAPE CORRIDOR BIKE RIDE


By Geoffrey Rinehart and Kevin Morris


Te fourth annual National Cherry Blossom Festival (NCBF) Greenscape Corridor Bike Tour, co-sponsored by NCBF, BicycleSPACE, the National Turfgrass Federation (NTF), and the US National Arboretum, took place on Sunday, April 8. Te primary purpose of the tour is to provide an opportunity for participants to gain insight and understanding of the importance of four of Washington DC’s “culturally historic” landscapes; gain an appreciation for the environmental, recreational, and functional roles that turfgrass plays within these landscapes; and promote bicycling as an enjoyable way to sightsee the city.


The Tour Te event began at BicycleSPACE in Adams Morgan and included stops at the cherry grove at Hains Point, the National Mall, the Smithsonian Institution, and the ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit at the US National Arboretum. Just under 60 cyclists gathered at the store for the 11:30 a.m. start of the 13-mile ride. Te cycling route included Pennsylvania Ave (in front of the White House), 14th Street and past the Washington Monument, and around the Tidal Basin to East Potomac Park.


Steve Hazelton, National Park Service ranger, provided a 20-minute interpretive presentation at Hains Point (across the Potomac River from National Airport), highlighting the history of the famous cherry trees in DC, as well as the draining of the marsh in that area, followed by the construction of the Tidal Basin. Did you know that the original batch of 2,000 cherry trees were sent from Japan in 1910, but had to be burned due to disease and insect infestation? Te 1912 batch was the start of the plantings around the Tidal Basin and other locations in DC, but most of those original trees are gone, mainly due to soil compaction and general stress from high visitation.


Next, the group cycled to the National Mall where Joe Doherty, University of Maryland graduate student, gave an update on the recent turf renovations and explained his research on the turfgrass microbiome.


Just around the corner from the Mall turf, the group visited a new tour stop, the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian gardens personnel Alex Dencker and Matt Millage provided information on their various gardens at the different museums, their philosophy and goals, and the challenges of maintaining gardens in an urban setting. Bike riders asked some excellent questions at both of these stops, highlighting the importance of providing outreach and education to the public about lawns and landscapes, particularly in urban settings.


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Te cyclists then travelled to the last tour stop, the US National Arboretum’s ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit. Light refreshments consisting of granola bars, trail mix, fruit, and water were served to the ride participants. Geoff Rinehart, ‘Grass Roots’ coordinator, provided a 20-minute ‘Grass Roots’ exhibit tour.


Achieving Goals Tis event has been successful in achieving its primary purpose in each of its four years. Even though unusually cold weather reduced rider numbers this year (about 150 had originally signed up), the event was still well received by participants. BicycleSPACE hosts formal and informal rides every weekend, but the Cherry Blossom/ National Greenscape Corridor ride is one of their favorites. Hopefully, we can continue this ride for many years into the future. NTF extends thanks to their partners: the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the National Park Service, the Smithsonian Institution, the US National Arboretum and BicycleSPACE!


Starting out


Sightseeing


Cherry Blossoms


Hains Point


Smithsonian Institution


Grass Roots big picture


Geoffrey Rinehart is ‘Grass Roots’ coordinator. Kevin Morris is president of the National Turfgrass Federation (NTF) and executive director of the National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP).


TPI Turf News May/June 201 018


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