The Groundhog has spoken

Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter....so we have some warm thoughts for Spring!  Even with the cold blast we're getting this weekend, longer, warmer days will be here before we know it. Here's what's in the works:

• Stay tuned for these Spring activities
• Don't Forget: Board application deadline is February 10
• More Board changes

We are looking to expand our Board of Directors!  We hope to add 2 or 3 Board members to help with our increasing activities in the Park.  Our ideal Board member:

• Supports NPS’s vision that Titanic Memorial Park is a historic park worth preserving
• Supports the Friends as a donor and/or volunteer
• Will attend monthly board meetings lasting 60 - 90 minutes
• Will commit to 5 hours of work per month, including Board meetings

Happy (almost) 2023!

Before we close the books on 2022, we wanted to share some of our terrific accomplishments - which were made possible through the support of our volunteers and neighbors.

What did we all do?

We commemorated the 110th anniversary of the Titanic tragedy via a wreath-laying ceremony and park display that included stories of heroes and victims. We also hosted a gala event to celebrate our volunteers and partnership with the National Park Service.

It is Week 5 of our FriendsGiving: Give Today for Tomorrow donation drive.  We're up to $4,700 toward our $7,500 donation goal!   Can you help us raise $2,800 in the next week?

A generous donor has offered a 1-for-1 match, up to $500, in our final week.  So if you give now, your donation will be doubled!

Visitor Counts - Activities

What is the best activity to do in the park?  It depends on who you ask! Here is another quick highlight from our visitor count data:

The top three activities are walking, hanging out with your dog, and relaxing on the benches.  On weekends, visitors have more time to engage in a variety of other activities. 

It is Week 4 of our FriendsGiving: Give Today for Tomorrow donation drive.  We've raised $3,800 toward our $7,500 donation goal so far!   We're more than half way to our goal....and we only have 2 more weeks to raise $3,700.  Can you give today?

Your donation will help the park look its best for everyone who uses the park daily, as well as those who visit less frequently.

Have you seen a Friends volunteer out in the park with a clipboard? They are part of the dedicated group that has been counting visitors since 2021.  Thanks to their efforts, we are learning more about how many people visit the park daily, and what they do while here.  Visitor estimates help us justify funding to restore and improve the park, both with the National Park Service and potential grantors.

Join us TODAY

The Southwest BID is hosting a Spook-tacular Halloween from 4:30 - 6:30 pm today at Lansburgh Park.  Come see us there!  We'll have a game and goodies for the kids, and of course Titanic-themed costumes.

This is a rain or shine event, so don't let a few raindrops scare you away!

Welcome to Week 2 of our FriendsGiving: Give Today for Tomorrow donation drive.  We raised $1,325 toward our $7,500 donation goal in the first week, a great start!  Thank you to everyone who donated early.  This week we will share some ambitious and exciting new projects coming to Titanic Memorial Park. 

Concrete Restoration

At our 110th Anniversary Gala, Superintendent Jeff Reinbold announced National Park Service plans to fund major restoration of the concrete sidewalks throughout Titanic Memorial Park.  Following commitment of project funds (expected in 2023), it will take two years for design and construction of the restoration project.  Restoration will include improved stormwater management and care of trees.

The Friends will provide funding for companion projects like improved landscaping, water spigots, and a drinking fountain. Estimates for these companion projects is $50,000 - $100,000.

It's October, which means it's time for our annual FriendsGiving donation drive.  Our theme this year is: Give Today for Tomorrow, and our donation goal is $7,500.  We have a bright future ahead for Titanic Memorial Park and some exciting new projects. 

First, though, let's look back on all we've accomplished in the past year.  Through generous donations, amazing work by our volunteers, and ongoing support from our great partner, the National Park Service, we achieved a lot!

We have scheduled our fall Work Party!  And, we have a few additional updates to share:

• Save the Date!
• NPS Update
• The Tafts and the Titanic
• More Board Changes

Save the Date!

Love to Paint? Want to celebrate National Public Lands Day?  Interested in connecting with other Friends? Join us at our annual bench painting on:

Saturday, September 24

9:00am - 12:00 noon

Non-painters welcome too! We'll probably have some fall landscape maintenance in addition to bench painting.  Please sign up on our Events page to join us!

Just a quick reminder that our Independence Day Cleanup will be next week:

Tuesday, July 5, 9:00am

We'll clean up after the Independence Day revelers, and also have a bit of light landscape maintenance, including:

• Dead-heading rose bushes
• Planting replacement Mountain Mint in the Demonstration Garden

The cleanup and landscape maintenance should take an hour or less.  Sign up on our Events page to join us!