While this February it seems like we are stuck in the never-ending grips of winter, the Friends Board is thinking Spring! We also are thinking of our amazing volunteers and planning ways to engage you in safe, socially distanced opportunities to support our Park. In this issue, we cover:
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
We know some of you are interested in supporting the Park, and we are working on new volunteer opportunities that can be conducted safely and in compliance with DC, National Park Service, and Federal COVID guidelines. Watch this space for our rollout of more opportunities in the upcoming months! Two projects on the horizon are:
Park Visitor Counts -- How many people visit Titanic Park during the week or on weekends? What are popular activities for people visiting the Park? Answers to these questions can help us identify projects for Park restoration and maintenance. We will be starting this project in April and will be looking for volunteers to help with these counts. In addition to helping the Park, this volunteer opportunity is a terrific way to get involved in a safe, socially distanced way.
110th anniversary of the Titanic Sinking -- It is not too early to start planning an event commemorating the 110th anniversary of the Titanic sinking, April 2022. The sinking of Titanic was one of the deadliest peacetime maritime tragedies in history, and we want to honor all souls lost at the Titanic Memorial erected in their honor. Â
Sign up here to indicate your interest in one or both of these volunteer opportunities. There is no obligation at this point! We'll contact you with more information and formal signups.
Wearing Masks in National Parks
President Biden signed the Executive Order on Protecting the Federal Workforce and Requiring Mask-Wearing on January 20, 2021. The National Park Service has implemented the mask requirement in accordance with the Executive Order. For outdoor spaces like Titanic Memorial Park, the requirement is to wear masks when you are unable to maintain adequate physical distance. We know our Friends already have engaged in these practices prior to the NPS requirement and we thank you for continuing to do your part to ensure the safety of our Park for everyone to enjoy.
NPS and the Friends Board are continuing work on our winter activities:
The Cultural Landscape Inventory being conducted by the National Park Service is in review. This inventory will provide a snapshot of the current condition and use of the park, and will help justify the need for restoration of the concrete and landscaping. The Park Service is actively working on proposals to begin restoration work in 3 - 5 years.
Plans for the Demonstration Garden also continue. The plants have been ordered and we are planning the planting date to coincide with our Titanic Day of Service on April 17. We are working with the Park Service to determine whether we can invite volunteers to help plant. We will let you know soon whether you can help!
We are taking water samples for Salt Watch - a nationwide community science activity to measure the salinity in our waterways during the winter months. Our last reading, taken after a wintry mix event, showed salinity levels 3 times our baseline measurement! You can get more information by visiting our SaltWatch blog, or visiting the Water Reporter website.
Thank you for your continued support of the Park!
Corinne Irwin, Chair
Friends of Titanic Memorial Park
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Proud partner of the National Park Service