May Fair At Turtle Park Still On, Organizer Says

FRIENDSHIP 'TURTLE' PARK in Northwest D.C. will not be closed indefinitely, despite initial reports last night that it would be shut down due to concerns about arsenic levels in the soil. Karen Harris, chairperson of May Fair, an annual fundraising event for the park, says the park will be open, and the family friendly event is continuing as planned on Saturday.

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, Ward 3 councilmember Mary Cheh and George S. Hawkins, director of the D.C. Department of Environment confirmed at a press conference Thursday that initial reports of the park's closure were premature, according to Harris.

"When they said the park might be closed last night, it's because they had not been made aware of the Army Corps of Engineers testing in 2002," Harris said. "Extensive arsenic testing was done [then], that showed no significant levels of arsenic."

May Fair takes place Saturday at Turtle Park, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.