Glen Echo Park Holds Fundraising Campaign To Cover Storm-Related Costs

GLEN ECHO, MD — The destructive storms that hit the Washington, D.C. area on July 29 damaged historic structures and knocked down more than 15 large trees at Glen Echo Park in Maryland.

The park also lost power for three days after the storm, forcing park-wide closures and cancellations of all events and activities, including two children’s theaters, a nature center, and other visual and performing arts studios.

Glen Echo Park, at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., is owned by the National Park Service, but is funded through grants and donations. The park is managed by the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture in partnership with the National Park Service and Montgomery County.

The Glen Echo Park Partnership said Friday that the storm caused $50,000 in repairs and income losses. The partnership has created a new Lift Us Up fundraising campaign to raise money for recovery efforts.

Park officials spent almost a week clearing debris and assessing the impact to the Spanish Ballroom, Bumper Car Pavilion, yurts, parking lot, playground, walkways, and other buildings at the park.

Staff cleared water from a fire sprinkler system malfunction inside the historic Dentzel Carousel caused by the lengthy power outage. The almost-century-old Wurlitzer band organ at the park also sustained water damage.

Glen Echo Park reopened the evening of Friday, Aug. 4, almost a week after the storm.

“We are so grateful to supporters who reached out with concern and a willingness to help while the Park remained closed for tree removal and stabilization of structures to ensure a safe reopening,” Katey Boerner, CEO of the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture, said in a statement Friday.

Remediation and repairs inside the park due to the storms are expected to continue into 2024, the partnership said.

“While the numerous arts and cultural programs in the park remain strong and the beloved Dentzel carousel is in operation again — despite several animals that sustained damage being off limits to riders — the public’s help in recouping losses is essential,” said Ama Mills-Robertson, chief program officer of the Glen Echo Park Partnership for Arts and Culture.

Donations to the Lift Us Up campaign will also be accepted in person at the park’s last free summer concert of the season on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7:30 p.m, and at the partnership’s Labor Day weekend events, including the Labor Day Art Show (Sept. 2-4) and the Social Dance Showcase (Sept. 2-3), where staff will be available to receive contributions.

Visit the Lift Us Up fundraising campaign site if you are interested in donating money to help with the storm repair and cleanup costs at Glen Echo Park.