Norton Gets Word that NPS will Conduct Audit of WTEF

WASHINGTON, DC – The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said today that after years of controversy and repeated requests, the National Park Service (NPS) has responded to community concerns regarding financial reporting by the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation (WTEF). Norton and Ward 4 residents have repeatedly raised concerns about a major commercial tennis tournament held by Lagardère Unlimited on NPS land in Rock Creek Park, in part, in return for youth, senior and special population programs provided by WTEF. After several requests by the community and Norton, WTEF provided financial documents to NPS. The NPS findings show that "WTEF appears to generally be adhering to the requirements of the agreement between NPS and WTEF, which details WTEF and NPS responsibilities for the Rock Creek Tennis Center," and "considerable expenditures ($1.2 million) towards overall programming by WTEF." However, because the information provided did not provide sufficient information on how much of the net revenues were spent directly on youth programing, NPS has decided to conduct an audit.

Residents contacted Norton's office last year with concerns relating to, among other things, the tournament's funding for youth programs. The Congresswoman first met with NPS officials regarding these concerns and then held a meeting with Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, NPS Superintendent Tara Morrison, Metropolitan Police Department and Park Police officials, WTEF, and residents. The parties agreed that NPS would hold an annual meeting with the community to facilitate regular communication, and WTEF agreed to provide gross receipts from the last 10 years and the amounts spent on youth programing each year.

"I now hope that the annual NPS meetings with the community will result in the flow of information the community has requested and will establish an ongoing and improved relationship with WTEF," Norton said. "With the arrival of Superintendent Tara Morrison, NPS, for the first time, began to monitor WTEF and develop a relationship with the community regarding the Rock Creek Tennis Center. I hope that the information NPS said it will seek will settle the long-standing disagreements with the community and result in a new and amicable relationship."

Just before Norton was elected, Congress funded the tennis facility on NPS land without an authorizing committee bill or the required administrative process, and without consulting with the District government or the Ward 4 community. Norton worked with the community to get an Environmental Impact Statement after the fact, which, among other things, charged NPS with monitoring the tennis tournament, and she has been periodically asked by the community to revisit the issue.

Published: July 27, 2013