Young people in the District are flocking to "Teen Nights."

The events hosted by the Department of Parks and Recreation are meant to create a safe space for teenagers from different backgrounds.

Jessica Forres reports...

LISTEN TO THE STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 NEWS

Music blares in the background as Shanay Cox... who is seventeen...stands with friends on a grassy field at Harry Thomas Recreation Center in Ward 5

PEOPLE WHO DON’T COME OUTSIDE HERE THAT PROBABLY NEVER BEEN OVER HERE ARE HAVING FUN. I’M GLAD THEY DID SOMEHTING LIKE THIS.

The recent wave of violence in Ward 5 didn’t stop Cox and more than a thousand teens from attending the Teen Night Summer Finale.

DPR spokesperson John Stokes.

THIS EVENT TRANSCENDS ANY TYPE OF BEEF, ANY TYPE OF TURF WAR. THEY COME OUT HERE, THESE TEENS … LOOK AT THEM THEY ARE ALL COMING OUT HERE THEY’RE HAVING FUN, THEY’RE PLAYING KICKBALL, THEY’RE EATING FOOD. THEY’RE LISTENTING TO MUSIC.

Stokes says these events attract about 4-hundred teenagers on any given Friday.

FROM ALL WARDS, ALL JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE CITY. THEY JUST WANT TO COME OUT AND HAVE A GOOD TIME. THEY WANT A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO WHERE THEY’LL FEEL SAFE WHERE THEY CAN INTERACT WHERE THEY CAN JUST BE TEENAGERS AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANY CRIME.

Stokes says the teen events will start again in October.

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In the District, "Teen Nights" run by Department of Parks and Recreation have become safe havens for many of the city’s teenagers.

Jessica Forres reports...

LISTEN TO THE SECOND STORY THAT AIRED ON WAMU 88.5 NEWS

More than a thousand teenagers are standing on a grassy field at the Harry Thomas Recreation Center.

[NAT: MUSIC]

Some are listening to live music, eating hot dogs, playing kickball or getting their faces painted like Chelsey Coles... who is almost 13.

I’M SUPPOSED TO BE A CAT. I GOT WHITE WHISKERS, A PINK NOSE AND RIGHT HERE IS SOME INITIALS FOR MY KNICKNAME PC, PARMEGIAN CHEESE.

The recent explosion of violence in Ward 5 didn't seem to bother Coles or her peers. Marcus Ellis is with the Department of Parks and Recreation.

IT’S A SAFE HAVEN. THAT’S HOW WE ADVERTISE IT. THAT’S HOW WE PROMOTE IT. THEY KNOW THAT THEY CAN COME HERE AND BE THEMSELVES AS WE SAID CROSS WARDS AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

He says Teen Nights are growing in popularity. Since March the events have attracted about 13-thousand kids.

Angela Butler...who is a parent...watches from a distance.

THIS IS VERY COOL BECAUSE IT GIVES SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND EVERYBODY IS JUST COMING TOGETHER IN A POSITIVE WAY. EVERYONE IS JUST ENJOYING THEMSELVES.

Jessica Forres WAMU 885 News