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Official page for Anacostia Park
The holiday weekend is here! The Anacostia River trail is perfect for a bike ride or walk. You never know what you will discover - interesting plants, artists or take a short detour to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Remember to social distance. #RecreateResponsibly
Happy Friday! Today is a good day to get that run in before it rains this weekend. Parts of the Anacostia River trail go over scenic areas like this wetland near Benning Road. It's good to get out - even for a short walk. In many of our jobs there is a lot of sitting. A walk, a jog, a run - doesn't cost much and you don't have to join anything. Exercise is a great way to mitigate stress too and Anacostia Park is a good place to do it! #RecreateResponsibly
Happy Thursday! Looks like rain on Sunday. Today it is only 72 degrees. I'd get that run or jog in Anacostia Park in. NPS Maintenance has been mowing and trimming. The park looks really sharp. I just love it when the edging is done around the parking areas. On days like today the river and sky have the same hue of blue.
An October scene in Anacostia Park - but not this year. We hope someday the students from DC, Maryland and Virginia will be back to Anacostia Park for educational programming. Rangers love telling the stories of the history and nature of the park. The park's history includes that of the First Peoples - the Nacostine Native Americans, Integration history and the Bonus Army encampment when 18,000 World War I veterans protested for their rightful pay. Nature history includes the fish and mammals of the river. NPS invites all visitors to reflect on the cultural and natural history of this great park when walking, jogging or biking through.
Let's call today "Flower Friday" from Anacostia Park. Sometimes we don't notice special wonders all around us. As Fall comes on, the wild Chickory plants are fading away. I was taking a walk along the Anacostia River Trail and saw these near the 11th Street Bridge. In addition to the common purple color, I saw a white morph variant. Sometimes we just move too fast miss out on much. Science is showing that spending time in nature is healthy. Walking in Anacostia Park will take you by meadows, riverfront and through woods. Give it a try this weekend.
The sun is coming out! If you're thinking of things to do this weekend, how about a bike ride in Anacostia Park? A neat ride is to start at one side of the river, then cross at Benning Road and come down the other side. You also get a hill workout in going up and over the pedestrian/bike bridges over the railroad tracks at parts. If you just want a flat area, come to the east side at Anacostia Park - the river view is great and you get to see landmarks like the Seafarers' Yacht Club (across the river), Anacostia Skating Pavilion, and historic Anacostia Pool. The pool was a Works Projects Administration project during the Great Depression. The 1949 pool riot was the catalyst ending segregation of public recreational spaces in the District of Columbia.
Welcome to Maintenance Monday at Anacostia Park. NPS staff and contractors are mowing, trimming and weeding. Anacostia River trail areas are looking sharp! I don't know about you, but I feel better when running along the sidewalks when they are all edged nice. Gentle reminder to our visitors who drive along Anacostia Dive - keep it slow. Some visitors walking and some walking in the road when the trail is busy to keep social distancing.
Welcome to Watershed Wednesday! Don't forget, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is part of Anacostia Park. It is so pretty in early fall. Even though the lotus plants are done, we still have some lilies and the tranquil ponds are perfect for viewing wildlife. If planning your weekend, maybe bike down the Anacostia River trail then take the access trail to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. NPS has a bike rack so you can lock up your bike and take a stroll. There is even a Ranger pop up tent to welcome folks!
Happy First Day of Fall! While we think of the leaves on trees turning color, early Fall is about wildflowers. Take a jog, walk, bike or run along the Anacostia River Trail and you will see thousands of these yellow wildflowers blooming. It is a wonderful splash of color. If driving through the park, drive slow, many of our regular walkers are social distancing and walking in the road in addition to the trail.
Today is the last full day of Summer. Here is DC Hood Chef and his lovely wife enjoying this beautiful day in Anacostia Park. I was driving along with the window down and could smell the delicious aroma of a half-smoke and burgers on the grill. Hood Chef said that he grew up in SE - lived there his entire life and been going to Anacostia Park since he was a kid. This is real Washington, DC. Great weather, great park, great people!
Folks, there really is a day for everything. Did you know that today, September 19, is "Talk like a Pirate" Day. Anacostia Park has THE BEST location in DC to do this! At our Nicholson St. entrance we have the Pirate Ship playground! Now, this year good pirates wear masks and practice social distancing, but they still have a good time matey!
The holiday started with two guys playing racquetball and they thought it would be fun to encourage each other with pirate slang. A columnist picked up on it and the rest is history. If you're running or working out, try encouraging your friend/partner in pirate slang - it's fun!
It is early September. Wild rice is blooming along the river. A hundred years ago, there were many fields of wild rice and this attracted thousands of Bobolinks (also known as Reed Birds or Rice Birds). Bird shooting along the Anacostia - particularly along the Benning Road area, was a popular pastime at this time of year. Conservationists opposed this practice. Conservation laws ended the hunting practice. The invasive reed, Phragmites, displaced much of the wild rice and development replaced much of the natural area so the bobolink migration isn't as large as it once was. However, in certain areas along the river, efforts are being made to reintroduce native wild rice.
Hiking along the Anacostia River trail and saw this at Kenilworth Park. The trash trap is cleaning the stream that feeds into the Anacostia River. Imagine how much garbage gets into a trap like this after a hard rain like last night! It boggles my mind to think about how much trash we generate each day. Good to see though, that the river is getting cleaner gradually. We should really think of a way of living without generating so much garbage.
I guess we can call today "Turtle Tuesday." This baby snapping turtle was seen at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens which is part of Anacostia Park. Snapping turtles can be seen at the Aquatic Gardens and along the river banks of the Anacostia River. They can get big. I've seen them with the shell about a foot long. They eat plants and animals such as fish, frogs, snakes and sometimes birds (a big one can pull a small duck underwater). They are native. Reminds me of a dinosaur every time I see one!
Welcome to "Maintenance Monday" at Anacostia Park! Heroes come in many forms. Next time you visit Anacostia Park to run, fish, picnic or play sports, remember the NPS Maintenance team. Every day, members are out there removing trash, keeping the park looking nice. This job continues on hot days in summer, cold days in winter, rainy days all year. My dad said "every job has dignity when performed well." Salute to the Maintenance team!
I love running in Anacostia Park. Sometimes when life becomes an uphill battle, it is a good thing to run up hills. When you make it there, you take pride in reaching the top and you can see more - literally and figuratively. This photo was taken at twilight just below Kenilworth Park along the Anacostia River trail. If you get time, go for a walk or a run - exercise does a body good.
Happy Women's Equality Day! On this day, 100 years ago, American women were granted the right to vote. There are Anacostia connections. Frederick Douglass, most famous resident of Anacostia, was a strong supporter of Women's Suffrage. Nannie Helen Burroughs, educator, suffragist and civil rights leader, founded the National Training School for Women and Girls in Deanwood neighborhood, only a half-mile from Kenilworth Park (part of Anacostia Park), and a bridge over the river is named in her honor. From the 1960s to today, countless local women have campaigned for environmental justice in advocating a cleaner Anacostia River, using their ability to vote and participate in the democratic process.
Evening at Anacostia Park. Did you know that Anacostia Park has a free boat launch? A quiet evening, jogging by, seeing this guy launching his boat, the smell of burgers from a nearby cookout wafting in the breeze and a stillness upon the water.
With all the rain we have been getting, a bunch of mushrooms have popped up at Anacostia Park! If you drive or walk slow, you see more. Looks like a line of mushrooms marching down to the Anacostia River for a swim. Just goes to show you that there is nature everywhere - you just have to look for it. You probably know that mushrooms are a fungus. Did you know that most of the fungus is under the ground and can cover a great area?
Can you see the buck in the tall grass? I was running along the Anacostia River Trail last evening and came upon this buck just above the Benning Road Bridge. There's a small meadow on one side and a nice river view on the other. Even though we're in DC, it feels like you are in the country at certain spots along the Anacostia River Trail. Another runner paced me (at 6 feet of course) so my running time was good. Ranger Vince
Took this last week and since today is Watershed Wednesday, thought this would be a good post. Rowing is popular along the Anacostia River and with one person in the boat, is a good way to exercise and keep physical distance. It is neat seeing activity on the river. Going to be cloudy today, might go for a run along the Anacostia River Trail after work.
I was driving slowly through Anacostia Park the other day and saw a fisherman's line bend. Naturally, had to see what he caught. This is Ken and he landed a nice catfish under the 11th Street Bridge. We got to talking - he said "I catch them and throw them back and catch them again when they get bigger." Summer in Anacostia - fish are jumpin'. Saw lots of people walking and jogging too so drive slow through the park. Morning hours by the river are really nice and not hot. Ranger Vince
June 6 will be National Trails Day. One of my favorite trails is the Anacostia River Trail in Anacostia Park. It is great for biking, running, or walking. You don't have to travel fast - see, even this turtle uses it. Sometimes moving slower is better, you see the birds and other wildlife along the river. As always, practice social distancing.
We hope everyone is having a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day weekend. If you come to Anacostia Park to get some exercise or reflect on those who gave all, please be sure to #recreateresponsibly. Do your part to keep yourself, park staff, and your fellow visitors safe and healthy.
I was going to save this for Throwback Thursday but couldn't resist. Here is a "then and now" look for Anacostia Park. The photo in the foreground shows the big Bonus Army encampment in 1932. The building in the background is National Capital Park-East Headquarters. Look at the line of trees in the background and in the photo. You can see how the photos line up.
The Bonus Army were World War I veterans who camped in Anacostia Park in the summer of 1932 to push for an early award of their military pay.
While the weather is warming up, it is still very beautiful outside. Biking along the Anacostia River Trail is a great way to get outside while social distancing. When we think "Anacostia Park" many think only of the lower portion near the Roller Skating Pavilion. The park includes many beautiful areas like this one at River Terrace. River Terrace is cool because it is the name of the community and it is on a geologic "River Terrace!"
When you get beautiful, sunny days the sunlight dapples on the water at Anacostia Park. Having too much time inside? Need to get rid of the "cobwebs" in your head? Take a little time and go for a walk and if you are lucky enough to live near Anacostia Park, come on down for a bike ride, jog or walk. The river looks great today! Happy Thursday!
Happy weekend in Anacostia Park! Looks like the weather is getting nicer for awhile. If you have the blues from being inside, go for a walk, bike or jog in Anacostia Park! A number of bridges bind the park together and each one has a story. This one is the John Philip Sousa Bridge. Named after the famous leader of the US Marine Band. He grew up near the Anacostia Navy Yard and is buried on the other side of the Bridge at Congressional Cemetery. Known as "The March King" his most famous composition was "The Stars and Stripes Forever" played at almost every July 4th celebration.
In times of stress, some people find comfort in art. Here is art along the ART (Anacostia River Trail). The 11th Street Bridge Park worked with local artist, Tendani Mpulubusi El to develop this art that tells the story of the Anacostia. This one highlights Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, which became part of Anacostia Park in 1938. If you go out for a walk this weekend, check out the artwork along the trail between the Skating Pavilion and 11th Street Bridge.
It is ParkRx Day for National Park Week! ParkRx Day is about healthy parks and healthy people. Give yourself the gift of good health by finding wellness in nature on National Park Prescription (ParkRx) Day! Lots of ways for healthy exercise at Anacostia Park - now, the playgrounds and exercise equipment are closed but we have miles of scenic trails where you can walk, jog, or ride the bike! Here we salute the Washington Area Bike Association who has their Trail Ranger program on active duty in the summer to help bikers and runners. Enjoy your local parks! Remember, keep social distancing.
Today is Friendship Friday for National Park Week! Anacostia Park has a number of friends. Thank you to the many organizations that help the park and the Anacostia River like the Anacostia Watershed Society, Anacostia Riverkeeper, Ward 8 Woods, Student Conservation Association, 11th St. Bridge Park - to name a few. I'd also like to thank some of the people - like Bro. Graylin Pressbury - a DJ at the Skating Pavilion for around 30 years, the late Betty Dodds former President of the "Anacostia Rollers" famous skating group, Akiima Price, who works hard as the park's community liaison and the volunteer "special forces" team in the photo who come out to help on our late skates, children's activities and events at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens too. #Nationalparkweek #Friendshipfriday
Welcome to Anacostia Park and today is Throwback Thursday for National Park Week. Today we look at "Summer in the Parks" - a popular program in Washington, DC area national parks that connected people to parks through arts and recreation. It ran every summer from 1968-1976. Programs included concerts, fishing programs, a bookmobile, nature talks, canoeing and much more. This picture is the cover of a scrapbook from Anacostia Park dated 1970. The Summer in the Parks logo/mascot was Laughing Tree - that's the "Charlie Brown" - like tree in the picture. There are still legacies of Summer in the Parks today like the Fort Dupont Summer Theater and Concert Series and the Hispanic Heritage Festival to name a couple. Lots of DC Go-Go music history with Summer in the Parks too. #Nationalparkweek #Throwbackthursday
Hats off for the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day! Born in 1970 out of the Environmental Movement of the late 1960s, Earth Day inspires millions of Americans to conduct demonstrations against pollution and to take action to improve the environment through community cleanup efforts and recycling. We salute our Anacostia neighbors - like the Anacostia Watershed Society (volunteers in photo), Anacostia Riverkeeper and many others. Let's also remember the late George Gurley from River Terrace, community activist - who lead some of those early environmental rallies on Earth Day in the 1980s and 1990s to help the Anacostia River! #EarthDay #Nationalparkweek
Welcome to Transportation Tuesday at Anacostia Park! As part of National Park Week, each day has a different theme. Today we remember the Anacostia and Potomac River Railway Company which ran the first trolley line to Anacostia. (the side of the streetcar says "Washington and Anacostia") Did you know that Frederick Douglass was a leading advocate for the company and a leading investor? In 1879 the trolley line ran over the 11th St. Bridge, through what is now Anacostia Park, and into the town. Eventually the company had 52 cars and 20 horses. It would be so cool to have this again - might even save on traffic. (Image courtesy of the Historical Society of Washington) #Transportationtuesday #Nationalparkweek.
1900 Anacostia Drive SE
Washington D.C., DC
20020
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Reminisce All Stars! LIVE In Anacostia Park #AnacostiaPark100
Anacostia Birthday Bash! This Friday & Saturday 🎉🎉
We are less than 100 days away from Anacostia Park turning 100! Celebrate nature, history and community with us on August 31, 2018. This is YOUR neighborhood national park. Make your Anacostia Park experience memorable during the Year of the Anacostia. #FindYourPark #CometotheRiver #YearoftheAnacostia #AnacostiaPark100
MLK Day of Service #YearOfTheAnacostia
Happy Friday! #FindYourPark
A walk to the Anacostia River Trail from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens....
We are LIVE unveiling one of the many untold stories of Anacostia Park. How did Anacostia get it's name? Find out from Ranger Vince!
Newbie or pro everyone is welcome at this skate pavilion! #FindYourPark #SkateYourPark #Parks101 #MemorialDayWeekend
#Summer is coming but the National Park Service is not skating by on upkeep! Here, our rangers are power washing the skating pavilion so it looks sharp when we open on Memorial Day Weekend! #FindYourPark #SkateYourPark #Parks101
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