National Parks 2023: Anacostia Park

It’s time for the annual National Parks Club! Find out information about participating shops, Vacay Bingo, the KAL, and more here.

Where is it located?

Anacostia Park is located in the heart of Washington, DC.

Whose land does it reside upon?

Long before the arrival of the first European explorers, a vibrant American Indian culture evolved around the abundance of fish, game, and other natural resources in the Anacostia River area for at least 10,000 years. In the 17th century, the Nacotchtank Indians were the primary residents along the eastern shore of the Anacostia. Prosperous farmers, gatherers, hunters, and traders, the Nacotchtanks lived in the vicinity of what is now Bolling Air Force Base.

The District of Columbia shares borders with Maryland and Virginia, and connect with lands along the Anacostia and Potomac River. These river systems and current national parks are where the Piscataway, Pamunkey, the Nentego (Nanichoke), Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Monacan, and the Powhatan cultures thrived.

When was it established?

Although the foundations of the park were being laid as early as 1901, in 1933, management and oversight responsibilities for Anacostia Park were turned over to the National Park Service.

About this park:

This small but mighty park in the heart of the nation’s capital was developed as a refuge from the hustle and bustle of DC. There are walking and hiking trails, wetlands to explore and admire, fishing, biking, and the reason we are featuring it this year, a roller skating rink (the ONLY roller skating rink in the National Park Service, FYI)! Folks can skate for free from Memorial Day through Labor Day.