AFRICAN AMERICAN HEALTH SPECIAL
OUR RIVER: THE ANACOSTIA Peaceful Summer Walks Along Its Streams
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by Bill Matuszeski
ummer is the time for all of us to discover and enjoy quiet walks along our Anacostia and its streams. Some of these can be hidden places, while others are right along the river but provide relaxation and time with nature. Starting at the confluence with the Potomac and working upstream, I suggest five such special places for walks and short hikes inside DC, and another three upstream in Maryland that you might not know about but would be worth the drive to a starting point. 1. Walk the East Bank Trail from the 11th Street Bridge downstream to the Frederick Douglass Bridge. You can return the way you came or cross the Douglass Bridge and return via the Navy Yard in a three-mile loop. What is special about View across our river through wildflowers on East Bank Trail. Photo: Bill Matuszeski the East Bank Trail is the preponderance of natural plants and flowers all along the way from the walkway to the water. In places, you want to stop and take a picture of the mix of colors down to the water and the wildness, compared to all the development on the other side of the river. It inspires peace and appreciation of nature. A road alongside the walkway doesn’t carry much traffic and is easily ignored. 2. For complete isolation except for a wide range of wildlife, hike Pope Branch, a deep stream valley that is hard to believe is in the midst of Anacostia. You are completely surrounded by nature the moment you enter, and you simply follow the stream up the valley, taking paths when they occasionally appear. I have been welcomed upon entry by owls, by deer and by very noisy frogs! You simply follow the stream for a few blocks until it emerges and crosses Massachusetts Avenue to join Fort DuPont Park, where well-marked and well-used trails emerge. The best starting point for this amazing wilderness experience in a deep valley with no sign of the surrounding neighborhoods is to drop down a wooded slope east of Minnesota Avenue at M Place SE, where the guardrail curving around from the avenue comes to a quick end at the street signs. If this appears too difficult, walk up M Place Wilderness along Pope Branch. Photo: Bill Matuszeski one block more to enter easier on the other side of 28
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Trail Bridge over the railroad upstream of the pavilion. Photo: Bill Matuszeski
Lotus in bloom in Kenilworth Aquatic Garden. Photo: Bill Matuszeski
Branch Avenue. You can return to your entrance by following Pope Branch back and not entering the tunnel under Minnesota Avenue, or by walking through the neighborhood. 3. A very different walk begins at the Anacostia Skating Pavilion, a short distance north of Pennsylvania Avenue, before the road along the river ends in a large parking lot. From there, the walk north along the river has some peaceful amenities. First is a nice Anacostia River Museum next to the pavilion with displays that attract all ages. From there, the River Walk continues over the railroad on a magnificent curving bicycle and pedestrian bridge with great views all around, then enters a wooded walk before passing under the East Capitol Street bridge and emerging in the pleasant River Terrace neighborhood park. A short walk on Benning Road Bridge over the river takes us to our next suggested walk. 4. Walk the trails of Kingman and Heritage Islands. These
