PLAY Living and working in a bustling city can create a sense of disconnect with the natural world, especially when you’re stuck inside working on your computer all day. Luckily, that feeling of longing for the sun, grass and sky as you stare out onto the world from your window can be solved. The District is full of lush parks and gardens, hidden green gems that you can escape to at a moment’s notice. Whether you want to relax and soak up some sun on your lunch break, picnic in the park with family and friends (6 feet apart, of course), tour a beautiful garden or just leave your house, these D.C. green spaces have all that you need.
ANACOSTIA PARK Anacostia Park is a breath of fresh air in the middle of D.C. With so much open space and a myriad of activities provided, it isn’t hard to have a fun and relaxing day when you visit. This park truly has it all, including roller skate rentals, tennis courts, paddling and boating rentals, basketball courts, playgrounds and outdoor fitness stations with free equipment, just to name a few. Whether you’re looking to get fit, play some pickup basketball, have a picnic or just sit back and enjoy the outdoors, Anacostia Park was made for you. Located at 1900 Anacostia Dr. SE, DC. Due to the pandemic, athletic fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, exercise facilities and equipment are temporarily unavailable. The Anacostia River Trail and the park as a whole are still open. Visitors are expected to maintain social distancing guidelines. 62 | JUNE 2020
Green Spaces A Breath of Fresh Air in D.C. WORDS BY KELSEY COCHRAN
CONSTITUTION GARDENS
FORT DUPONT PARK
Nestled between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, you will find a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. Constitution Gardens boasts lush green space and an island in the middle of a tranquil pond in a compact space. The peaceful spot was created for the 1976 bicentennial, reverting temporary offices to a natural haven for wildlife and a recreation spot for Washingtonians. Watch ducks swim around the pond, look for the names of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence on Signer’s Island, go cloud watching or just enjoy a beautiful day in downtown D.C. Located at 850 Constitution Ave. NW, DC.
Fort Dupont Park, once an active fort during the Civil War, is now a 367-acre wooded park open to the public. Boasting beautiful nature trails, outdoor education programs, picnic areas, sports fields, biking trails, concerts, youth programs and Civil War programs, Fort Dupont is a park to visit during all seasons. This summer, consider applying for a plot at the park’s community garden for some much needed physical and mental renewal. Located at Minnesota Avenue in SE, DC.
Constitution Gardens is open 24 hours a day. Respect social distancing laws when visiting.
Open year-round from dawn to dusk. Due to the pandemic, Lanham Estate Picnic Area and Ridge Picnic Area in Fort Dupont Park are closed.
THE YARDS. Photo by Tate Holcombe // @tateholcombe.
