Be advised that the NPS has issued alerts for this park.
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Parking Lot Closed - Street Parking Only
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens' main entrance and parking lot are closed. Visitors may enter through the gate at Anacostia Ave NE and Douglas St NE. Anacostia Ave remains closed between Douglas St NE and Ponds St NE. Street parking is available.
Deep within Kenilworth lies an oasis, hidden behind trees and cattails. It's a place where beavers build their homes and turtles sleep on logs. Lotus blooms rise from the muck and lilies sit on the water. The wind dances with the dragonflies, rus...
There are eight recorded species of native freshwater mussels in the Anacostia River.
This information panel sits in front of multiple marsh areas with lily pads and lotus flowers floating in the water. High stalks stand behind the panel off to the right. As one goes further back behind the panel, the marshes transition to more of a lake containing no flowers or lily pads.
Helen Fowler took over administration of the Shaw Gardens from her father in 1912.
An information panel is positioned in front of a marsh and tall trees. Two red chairs sit off to the right facing the marsh area. The sunny day creates a glare on the panel face.
National parks are special places owned by all Americans. Caring for these treasures is everyone's job. Throughout the country, citizen organized friends groups get people interested in and involved with preserving natural and cultural treasures.
An information panel is positioned to the left of a tall tree with green leaves. Grassy area surrounds the panel and tree.
For years local residents urged the city and federal government to improve the water quality in the Anacostia River. As a result, the Kenilworth Marsh Project was launched. Begun in 1992, over 32 acres of tidal wetland was regraded and planted with native vegitation. The wetlands foster a diversity of wildlife. The water from this marsh comes from the Anacostia River and feeds the aquatic garden ponds.
(538 words)<br />From the entrance to the Kenilworth Boardwalk access wayside travel along the boardwalk about 300 feet to reach The Waters of Kenilworth Marsh wayside.<br />Along this path, four-foot-high wooden railings line much of the boardwalk, but in some areas the railing is only on the left or right side. Where there is no railing, and 2-inch high wood curb lines the side of the boardwalk. The boardwalk is treelined on both sides, and a shallow river runs through a marshy and brackish landscape of the left.<br />At the 300-foot mark, the boardwalk makes a 45 degree turn to the left. At this point, on your left, will be the wayside sign. A tree rises right in front of the boardwalk just beyond the wayside, its thick branches fanning out right at eye level. This corner area is shaded but as the boardwalk continues to the left, it opens up immediately as it crosses over the river.<br />As you face the wayside, a three-foot wide wood bench is directly behind you on the other side of the boardwalk.<br />The four by three-foot wayside is titled across the top right side: "Under the Boardwalk." Underneath the text and spanning the entire sign is a color image background of a muddy, brown and shallow riverbed. Marshy lily pads line the river to the left, right, and forward in the image. Beyond in the distance is a lush forest tree line, and bright blue sky with puffy clouds.<br />A column of black text runs down the left third of the sign. It reads:<br />A walk along this boardwalk will take you over one of the greatest environmental restoration efforts in Washington, D.C.<br />Starting in 1900, dredging, filling and other alterations to the Anacostia river, destroyed this marsh habitat. As result, many of the plants that previously absorbed pollution and prevented erosion could not survive.<br />For years local residents urged the city and federal government to improve the quality of water in the Anacostia River. As a result, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments launched the Kenilworth Marsh Project.<br />During the 1990s, over 32 acres of tidal wetland were restored and native vegetation was reintroduced to provide habitat for native wildlife.<br />At the center bottom half of the sign is text in white letters that reads:<br />Marsh Waters<br />The waters of Kenilworth Marsh are tidal, with an average range between ties of 2-3 feet.<br />Anacostia River water from this marsh flows into the formal ponds of the aquatic gardens.<br />This boardwalk takes you over three different marsh zones (low, mid and high) that support unique wildlife habitat.<br />A four by five-inch color phot in the lower right corner shows a man in white baseball hat and dark jacket facing away with two children in fall vest jackets with hoods, as they look out over a wood boardwalk railing at a field of tall dead grass that has turned a bright, light brown. <br />Text to the left of the image reads:<br />Local students on the boardwalk look out over Kenilworth Marsh.<br />Photo: Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens<br />A two-inch tall white logo of a blooming flower stands in the lower left corner. To its right is text that reads: "Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />
The trail to your left leads to a boardwalk that extends over a tidal wetland. The boardwalk extends over three marsh zones: low, medium and high. The end of the boardwalk offers a panoramic view of the wetland and good bird watching.
(499 words)<br />From the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens visitor center, by the eastern end of the Lotus and Water Lily Ponds, a dirt and gravel trail leads west, to the left, about 600 yards past pond areas on the right and marshland on the left, to the Kenilworth Boardwalk access wayside.<br />The 3 by 4-foot sign sits on the right side of a trailhead turning off to the left. The trail leads past lush marshland and tall grasses on both sides for about 50 yards to a more heavily forested area where the boardwalk begins and curves slightly to the right. A picnic table sits on a plot of land about 40 feet off the trail on the left side, and a wooden bench rests left of the trail right before it turns from gravel trail to the beginning of the wooden boardwalk. <br />The top quarter of the three by four-foot tall wayside has a black background. In large white lettering it is titled: "Boardwalk to Tidal Marsh"<br />Text in smaller white lettering reads:<br />Along the boardwalk, you will see tidal wetlands fed by the Anacostia River, with a tidal range of two to three feet. These wetlands support people and wildlife by serving as a natural water filter, acting as a storage basin for floodwater, and providing habitat for a wide variety of plants and animals. This area also includes some of the last original tidal wetlands in the nation's capital and some of the best wildlife viewing in the park. Keep your eyes open for herons, egrets, osprey, bald eagles, and beavers.<br />The middle of the sign features a large map about 3 feet wide by two feet tall showing a series of pond areas in blue surrounded by green areas. In the center of the map it is titled in black lettering: "Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens." To the north and west around the pond area are rivers and creeks, represented in blue, and strips of land shown in green. The map points to the southeastern corner of the pond area and states: "You Are Here."<br />The bottom quarter of the sign shows four color photos side by side, about four by three-inches each. They are laid atop a background image of a large pink flower, about one foot tall and two feet across the width of the sign.<br />The far-left photos show a wide and shallow, muddy riverbed with water flowing through a marshy landscape. A tall tree line is visible in the distance. To the right is a photo of a white crane, facing right and standing among weeds and tall grass in a shallow pond area. Right of that is a photo of a wooden walkway bridge, moving away from the camera left to right. Tall grass rises up on both sides and a tree with vibrant red autumn leaves stands on the right side. The final photo, furthest left, is of dragonfly with a blueish-green head, flying to the right and carrying a brown leaf.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />
Built in a tidal flat of the Anacostia River, Walter Shaw's lotus and lily ponds have drawn crowds since the 1800s. The park and its boardwalk are popular for nature hikes and photography, but never more so than during the lotus blooming season in July. <br />
(456 words)<br />Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is located in the north eastern corner of Washington, DC by the Maryland state border, nestled near the banks of the Anacostia River and directly west of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Traveling west on Anacostia Avenue, NE from the intersection with Ponds Street NE, a driveway on the right after about 100 feet leads into the parking lot.<br />Traveling north into the parking lot, you will bend around to the right. At about 300 feet the trailhead entrance will be on your left.<br />Here, a three by four-foot tall wayside sign on the right side of a dirt and gravel trail welcomes you into the park. An inoperable cement water fountain sits on the left side of the trailhead. The trail bends slightly to the left, through a deep and grassy field of trees.<br />The top third of the wayside has a black border with large white lettering that reads:<br />Welcome to Kenilworth<br />Aquatic Gardens<br />Text below reads:<br />All year round abundant wildlife flourishes in the park, including local and migratory birds, turtles, frogs, and dragonflies. Trails lead to scenic overlooks featuring tidal wetlands and the Anacostia River. In summer, stunning water lilies and lotus, both native and exotic, bloom in ponds established by Civil War veteran Walter B. Shaw. To begin your visit, follow the trail to the visitor center.<br />The middle section of the sign shows a map of the entire park. In the center of the map is a rectangular-shaped area showing a series of blue sections meant to represent ponds. A listing in the middle is labeled "Lotus and Water Lily Park." Much of the west side of the map is blue, indicating an intertwined series of creeks and small rivers. Above this blue area in large black lettering states: "Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens." On the right side of the map is an arrow pointing down to a location in the park labeled "You Are Here." A trail labeled "Garden Trail" leads from right to left towards the blue pond area in the map's center.<br />The bottom third section of the sign shows a large five by six-inch closeup image of a bright pink flower. Four, six by four-inch color photos are laid on top of the flower image. The images from left to right are of a pink flower in full bloom, a black and white photo image of a crane in flight with wings extended, a color image of about a dozen bright green water lilies floating in a pond, and a wooden bridge with railings, extending away from close on the left and traveling away to the right. The bridge carries over a tall grassy area and past a tree showing its bright red autumn leaves.<br />END OF DESCRIPTION<br />
The picnic area offers a nice respite from summer heat. Feel free to have a picnic lunch and enjoy the sites and sounds of the nearby aquatic garden from this location.
The trail entrance to Anacostia River has bike racks on either side of the trail. A brown sign reading "Anacostia River" and an arrow pointing North is positioned to the right of the trail.
The Visitor Center at Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is an ideal place to begin your visit. Restrooms are located here as well as orientation brochures. A small room of exhibit panels provides a brief overview of the history of the gardens and its key plants. Those with children should ask about the Junior Ranger program. The gift shop offers a variety of items for the nature enthusiast. Passport Stamps can be found at this Visitor Center.
Start your stamp collection and celebrate every park you visit!
Orange Line - DC Metro
Discover lotus and lily flowers at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, or explore the many memorials just a short walk from the Orange Line. Each of the parks listed here are 1 mile or less from each metro stop (about a 20 minute walk) or a 10 minute bus ride away.
Take a walk through Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens
Sparkling in the sun on a breezy day, this natural area of Anacostia Park has origins in a 1926 act of Congress to preserve the forests, water quality, and recreation value of the waterways of Washington, DC. The park reflects the policies that affect rivers and wetlands.
Become a Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Junior Ranger
Kids of all ages can become a junior ranger at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Find a park ranger or stop by the visitor center to pick up your book when you visit. Complete the activites and a park staff member will swear you in and award you your own official junior ranger badge!
Picnic at Kenilworth
Relax and enjoy a picnic at Kenilworth Park! Continue the tradition of having a picnic breakfast or lunch that has been enjoyed by visitors to Kenilworth since the early 1900s. President Wilson and his wife Edith would enjoy picnics at the gardens, and you can too!
Go Birding At Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens!
Open year-round, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens offers an excellent opportunity for birdwatching. The river, marshes, and hardwood trees offers a diverse habitat for finding birds. Over 240 birds have been sighted at the park!
Tours
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Walking Tour of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
Explore historic lotus and lily ponds and view some of DC's only remaining natural tidal marshes! Walk around the tidal marshes and learn more about the park's history, preservation, and the variety of plants and animals that call this place home.
