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.
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.
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.
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 />
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.
