NPLD in Your Town: Washington, D.C.

As the hometown of the headquarters of National Public Lands Day (NPLD) and the National Environmental Education Foundation, Washington, D.C. has a strong connection with public lands.  The District has a land area of only 68 square miles, but is home to 22 national parks, such as the National Mall and Anacostia National Park.  All of NPLD’s federal agency partners have offices in Washington, D.C., including the Department of Interior and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service.  Public lands are intertwined with the culture and history of Washington, D.C.

This National Public Lands Day, the National Park Service is hosting two large scale events focusing on volunteerism, recreation and health.  Rock Creek Park is the location of a National Public Lands Day signature event.  Over 200 volunteers will come together to beautify the park in the morning. Later on, they will celebrate at a recreation and health fair in the afternoon.  The general public is invited to attend the recreation and health fair featuring the REI Outdoor School, the Rock Creek Conservancy and guest speakers, including the Dr. Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the United States, and Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

If you find yourself on the National Mall, head to President’s Park and the Ellipse for the Nickelodeon World Wide Day of Play.  There will activities and games for families to get outside and get moving.  The focus will be on Let’s Move Outside and recreation education.  The National Environmental Education Foundation will be on the Ellipse to join in on the fun.

Plenty of other National Public Lands Day events are occurring in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding metropolitan area.  Find the project that best suits you and your family:

In the District of Columbia

• Fort Dupont Park
• Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens

In Maryland

• Buddy Attick Park, Greenbelt
• Carderock Park, Cabin John
• C&O Canal National Historic Park, Potomac
• Fort Washington Park, Fort Washington
• Greenbelt National Park, Greenbelt
• Little Paint Branch Park, Beltsville
• Sligo Creek, Montgomery County
• University Hills Duck Pond, Adelphi
• Watkins Nature Center, Upper Marlboro

In Virginia

• Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington
• Barcroft Park, Arlington
• Daingerfield Island Marina, McLean
• Four Mile Run Park, Arlington
• Great Falls Park, McLean
• Lacey Woods, Arlington
• Loudoun Water Aquiary, Ashburn 
• Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas
• Mason Neck State Park, Lorton
• Meadowood Recreation Management Area, Lorton