DPR is actively advancing accessibility across our facilities through ongoing ADA upgrade projects. This work is guided by our ADA Transition Plan, which was created in August 2023 and last updated in April 2025. DPR is working to catalogue the number of ADA-compliant recreation centers and evaluating accessibility conditions across our amenities.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

DPR completed an assessment of accessibility and inclusivity factors of their 100+ playgrounds in July 2025. This assessment included information on safety and access, play diversity, additional site recreational elements, and maintenance needs. Play diversity included specifics on sensory play and adaptive equipment available at each playground. Data from these assessments was then analyzed to identify trends, make recommendations, inform future Capital Projects, and increase public access to individual playground information.

A one-pager was created for each playground and can be accessed at the DPR Playgrounds homepage. Each one-pager includes information on playground age ranges, surface type, presence of fence, presence of shade, special equipment, play diversity provided, other amenities at site, nearest metro stop, nearest bus line, and type of parking available.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

DPR has expanded access to inclusive restroom facilities by installing three Thrones in Parks restrooms at Alethia Tanner Park, Eastern Market Metro Park, and Oxon Run Park in Spring 2024. Together, these District‑funded units have served 48,708 uses to date, with 20,143 unique users and an average user‑generated cleanliness rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

In addition, the Capitol Riverfront BID has funded two Thrones at Yards Park, originally launched in 2023 and expanded in 2024. These units have recorded 63,658 uses, 30,694 unique users, and similarly strong cleanliness feedback.

The location of Throne bathrooms can be found via the Throne Bathroom Network app.

In addition, DPR has implemented an outdoor restroom, a Portland Loo, at Walter Pierce Park.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

More details coming soon

DPR is actively working on improving our language access at our sites and programs. A list of recent action items taken include:

• In 2024 & 2025, DPR conducted a signage audit of every DPR recreation and aquatic center, to ensure that there is proper signage to make residents aware that translation services are available.
• DPR has produced select promotional materials in multiple languages, per DC Language Access guidelines.
• Used paid advertising in non-English languages to promote DPR events to people who do not speak English fluently.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

More details coming soon

DPR has taken several steps to deter crime through site design at our parks and recreation centers. Recent improvements made to our sites include:

• NJ & O Street Park — New lighting, seating, game tables, permeable paving, plantings, and a playground that activate the space and improve visibility.
• Crestwood Park — Triangle park renovation with natural play that draws regular users and increases “eyes on the park.”
• 17th & C Street Park — Triangle park renovation with playground upgrades that boost family activity and passive surveillance.
• Oxon Run Playgrounds — Two replacements and two renovations, increasing daily family use and natural surveillance.
• Sherwood Exterior Improvements — Renovated courts, new water fountain, upgraded playground and field—programmed use and comfort amenities that keep the site lively.
• Garfield Park — Playground/court upgrades, erosion mitigation, and a new water fountain—more reasons to gather and linger in well‑lit areas.
• Texas Ave Dog Park — New dog park that creates steady, responsible presence and community oversight.
• Palisades Dog Park — New dog park co‑located with other amenities—lively, watched environment.
• Park at LeDroit Dog Park — Shade structure, water fountain, relocated benches, improved drainage—comfort + visibility where people congregate.
• Stead Athletic Field — Turf and walking/running track renovation that supports regular circulation and natural surveillance.
• Emery Heights Athletic Field — Turf and track renovation that sustains everyday use and passive supervision.
• Watkins Exterior Upgrades — Replaced playground and basketball courts—daily activation and informal oversight.
• Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center — Inclusive campus with shaded seating, splash pad, gardens, fitness equipment, and multiple program spaces—diverse, continuous activation.
• Fort Dupont Ice Arena — New indoor recreation venue that brings consistent programmed activity and positive foot traffic.
• Reservoir Park Recreation Center — New community center and park space that introduces gathering areas and program capacity, strengthening “eyes on the park.”
• Walter Pierce Portland Loo — Outdoor restroom near active areas, supporting legitimate park use and longer dwell times.

Updated April 2026

DPR hosts several late-night events, including Late Night Hype and Late Night Drip events. Both events have games, music, food, and more, for kids, families, and teens. The number of events per year are displayed below:

Late Night Hype:
• 11 events in 2024
• 12 events in 2025

Late Night Drip:
More details coming soon

Updated April 2026

DPR runs a number of summits and events designed to promote positive mental health outcomes. Recent events highlighting these outcomes include:

• Young Ladies on the Rise Girls Summit: Health & Well-Being May 18th 2024 from 9:30am - 3:30pm - Attendance: 41
• Young Ladies on the Rise S.T.E.A.M. Summit March 22nd 2025 from 9:30am - 3:30pm - Attendance: 60
• 'DPR Teen Summit'- Youth Equity Summit April 18th 2025 from 9:30am - 3:00pm - Attendance: 38
• DC Teen Summit March 13th 2026 from 11:00am - 3:00pm - Attendance: 143

Updated April 2026

DPR runs a number of trainings centered around trauma-informed and de-escalation tactics for front line staff to deter violence, as well as promote positive coping mechanisms. Recent trainings focusing on these outcomes include:

• November 2025 (multiple dates): Youth Mental Health and First Aid Certification Training, with 82 employees certified.
• September 24, 2025: Coping with Trauma session attended by 7 Aquatics staff.
• April 10, 2025: Grief/Trauma in the Workplace session for 4 Marvin Gaye CR staff.
• September 4, 2024: Trauma in the Workplace session for 8 Oxon Run Aquatics staff.
• August 12 & August 14, 2024: Trauma in the Workplace sessions for Lamond CR staff
• August 6, 2024: Trauma in the Workplace session for 4 Lamond CR staff.

In total, approximately 106 staff were provided with Trauma, Grief, or Mental Health sessions.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

DPR achieved a major milestone in sustainable facility design with the completion of Stead Park Recreation Center in February 2024. Stead Park is the District's first Net Zero Energy recreation center, demonstrating DPR's commitment to high-performance building design and renewable energy integration.

Updated April 2026

DPR continues to incorporate sustainable design features into all new capital projects. While formal sustainability profiles for new recreation centers have not yet been developed, DPR's Capital Projects team consistently applies sustainable design principles across ongoing projects. However, some of our design partners have created sustainability profiles on our DPR project sites, and they are included below:

• Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center
• Arboretum Community Center
• Stead Park Recreation Center

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

DPR tracks impervious surface coverage across its properties as part of ongoing efforts to improve stormwater management and enhance environmental resilience. Between 2023 - 2025, impervious surface area increased by approximately 275,000 square feet, representing a 0.69% rise. This change reflects new facilities, site improvements, and land acquisitions. Importantly, this total does not account for stormwater management implemented at new and existing sites, such as permeable pavers, green roofs, and other types of green infrastructure, which improve the effectiveness of our facilities and lands to capture stormwater and mitigate heat island effects. DPR continues to make progress towards this goal, including incorporating green infrastructure at new and existing sites, developing ways to report out on the effectiveness of our green infrastructure, and exploring opportunities to decrease impervious surfaces over time.

Updated April 2026

DPR continues to promote operational sustainability by looking at our waste management. In FY25, a DGS-contracted waste hauler reported collecting an estimated 1208 tons of trash (73% of DPR total) and 459 tons of recycling (27% of DPR total) from DPR service locations. This data provides a baseline for future initiatives aimed at reducing overall waste generation and diversion rates. Although an inventory of our fossil fuel-run maintenance equipment and our cleaning and lawn treatment products has not been conducted. DPR will continue to work to expand sustainable operations throughout our system.

Updated April 2026

DPR has not developed a comprehensive lightning conversion roadmap. However, the agency continues to make progress toward improved lightning efficiency and compliance by incorporating updated lighting standards into all facility renovations and upgrades. All in-progress and future capital projects are fully compliant with updated lighting standards.

Updated April 2026

DPR has not yet developed bird-friendly design standards at this time. However, DC passed D.C. Law 24-337. Migratory Local Wildlife Protection Act of 2022, which requires building permits for new construction or alterations use bird friendly construction. All DPR buildings permitted after October 1st, 2024, are fully compliant with this legislation. Creating DPR building standards remains a future area of focus for the agency.

In partnership with the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Parks and Recreation secured a FEMA-funded grant to identify minimum standards and other considerations that must be met for a site to be called a resilience hub. HSEMA has continued the development of resilience hub standards based on data-driven analyses and national best practices. In addition, DPR partnered with Perkins-Eastman to develop a memo for design teams to use when developing a “Resilience Hub Ready” site. Specifically, this guide was developed for Fort Davis Recreation Center which will allow for the site to move forward with construction with the understanding that in the future, the site could become a resilience hub.

Updated April 2026

More details coming soon

DPR is currently working on Lansburgh Park as a multi-functional, floodable landscape that manages stormwater while remaining usable for daily recreation. Using detailed flood modeling and climate data, the design team identified areas within the park that could safely store and convey water during extreme storm events. The park incorporates blue-green infrastructure such as depressed lawn areas, bioswales, and permeable surfaces that capture and hold stormwater, then drain and return to normal use after the event. This approach is integrated into a broader neighborhood system so that water is managed across connected parks and streets rather than in isolation. The design was developed in coordination with DPR, DGS, DOEE, and community stakeholders to ensure it meets both resilience goals and everyday user needs.

Updated April 2026

DPR incorporates flexible and adaptive design principles across several recent capital projects. Many newly completed and renovated sites feature open layouts, durable surfaces, and adaptable furnishings that support multiple uses throughout the day. Some of our recent projects include:

• Joy Evans Therapeutic Recreation Center and Ketcham Recreation Center: multipurpose rooms, open park areas, and flexible outdoor amenities accommodate a wide variety of users and programs.
• Similarly, NJ & O Street Park and Garfield Park utilize open lawns, mixed‑use hardscape areas, and versatile seating to support informal play, community gatherings, and everyday recreation.
• Athletic field projects at Stead, Emery Heights, and Deanwood include flexible field configurations and track areas that can adapt to different sports and community activities. DPR continues to integrate adaptive design elements into future developments and renovations to maximize usability and responsiveness to community needs.

Updated April 2026

DPR currently provides access to public DCWiFi at 34 sites across the District. Additional locations are in the process of being evaluated or upgraded to support Wi-Fi expansion. Some recreation centers that are located next to DC Public Schools are unable to host public DCWiFi due to policy restrictions. This work supports ongoing efforts to improve digital access for residents using DPR facilities and parks.

Updated April 2026

DPR is working to develop several new marquee waterfront parks. Information about the new plans are below:

Poplar Point: Comprising 110-acres bound by the Anacostia River, 11th Street Bridge, Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge, I-295, and Suitland Parkway. The conveyance of Poplar Point will occur once the District satisfies requirements outlined by the DC Lands Act of 2006. The District is working with the National Park Service to complete the NEPA process and produce a Land Use Plan (LUP). Currently a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and LUP are under review by the National Park Service with a target release date of summer 2026. Once the NEPA process concludes and LUP certified by the Secretary of the Interiors, the District will complete a more detailed Master Plan, building on the LUP. The Master Plan will inform the subsequent zoning of the site.

Kenilworth Park North: The Master Plan planning stage has begun and is in its early stages.

Updated April 2026

DPR has not yet begun to explore the feasibility of creating a natural river pool in the Anacostia River pool. DPR anticipates initiating preliminary conversations with DOEE as capacity and project sequencing allows.

Updated April 2026

While a dedicated natural resources management plan has not been developed, DPR continues to support citywide efforts to improve natural resource stewardship. DOEE's existing Wildlife Action Plan (2015) provides a foundation for coordinating protection and enhancement of natural lands. In addition, DOEE is currently preparing an update to this plan, and DPR is actively participating in the process.

Updated April 2026

Although there is no location strategy or guidelines for mini-gardens, all DPR capital projects that include landscaping prioritize native plants and eco-friendly landscaping, carefully selected by our landscape architects. The primary barrier to installing mini-gardens on DPR property is lack of sufficient maintenance. DPR aims to collaborate with community organizations, friends-of groups, and adopt-a-park groups to implement and maintain gardens.

Updated April 2026

DPR provides and hosts a number of trainings to community groups on native landscaping and invasive species removal. These trainings include:

2024:
• Howard University students learning to identify and clearing invasives at Benning Stoddard Rec - 09/16/24 - 35 volunteers
• Volunteers at Oxon Run Park learning to identify and clearing invasives - 9/5/24 - 50 volunteers
• Urban Forestry Advisory Council tree tour identifying native and invasive species in Marvin Gaye Park - 11/8/24 - 13 participants
• Dreaming Out Loud Fall Fest workshop transforming unwanted plants and invasive patches into community garden spaces - 10/12/24 - 15 participants

2025:
• Kipp DC learned to identify and clear invasives - 3/12/25- 50 volunteers
• Chavez PCS learn to identify and clear invasives- 04/09/25 - 30 volunteers
• Friends of Anacostia Park Nature Fest Workshop about transplanting seedlings - 04/16/25
• DPR Hike Club learn about native species through walks in DC parks - 1200 participants in 2025

Updated April 2026

While internal conversations about this initiative are moving forward, DPR has not yet established a dedicated office to manage natural-lands maintenance.

Updated April 2026

DPR has not yet begun to complete field evaluations to document existing conditions and identify potential locations for new meadows and forest patches. This remains a future focus area for the agency.

Updated April 2026

DPR is currently in the process of acquiring new natural lands through funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Once completed, the newly acquired land will be managed to preserve its ecological value and support outdoor recreation.

Updated April 2026

DPR is working with partner organizations to pursue opportunities to protect natural lands in the District. These protected lands will be managed to preserve its ecological value and to support outdoor recreation.

Updated April 2026