Parks & Recreation - Parks And Recreation
From small, leafy plots of land in the inner city to the giant state and regional parks found in the suburbs, our fair capital area features an abundance of lush, green spaces, beckoning both nature lovers and outdoor-sports enthusiasts. With almost 90,000 protected acres, Washington, D.C. rates as one of the country’s greenest metropolitan areas, according to the Greater Washington Board of Trade. No other American urban area can claim as many National Park Service properties as can Metro Washington. It’s one of the many perks of being in or near the Nation’s Capital, where nearly 30 percent of all land is controlled by the National Park Service.
Metro Washington also boasts scores of recreation centers offering gymnasiums, swimming pools, fitness rooms, sports leagues, classes, and summer camps.
This chapter presents a brief survey of prominent national, state, regional, and local parks in the National Capital area and follows with information about recreation centers and other resources for leisurely pursuits. Note that when we don’t list park hours, you’ll find the park open from dawn until dark.
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 900 Ohio Drive SW
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 3545 Williamsburg Lane NW
4. Burke Lake Park
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (703) 323-6600
Address: 7315 Ox Road
Description: A favorite with local fishing and boating enthusiasts, this 888-acre Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) park features a 218-acre lake. Rent rowboats or take a guided pontoon-boat tour of the lake, which includes an island sanctuary for waterfowl. (Ask your tour guide to tell you about the interesting objects at the bottom of the manmade body of water.) The park also offers a campground, picnicking, play areas, and more than 4 miles of hiking trails. (See our Kidstuff chapter for more on the park’s kid-pleasing attractions. See our golf listings in this chapter for information about the park’s course.) Non–Fairfax County residents pay $8 per vehicle on weekends and holidays.
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
6. Robert M. Watkins Regional Park
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Address: 301 Watkins Park Drive
Description: Besides the many offerings for children, described in the Kidstuff chapter, this park of more than 400 acres boasts indoor and outdoor tennis courts and playing fields. It’s a popular recreational site for Prince George’s County residents.
7. Washington Area Bicyclist Association
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 518-0524
Address: 1803 Connecticut Avenue NW
Description: Metro Washington boasts several bicycling clubs. The best way to find out more about them and discover which ones might be right for you is to contact this advocacy organization, which promotes safe bicycling conditions and greater bicycle use in the Metro Washington area. WABA, with more than 2,000 members, sponsors events like the National Capital Bicycle Tour and puts together newsletters and other publications. Membership is $35 per individual and $45 per family. Call to request a free copy of the Bicycle Resource Directory, listing clubs throughout the Washington area.
8. Lucky Strike Lanes
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 347-1340
Address: 701 7th Street NW
Description: This is not your mother’s bowling alley. Lucky Strike burst onto the D.C. nightlife scene in late 2005. Unlike the other bowling alleys on this list, there’s a dress code here, and you won’t find many children bowling after dark. The upscale vibe also translates to higher prices. Depending on when you come, prices vary. You can also rent lanes by the hour. If you want to bowl on the weekend, call ahead for reservations.
9. Langston Golf Course And Driving Range
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 397-8638
Description: This 18-hole, par 72 course features tree-lined fairways and three holes with water. The total yardage is 6,340. Look for the “Joe Louis Tree,” which the “Brown Bomber” always hit, on hole number 3. The facility includes a pro shop, snack bar, and recently renovated, partially covered driving range. Fees are about the same as those at East Potomac.
10. Rock Creek Park Golf Course
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 882-7332
Description: Here’s another of Rock Creek Park’s many surprises: a hilly, wooded golf course in the middle of the city. The 18-hole, par 65 course has a yardage of 4,800. Its signature hole, number 17, features a downhill par 3 to a narrow fairway. The course has a snack bar and pro shop but no driving range. Fees are similar to those at the previously mentioned courses.
11. National Gallery Of Art Sculpture Garden Ice-Skating Rink
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 289-3360
Description: Visit the area’s newest outdoor skating rink and enjoy skating with a view. The rink sits amid the Sculpture Garden’s intriguing works of art. Open mid-November through mid-March, the rink features two-hour sessions from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The Pavilion Cafe serves light meals and beverages.
12. Wings Over Washington (Wow)
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Description: An affiliate of AKA, this active local club sponsors monthly kite flies behind the Washington Monument (look for Captain WOW, a huge soccer player) and sometimes holds kite-making workshops. Check the Web site for information.
13. Tranquil Space
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 328-9642
Address: 2024 P Street NW
Description: Drop in for vinyasa classes in this cozy Dupont Circle studio. It’s easy to find a class time that suits you; there are eight classes offered daily Monday through Thursday and Saturday, five classes on the Friday schedule, and six more on Sunday. Owner Kimberly Wilson is more than just a yogini; she also designed a line of comfortable, affordable fashions that are appropriate for yoga class or a day on the town including some that would even work for the office. They’re available for sale at the studio. Drop-in classes are $17, and discounts are available if you buy a series of three or more classes.
14. National Park Service National Capital Region
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (202) 619-7111/7256
Address: 1100 Ohio Drive SW
Description: The National Park Service oversees more than 6,500 acres of park space in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding area, along with such landmarks as Ford’s Theatre and Frederick Douglass National Historic Sites; FDR, Korean War Veterans, Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Vietnam Veterans Memorials; the Washington Monument; and the White House.
15. City Of Manassas Park Department Of Parks & Recreation
City: Washington, DC
Category: Parks & Recreation
Telephone: (703) 335-8872
Address: 99 Adams Street
Description: This department offers special events, classes, sports leagues, and two pools.