Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Applications are open to become a Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail Ambassador! In this position, you’ll help conserve the historic pathway by joining a group of volunteers to care for an specific section of the trail.

Trail Ambassadors visit their selected trail portions at least once a month to trim vegetation, record data, note issues, clean up litter, and assist visitors! 🌿🗒️🚮ℹ️

Ready to join? Visit here to learn more and apply ➡️ https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

Photo: NPS / Emily Alff

Juneteenth is coming up soon, and we’ve got an exciting celebration planned for the weekend!

Join us for “Juneteenth at Anacostia Park — It’s Up to Us,” an afternoon honoring liberation through the powers of community, art, and self-reliance. Held on June 21 at the Roller Skating Pavilion from 3 – 6 PM, this public event invites you to Learn, Make, Move, and Share your freedom by:

👜 Creating your own tote bags!
🕺 Joining in on some line dancing!
💡Delving into local history + stories of community resilience!
🙌 And more *free* activities!

Good vibes, great people, and a grand time await you in Anacostia, so come out for some joyous Juneteenth fun! We hope to see you there!

Learn more about this occasion 👉 https://go.nps.gov/anac/juneteenth

Photo: NPS / Gabby Napolitano

National Capital Parks - East is excited to announce a brand-new Trail Ambassador volunteer position! This role involves monitoring and maintaining sections of the Civil War Defenses of Washington Trail in southeast/northeast Washington, DC.

The trail winds 6.5 miles from Fort Mahan Park to Fort Stanton Park through other Civil War-era forts and can be traversed in either direction. As a Trail Ambassador, you’ll select a portion of the pathway to regularly walk, report on, and conserve, proving indispensable in:

--Informing Park Service staff of trail conditions 🌱
--Actively working to improve trail quality ⛏️
--Assisting visitors and answering questions 🙋
--Removing litter & invasive species 🗑️🥀

Eager for some adventuring? Learn more about being a Trail Ambassador and apply to join 👉 https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000NJkd1YAD

With your help, the trail shall prevail!

Photo: NPS / Conall Rubin-Thomas

🧠Sharpen your mind as well as your blades by becoming a W**d Warrior! ✂️🌿

Invasive plants degrade parks' ecological health, and we need your help combatting them! W**d Warriors are trained in proper identification and removal techniques over a two-part virtual & in-person session, happening this month.

Learn more about + register for training ⤵️ https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000MrJpRYAV

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas
**dWarriors

🎉Happy National Volunteer Week!🎉

Thousands of volunteers give back to the National Capital Parks - East portfolio every year through park maintenance projects, invasive species removal, educational programming, campground hosting, and much more! We greatly appreciate the efforts of volunteers and recognize the immense positive outcomes they bring about. A big thank you to all volunteers who contribute across the portfolio!

Volunteer opportunities abound at National Capital Parks-East including:

🌊Shoreline cleanups at Fort Washington Park (second Saturdays)
🚮Litter removal at Fort Mahan Park (second Sundays)
🌿Trail maintenance at Greenbelt Park (third Saturdays)
🌍Shoreline cleanups at Oxon Cove Park (third Sundays)
🪷Park maintenance at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (fourth Saturdays)

Interested in volunteering? Find additional information on volunteer.gov: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/global-search/national%20capital%20parks.

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

🌎Earth Day weekend is this Saturday, and we need your help removing litter from the park! 🚮

"Water" you waiting for, sign up here💧 https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000MDz93YAD

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

Keeping litter out of rivers that provide drinking water, recreation, and wildlife habitat is (Kenil)worth it! 🚯💧

Join our partners the Potomac Conservancy on Saturday for a morning of cleaning up trash from picturesque Kenilworth Park! Learn more and sign up here 👇 https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ000002XZInYAO

Photo: NPS/Conall Rubin-Thomas

Ever wish that *perfect* park picture went far beyond just your social media profile? Have your snapshots showcased as Photos of the Month! 📸📆

Your photography will rise to new heights by featuring online and in our monthly newsletter, a combined audience of tens of thousands! Whether stunning landscapes, adorable wildlife, lively groups, or any other shots, we want to exhibit how *you* capture your local national parks. 🏞️

We can't wait to see the incredible images you take, so send your photos to [email protected] to get featured!

Happy snapping! 🖼️

Photo: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

🚩Park Alert: Monday, February 23, 2026🚩

Due to winter weather, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens will operate on a two-hour delay Monday, February 23, 2026.

For the latest updates, please continue to check our website at nps.gov/keaq

Snow turned to sleet, sleet turned to ice, and the National Park Service storm patrol went to work. Across the National Capital Region, crews are running rotating shifts to reopen roads, sidewalks, parks and beloved spaces safely. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/the-storm-patrol-nps-crews-rally-to-reopen-roads-sidewalks-plazas-and-parks-after-heavy-snow-and-ice.htm