Yards Park

Yards Park. A 5.5-acre public park and waterfront destination located along the Anacostia River in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. Opened in 2010, it serves as a central civic space for the redeveloped Yards district, blending contemporary design with recreational amenities and hosting a wide array of community and cultural events throughout the year.

History

The park's site is part of the historic Washington Navy Yard, a major United States Navy shipbuilding and ordnance facility established in 1799. For much of the 20th century, the area was an industrial zone dominated by the Southeast Federal Center and other federal installations. The land transfer and redevelopment process was facilitated by the District of Columbia government and the General Services Administration as part of the Anacostia Waterfront Initiative. Master developer Forest City Washington, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation, led the transformation, with Yards Park representing the first major public open space completed in the new neighborhood. Its opening catalyzed further residential and commercial growth in the surrounding blocks, marking a significant shift from post-industrial land to a vibrant mixed-use community.

Design and features

Designed by the landscape architecture firm OLIN, the park integrates innovative water features, sustainable design, and flexible public plazas. Its most iconic element is the **Canal Basin**, a landscaped water channel with a dramatic **water curtain** and **lighted fountains** that create an interactive environment. The **Riverwalk** provides continuous pedestrian and bicycle access along the Anacostia River, connecting to the larger Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Other key features include the **Boardwalk**, the **Great Lawn** for gatherings, and the distinctive **Bridge** and **Overlook** structures offering panoramic views. The park incorporates **rain gardens** and other green infrastructure for stormwater management, aligning with the environmental goals of the Anacostia Watershed Society. The adjacent **Lumber Shed** and **Boilermaker Shops** are historic structures repurposed for retail and restaurant use.

Events and programming

Yards Park is a hub for year-round civic and cultural activities, operated and programmed by Forest City Washington. It hosts the popular **Friday Night Concert Series** during summer months, alongside outdoor film screenings, fitness classes, and seasonal festivals like **Winter on the Waterfront**. The park is a key venue for neighborhood events such as the Capitol Riverfront's **Fireworks on the Waterfront** for Independence Day. Its flexible spaces are also used for corporate gatherings, charity runs like those for the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and community markets. The **Canal Basin** is occasionally used for artistic installations and temporary public art projects in collaboration with local organizations like the Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Surrounding development

The park is the centerpiece of the larger Yards development, a $3 billion, 48-acre mixed-use project by Forest City Washington and its partners. Immediately surrounding the park are residential buildings such as **The Foundry** and **The Bond**, along with offices for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The historic **Boilermaker Shops** building houses restaurants and retailers, while the **Lumber Shed** is home to the **Bluejacket** brewery. The development also includes the **Yards Marina** and is adjacent to the Washington Nationals' Nationals Park. This concentration of housing, commerce, and entertainment has established the Capitol Riverfront as one of the fastest-growing neighborhoods in the District of Columbia.

Transportation and access

The park is highly accessible via multiple modes of public transportation. It is directly served by the Navy Yard–Ballpark station on the Washington Metro's Green Line. Several Metrobus routes, including the DC Circulator, provide connections to Capitol Hill, the National Mall, and Downtown Washington, D.C.. The park is a major node on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail and the Capital Crescent Trail, encouraging bicycle access with ample **Bikeshare** docks. For vehicular access, it is near the I-295 corridor and has managed parking facilities within the surrounding development. Its location also makes it a stop for Potomac Riverboat Company water taxis connecting to Alexandria, Virginia and the The Wharf.

Category:Parks in Washington, D.C. Category:Waterfront parks in the United States