Fort Dupont Park

Fort Dupont Park Washington, D.C. A "park for all seasons" describes the 376 rolling wooded acres that m a k e u p one of the largest parks in all of Washington. Picnics, n a t u r e walks, Civil War p r o g r a m s , gardening, environmental education, music, skating, sports, a n d youth p r o g r a m s are a m o n g the varied seasonal activities at this spacious area east of the Anacostia River. A m o n g t h e traces of old roadways, oaks, beech, maples, and pine cover the hillsides. Squirrels a n d rabbits find h o m e s along with the night foragers—raccoons a n d o p o s s u m s . The pink lady-slipper orchid blooms in quiet s h a d e . Drawing of Fort Dupont, showing gun emplacements and a sally port. Courtesy Fort Ward Museum. At the park's Activity Center, heart of m u c h that goes on, park rangers lead works h o p s a n d walks. Neighboring schools bring y o u n g students for nature study a n d to learn about special people, cultural traditions, a n d holiday events. T h e center's showcases display uniforms a n d equipm e n t of black soldiers w h o s e r v e d t h e Union in the Civil War. Summer days are alive with children participating in a Junior Ranger program. Weekend jazz concerts, free to all, d r a w people to the lawns around the outdoor s u m m e r stage. of freedom. R u n a w a y slaves found here before moving o n to join the g community of " c o n t r a b a n d s " in W. ton. The barracks a n d g u n s are go The Fort the fort's earthworks can still be trao East of the Activity Center the park land the picnic area on Alabama Avenue. In the 1930s the National Capital P; rises to a high ridge, where a bronze plaque on a boulder just off Alabama A v e n u e Planning Commission acquired the • marks the site of Fort Dupont as "one of the a n d surrounding land for recreate defenses b e g u n in the fall of 1861." More 18-hole golf course w a s constructed, t h a n 100 years ago, in the Civil War, the the city grew, golf gave w a y in 197C siege g u n s of Fort Dupont g u a r d e d the sports complex along Ely Place that i Eleventh Street bridge over the Anacostia eludes tennis a n d basketball courts,. River n e a r the Washington N a v y Yard. fields, and a Softball d i a m o n d . An Abraham Lincoln had no sooner taken the ice rink offers skating all winter. Where once the Civil War fort lool presidential oath to uphold the Union than war began. The capital city, says one history over farmlands, city dwellers nov account, "was an island in a hostile sea," vegetables in c o m m u n i t y garden pic The sound of busy traffic around tl because it stood between the Confederacy a n d Maryland's doubtful loyalty. Engineers is h u s h e d at picnic spots u n d e r the t hastily set to work to fortify the high points hiker-biker trail circling the park als< of ground all around Washington. By the a break from the city s o u n d s . Whatever the day's activity, the p e n d of the war, 68 forts and 93 g u n batteries precious community asset. All w h o > formed a ring around the city. This particular fort had six sides, each 100 can help to keep it that way. feet long, protected by a deep moat and trees felled side by side with branches pointing outward. It was named for Flag Officer S a m u e l F. du Pont, w h o c o m m a n d e d the naval victory at Port Royal, South Carolina, in November 1861. Although its garrison and g u n s never saw battle, Fort Dupont served as a lifeline Fort Dupont Parte ! Washington! D.C. • '•>- How to Get There Facilities From downtown Washington, drive east on Pennsylvania Ave., SE, and cross the Sousa Bridge. Turn left on Minnesota Ave. and proceed to Randle Circle. Turn right at the circle to the entrance at Fort Dupont Drive. Or, from Benning Rd., turn right on Minnesota Ave. to Randle Circle. Left around circle to the park. METRO: Blue or Orange Lines to Potomac Ave. station on Minnesota Ave. Transfer to V4 or V6 bus along Minnesota Ave., SE. Most available to handicapped y 3 • Activity Center: crafts, nature walks, films; call 426-7745 • Hiker-Biker trail • Free summer concerts • Junior Ranger program, ages 7-14 • Community gardens; call 426-7723 for permit • Picnic areas; to reserve space, call D.C. Department of Recreation, 673-7647 • Indoor ice rink (fee, skate rental, lessons; call 584-3040) Hours Information • • Activity Center: 8 am-4 pm Monday through Fridav (Tuesday through Saturday in summer) • Summer Theatre: 7:30-11:30 pm Fridays and Saturdays (June through August) Fort Dupont Park is administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the.. Interior. Call (202) 426-7745, 472-2676 V/TDD, or write: National Capital Parks East 1900 Anacostia Drive, SE Washington, DC 20020 Courtesy of Parks and History Association, Washington, D.C, 1989, in cooperation with the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.