Piscataway

https://www.nps.gov/pisc/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piscataway_Park Piscataway Park, located 20 miles (32 km) southwest of downtown Washington, D.C., in and around Accokeek, Maryland, protects Marshall Hall, the National Colonial Farm, and the Accokeek Creek Site. The park is located across the Potomac River from George Washington's Mount Vernon estate. Piscataway Park is named after Piscataway Creek, itself named for a Native American tribe. The park is home to bald eagles, beavers, osprey, and other wildlife and encompasses areas of wetland, meadow and woodland. Piscataway Park is home to bald eagles, beavers, deer, foxes, ospreys, and many other species. To complement the surroundings, the park has, in addition to a public fishing pier and two boardwalks over fresh water tidal wetlands, a variety of nature trails, meadows, and woodland areas. The Park is also home to National Colonial Farm. The National Colonial Farm: From the Capital Beltway (I495/95) from southbound take Exit 3, to MD210 South/Indian Head Highway. Travel approximately 9 miles, at the traffic light by B&J Carryout turn right on Livingston Road (please note that Livingston Road crosses MD210 several times) Drive one block and turn right on Biddle Road. At the stop sign, turn left on Bryan Point Road and follow about 3.5 miles. National Colonial Farm will be on the right. National Colonial Farm Visitor Center Operated in partnership with the Accokeek Foundation. The National Colonial Farm: From the Capital Beltway (I495/95) from southbound take Exit 3, to MD210 South/Indian Head Highway. Travel approximately 9 miles, at the traffic light by B&J Carryout turn right on Livingston Road (please note that Livingston Road crosses MD210 several times) Drive one block and turn right on Biddle Road. At the stop sign, turn left on Bryan Point Road and follow about 3.5 miles. National Colonial Farm will be on the right. National Colonial Farm Building at National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park Building at National Colonial Farm at Piscataway Park Living History at National Colonial Farm A woman wearing 18th century dress stands next to a blooming tree National Colonial Farm, run by the Accokeek Foundation, tells the story of a small family farm in the 1700s. Accokeek Creek Site Boardwalk Boardwalk over Accokeek Creek located in Piscataway Park Boardwalk over Accokeek Creek. Marshall Hall The remains of Marshall Hall, the house being destroyed by fire. The remains of Marshall Hall. The house was destroyed by fire. Accokeek Boardwalk a wooden boardwalk to a green marsh The Accokeek Creek Boardwalk travels through a diverse marsh ecosystem on the Potomac River. Pawpaw: Small Tree, Big Impact Pawpaw are small trees that don't grow past 100 feet. Yet they have a big influence-- they're the most commonly observed sapling in our National Capital Region forests. Pawpaw trees are virtually immune to deer browse and also produce the largest edible fruit native to North America! A hand holds a lumpy green pawpaw fruit Forest Regeneration 2018 In 2018, tree seedlings and small saplings are in short supply in the parks of the National Capital Region. Without these trees of tomorrow, what will our forests look like? A forest plot in Rock Creek Park showing some vegetation recovery. Eagles Have Peaceful Easy Feeling Bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting on national park and associated lands in the Chesapeake Bay are doing well. A recent study shows their numbers, once crippled by the effects of the insecticide DDT and other pollutants, are now growing. And juvenile eagles screened for pollutants generally showed low and undetectable exposure levels. A fluffy black eaglet sit on a towel in the sun Bat Projects in Parks: National Capital Parks East Acoustic and mist netting in Fort Washington and Piscataway Park. Scenic view of Piscataway Park's boardwalk American Eels in the Potomac Watershed American eels are found everywhere along the Atlantic Coast, but many aspects of these fish remain poorly understood. They are perhaps one of the most mysterious fish in the Potomac watershed. Hands hold a 2 to 3 foot long eel over a red container. Forest Regeneration 2017 Tree seedlings and small saplings are in short supply in the parks of the National Capital Region. Without these trees of tomorrow, what will our forests look like? A forest plot showing tree seedling and low-growing plant recovery. Stream Restoration Dreams: Stage Zero Learn “stage zero” stream restoration basics and how they could be applied in Mid-Atlantic streams. Water spreads across the ground around standing and fallen trees Ash Tree Update 2017 The state of ash trees in 2017 in the National Capital Region after more than 10 years of harm from the invasive emerald ash borer. A white ash leaf Oak Decline Learn more about oak decline where a host of stressors interact to weaken trees over time, leading to what becomes "death by a thousand cuts." Looking up into the canopy of a mature oak showing symptoms of oak decline. Spring Amphibian Timeline Learn how the progression of amphibian appearances unfurls every spring. A gray tree frog clings to a small tree branch. Amphibian Diversity & Habitat Connectivity Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to amphibian communities, especially in National Capital Region parks at risk due to the region's growing urbanization. A small frog crouches on a lichen-covered rock. Memorials for the Future Memorials for the Future, is a competition that aims to rethink the way we develop and experience memorials in Washington, D.C. Memorials for the Future Logo Thanks for joining us! Thank you for joining us! Thank you to everyone who attended our first informational meeting about the transfer of operational responsibility of Fort Washington Marina. Amphibian Disease Risk in the National Capital Area Looking for disease, including ranaviruses and chytrid fungi, is an important part of amphibian monitoring done by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network. Learn more about the risks posed by these diseases and the biosecurity protocols field crews use to reduce the risk of accidental spread. Red-spotted newt on brown forest floor leaves. Black spots and eyes contrast with vivid orange skin. Forest Soils Highlights from a 2007-2017 study of soils in National Capital Region Network I&M-monitored parks. Includes discussion of parent materials, heavy metal soil pollutants like lead, and how past land use effects O horizons. Collage of 6 color photos of soil profiles showing colors from orange-y reds to browns and grays. Stiltgrass and Tree Seedling Recovery Recent analysis at Maryland's Catoctin Mountain Park shows Japanese stiltgrass does not limit the growth of tree seedlings in a forest recovering from deer overpopulation. Invasive Japanese stiltgrass blankets the sides of a shady forest road. Spotted Lanternfly 101 What you need to know about spotted lanternfly: a new, invasive, insect pest approaching the National Parks of the Mid-Atlantic. A spotted lanternfly with wings spread showing namesake spots Spotted Lanternfly in Perspective While spotted lanternfly and emerald ash borer are both invasive insect pests, introduced from Asia, that feed on trees (primarily), they have few other similarities. Learn how they differ in host preferences, feeding mode, and life cycle. A spotted lanternfly with black wingspots on a tree branch Indigenous Artistry: Mario Harley Mario Harley is an artisan from the Piscataway Conoy tribe, located in what is now Maryland. He uses a variety of natural materials, such as feathers, porcupine quills, birch bark, and sweet grass, in his artwork. His designs are made with Native dancers in mind. Portrait of Mario Harley inside a house. Brood X Periodical Cicadas FAQ Learn about the Brood X periodical cicadas that emerged in 2021 throughout the Mid-Atlantic U.S. A perched periodical cicada with red eyes and orange wings Forest Regeneration 2020 What is the future of our forests? A look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on 2020 monitoring data. hand holding a leaflet on a white ash seedling National Capital PRISM and Invasive Species Since invasive species don’t recognize park boundaries, we need to work together with our partners, neighbors, and other federal and state entities to manage across borders. We can’t do it alone! a hand holds a rosette of green leaves over the water Ten Tips for Visiting Piscataway Park Make the most of your visit to Piscataway Park with these ten tips. A river at sunset Sea Level Rise in the DC Area Learn about current and projected rates of sea level rise in the greater DC area, based on local water level data collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) A tall white cylinder attached to a wooden pier with Hains Point in the background. Forest Regeneration 2021 The latest look at forest regeneration capacity in National Capital Area national parks based on monitoring data from 2021. Green forest showing healthy understory of oak seedlings. Ash Tree Update 2021 Emerald ash borer (EAB) has killed most of the 300,000 ash trees in National Capital Region parks since 2014. Fewer than 80,000 living ash trees remain. Some ash-dominated swamps transformed into shrublands as ash root systems re-sprouted after EAB attack. In dry habitats, EAB proved more quickly fatal. A sunny swamp with dead tree trunks emerging from dense shrubs Vines on Trees at Forest Edges Learn how climbing vines affect tree growth and mortality in National Capital Region park forests. This material was originally presented in a 2016 resource brief. Vines climb on trees at the forest edge at Rock Creek's Barnard Hill Park. Plan Like a Park Ranger 1-Day Itinerary: Fort Washington Park & Piscataway Park Just south of Washington, D.C., are a series of forts and historic sites along the shore of the Potomac River. Oxon Cove Park & Oxon Hill Farm, Fort Foote, and Harmony Hall are just a few of the sites you can visit, but the NPS has crafted this itinerary to highlight two of those sites specifically: Fort Washington and Piscataway Parks. A flock of Geese rest in a grassy field in front of old, weathered farm buildings. Forest Regeneration 2022 Tree seedlings and small saplings are still in short supply in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2022. Sunlight filtering through a green forest with green seedlings covering most of the forest floor. Subsistence Fishing on the Potomac and Anacostia Subsistence fishing (where fishers keep what they catch) is an important use of parks in the greater Washington, DC area. Learn more about who these subsistence fishers are, what they're catching, and their motivations. Information presented comes from "Ethnographic Resource Study Subsistence Fishing on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers" (2020). Color photo of a man holding a catfish, still attached to the hook, that he has just reeled in. Ash Tree Update 2022 Emerald ash borer are still decimating ash trees in the National Capital Region. Read on for the latest look into the state of ash trees in our parks based on forest monitoring data. Metallic emerald ash borer beetle atop a chewed leaf Expanding Access to Black and Indigenous Narratives of the Potomac $47,731 grant to the Accokeek Foundation Inc. - Maryland - Building on previous work to recognize and interpret the significance of the Piscataway Park landscape to the Piscataway people, the Accokeek Foundation Inc. will curate a collection of oral histories focusing on BIPOC fishing industry workers to create effective interpretive materials. Series: 2023 Chesapeake Gateways Grant Recipients The National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways Program (NPS Chesapeake Gateways) offers competitive grant opportunities to advance the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998 within the full 41-million-acre Chesapeake Bay watershed! In September 2023, NPS Chesapeake Gateways awarded 22 grants totaling nearly $2.3 million. NPS Chesapeake Gateway's Partner logo on blue background. NCR's Forest Interior Birds Explore how forest interior breeding birds are faring in National Capital Region (NCR) parks. These species prefer the shadiest and quietest core of the forest landscape and are excellent indicators of a healthy forest ecosystem. We look at data on wood thrush, ovenbird, Kentucky warbler, Louisiana waterthrush, hooded warbler, and scarlet tanager from a report summarizing population trends for forest birds in NCR parks. a woodthrush perched on a branch with blurred green foliage background Forest Regeneration 2023 Tree seedlings and small saplings are slowly increasing in National Capital Region national parks. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2023. Three people stand in a forest, smiling and pointing to a large tree trunk between them. When Forests Come Down with a Bug: Forest Pests in the Greater DC Area Beech leaf disease, emerald ash borer, spotted lanternfly, spongy moth, oak decline and oak wilt are all pests present in National Capital Region (NCR) park forests. Learn about their effects and spread based on NCR Inventory & Monitoring data, and get the heads up on elm zigzag sawfly and beech bark disease. A black and red insect sits on a leaf. Series: Amphibian Monitoring in the National Capital Region Amphibians are a crucial part of both aquatic and land ecosystems, and National Capital Region parks are home to at least 20 different amphibian species. Learn how amphibian populations are changing based on more than fifteen years of NPS monitoring by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network. Northern red salamander on a patch of sun dappled moss NCP East Amphibian Monitoring 2023 National Capital Parks - East is hopping! Learn what recent amphibian monitoring data shows us about amphibian populations in the park! American toad (Bufo americanus) Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park System To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Two-Horned Trapa (Trapa bispinosa) Two-horned trapa (Trapa bispinosa) is an invasive aquatic plant that's considered an early detection rapid response species in the greater Washington, DC region. Learn how to identify it, differentiate it from the Eurasian water chestnut, and help be on the lookout for this invasive species. A floating green water plant with diamond shaped leaves around a small pink flower. Native Grapes Seven species of grapes are native to the National Capital Region. Learn how to tell them apart, where they grow, and how they benefit birds, bugs, and beasts alike. Multiple clusters of grapes hang off of a leafy vine. Oaks of the National Capital Region Out of the 50 oak species native to the eastern United States, 20 are native to the National Capital Region (NCR). Learn more about these oak species and where they can be found across NCR parks. Green oak leaves against a forested background. Christmas berry (Photinia villosa) Learn about Christmas berry (Photinia villosa), an invasive shrub considered an early detection rapid response species in the greater Washington, DC region in 2024. Cluster of white flowers above green leaves Guide to the Ronald F. Lee Papers This finding aid describes the Ronald F. Lee Papers, part of the NPS History Collection. Ronald F. Lee Black Fountaingrass Black fountaingrass (Cenchrus purpurascens) is an invasive plant that is also a popular ornamental grass because of its red-to-purple-colored flowerhead. It can be found in plazas and housing complexes throughout the greater Washington, DC area and it spreads quickly. Learn how to identify it and how to help control its spread. A grass plant with yellow-reddish seed heads. Forest Regeneration 2024 Forest regeneration in the National Capital Region continues to slowly improve, especially in parks that manage their deer populations. A look at forest regeneration capacity based on monitoring data from 2024. Forest with tall trees in the background and green saplings in the foreground National Park Service Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Fort Washington Marina The NPS is seeking an operator that will continue to attract an array of boating and recreation visitors and serve the surrounding community. Potential operators are invited to submit their proposals through September 5, 2023. A wooden deck extends into the distance next to a multistory marina building up a flight of stairs.

Piscataway Park National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Piscataway Park Maryland What is Piscataway Park? It's where land meets water and present meets past along the tidal Potomac River in one of the nation's earliest public-private preservation achievements. Piscataway Park is home-grown. In the 1950s local residents saw that encroaching development threatened the natural beauty across the river from George Washington's Mount Vernon. Alice Ferguson, Frances Payne Bolton, and others laid the groundwork for a new kind of park where open space is protected and enjoyed by the public. Catch of the day. Below: View from Mount Vernon. Established in 1961, Piscataway Park today covers some 5,000 acres and stretches for six miles along the river from Piscataway Creek to Marshall Hall. The National Park Service, Alice Ferguson Foundation, Accokeek Foundation, local and state agencies, and many citizens work together to ensure that tranquil scenery, wildlife habitat, and park goers can coexist. View of the marsh from the boardwalk. Kayaks at Fort Washington Marina. GETTY IMAGES Piscataway Park is Green Space .« Wetlands, woods, meadows, and streams—remnants of old Prince George's County— are reached by back roads, trails, boardwalks, and waterways. With varied habitats in a relatively small area, Piscataway is ideal for birding. In open areas look for colorful songbirds and bald eagles, which nest along the river. Marshy areas are homes or rest stops for ospreys, great blue herons, mallards, wood ducks, and other waterfowl. George Washington said of his beloved Mount Vernon, "No estate m Umteu America is more pleasantly situated than this." Today the serene green of the Maryland shoreline across the Potomac River looks much as it did in Washington's time, thanks to Piscataway Park. You can sometimes see beavers gliding through the water near their dam. Whitetailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, and rabbits are common sights, while red foxes, moles, and shrews tend to stay hidden. Turtles bask on rock "islands" in calm water. Snakes hunt for mice, frogs, and other small prey. Swallowtail butterfly. Above left: Wild geranium. Cast a line for dozens of fish species in the park's creeks, marshes, and river waters. Piscataway Creek is one of the Washington area's premier bass fishing spots. Other catches include blue catfish, hickory shad, longnose gar, black crappie, American eel, pumpkinseed, bluegill, brown bullhead, white perch, yellow perch, and common carp. Piscataway Park Brings the Past to Life Across the river is Mount Vernon, home of George and Martha Washington. In the southwestern part of the park is Marshall Hall, another 1700s plantation that once covered thousands of acres. You can see the remains of the 1730s manor house, the Marshall family cemetery, and the site of the 1950s-60s amusement park. People have lived on these shores for thousands of years. Piscataway Indians occupied villages from the Anacostia River stretching southward into Charles and St. Mary's counties. Their regional influence continues today in place names like "Potomac" and "Accokeek," land use patterns, and transportation routes. Piscataway people still live in southern Maryland and this park is a sacred part of their homeland. They often gather here to celebrate their heritage and pass on traditions to the next generation. Most farmers were not rich—just ordinary folks. The National Colonial Farm, an outdoor living history museum, was established in 1957 to depict the life of typical tobacco planters in the 1770s. The Piscataway Indians first encountered Europeans in 1608 when Capt. John Smith's expedition sailed up the Potomac. Soon the Piscataway were conducting business—and sometimes fighting—with 'the increasing numbers of English traders and settlers. By the 1700s farms and plantations lined the Potomac. As Washington, D.C., grew in the 20th century, so did Prince George's County. Yet, thanks to the local citizens who pushed to establish this park, you can connect with the past in this rural refuge. From left: Coastal Algonquian man, ca. 1590; Piscataway Indian Nation Chief Turkey Tayac; National Colonial Farm volunteer, dressed as an enslaved worker, harvests tobacco; Marshall Hall before the 1981 fire. Below: Fishing pier. < I PISCATAWAY INDIAN NATION % < o c Your Day at Piscataway Park N a t i o n a l Colonial Farm a n d Ecosystem Farm This reconstructed 1770s farmstead shows w h a t life was like f o r typical southern Maryland tobacco planters. Explore t h e d w e l l i n g , tobacco barn, smokehouse, kitchen, and crop fields. Historic varieties of field crops like Orinoco tobacco, Virginia Gourdseed corn, and Red May w h e a t are g r o w n seasonally and produce heirloom seed stock. Costumed interpreters demonstrate Colonial-era sewing, cooking, spinning, dyeing, c a n d l e m a k i n g , gardening, w o o d w o r k i n g , and playing games. Look i n t o agriculture's f u t u r e at t h e