Kenilworth Park in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Preserve and Protect
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
National parks are special places owned by all Americans. Caring for these treasures is everyone's job. Throughout the country, citizen organized friends grouped to get people interested in and involved with preserving natural and cultural treasures.
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is a non-profit organization. We work in cooperation with the National Park Service to connect people to this park through stewardship, public engagement and education programs.
To Preserve, Protect and Provide for the benefit of future generations:
The National Park Service
Since 1939, the National Park Service (NPS) has operated and maintained Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. NPS shifted the purpose of the gardens — from propagating and selling lilies and lotus — to interpreting and educating visitors about the site's history, ecosystems and aquatic plants.
In addition to park rangers leading tours and educational programs, a dedicated maintenance staff keeps the ponds, buildings and grounds in good repair.
The Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens help the National Park Service in its mission.
Five Star Staff
Some
this page online
Local residents have also become influential rangers here. One being Walter McDowney, winner of the 1985 NPS Freeman Tilden Award for excellence in interpretation.
Growing up, Walter, "Ranger Mac" to visitors, often explored these gardens on his own and through ranger-led activities. Then, in 1968, he was hired as one of the first African American national park rangers. He inspired everyone with his love of nature.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.
Location. 38° 54.76′ N, 76° 56.523′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Kenilworth Park. It is on Anacostia Avenue Northeast just west of Ponds Street Northeast, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1550 Anacostia Avenue Northeast, Washington DC 20019, United
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Helen Shaw Fowler (a few steps from this marker); Original Hothouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Display Pools (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauty and Business (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (about 600 feet away); Victoria amazonica (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boardwalk to Tidal Marsh (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northeast Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Aquatic Greenhouse #3 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); Aquatic Greenhouse #1 (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 345 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on February 10, 2020, by Bruce Guthrie of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photos: 1. submitted on October 27, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 2. submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
