Kenilworth Park in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens!

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

— National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior —

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 21, 2026

1. Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Marker

Inscription.
An Oasis in the City
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens was created to preserve a variety of aquatic plants, many with histories spanning generations.

This aquatic garden began as a commercial enterprise known as Shaw's Water Garden that worked harmoniously with the natural environment.

Then as now, water for the ponds flows from the Anacostia River through the adjacent tidal wetlands. Unlike many wetland areas along the Anacostia River, Kenilworth's were not drained and filled. Instead they were kept intact for the aquatic plant business.

Since 1938, the National Park Service has preserved and interpreted not only the colorful lilies and lotus found in the ponds, but also the native aquatic plants of this wetland ecosystem.

[Caption:]
Visitors of all ages enjoy the year-round beauty of the park, especially during peak lotus bloom, from late June to early August.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.

Location. 38° 54.787′ N,

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76° 56.508′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Kenilworth Park. It can be reached from Anacostia Avenue Northeast south of Ponds Street Northeast, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1550 Anacostia Ave NE, Washington DC 20019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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: Original Hothouses (within shouting distance of this marker); Helen Shaw Fowler (within shouting distance of this marker); Preserve and Protect (within shouting distance of this marker); Display Pools (within shouting distance of this marker); Beauty and Business (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens (about

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 21, 2026

2. Welcome to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Marker

500 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 #1 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); Aquatic Greenhouse #3 (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on February 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 21, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.