WELCOME TO WATTS BRANCH PARK!

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Watts Branch Park Photo Gallery

This is the official trailhead to the longest city park in Washington, DC. Beginning at 63rd Street, NE, Watts Branch Park extends 1.5 miles through what is arguably the longest continuously African-American community in the country. There have been Black landowners in this section of DC, Pattentees of King Charles, since 1696. The stream and trail run through the Far Northeast neighborhoods of the district - Capitol Heights, Northeast Boundary, Burrville, Lincoln Heights, Deanwood, Hillbrook, and Eastland Gardens. Watts Branch Park is the Green Eastern Gateway to our nation's capital. The park is a corridor of green extending from Prince George's County, MD, to the banks of the Anacostia River, yet most people have not heard of it. Proper signage is a first step toward raising awareness and encouraging an in crease in positive use of this unique and valuable resource.

Neil Albert, Director of the DC Department of Parks and Recreation, affirmed the commitment of his staff and resources to keep Watts Branch maintained and to initiate long overdue and much-needed improvements to the space. DC Mayor Anthony Williams also took part in the festivities, announcing that Watts Branch Park was among his highest environmental commitments for the District of Columbia. Young artists from Lifepieces to Masterpieces displayed their artwork and community members came out to support the partnership between Parks & People, neighbors of Watts Branch Park, and the District of Columbia.

Washington Parks & People, with the support and assistance of community members, launched the Down By The Riverside Campaign to restore, reclaim, and revitalize Watts Branch Park during Easter Weekend of 2001. To coincide with the Christian Holy Day of Resurrection symbolized our shared commitment to foster a rebirth of community through increased environmental stewardship, park advocacy, and hours of hard work in the coming months and years - all with the goal of returning Watts Branch Park to it's glorious natural state.

Read more about the Down By The Riverside Campaign History and check out the Riverside Center.

MIRACLE WORKERS IN THE WATTS BRANCH STREAM-VALLEY

Community members and outside volunteers, adults and young people, many races, many economic backgrounds, many levels of interest and ability...Volunteers have been the lifeblood of the Down By The Riverside Campaign to Save Watts Branch Park. These young people are attacking the poison ivy vines that had overrun Heritage Park, a hub of the trail that handles a lot of pedestrian traffic. Meanwhile, volunteers work on the bridge below 63rd and Dix Street, the most dangerous section of the park due to low visibility and high levels of abandonment by neighbors and city agencies. Their work clearing sight lines has dramatically improved visibility in Heritage Park and on the bridge, making the space safer for neighborhood residents.

Photo Credit Cindy Godden To see more Photos by Cindy Godden, click here.

THE WATTS BRANCH STREAM Chantelle Blanton on the banks of Watts Branch Stream. On June 2, 2001, Chantelle led the first Hike and Bike through Watts Branch Park in at least a decade. According to the Bureau of Watershed Protection Water Quality Report of 2001 for Watts Branch, the stream is unsafe for recreational swimming 100% of the time, and unsafe for secondary recreational use 68.7% of the time due to surface fecal coliform. That means young people like Chantelle can't play, splash, or learn about aquatic life in Watts Branch Stream.

THE BRIDGES OF WATTS BRANCH These photos are of several pedestrian bridges spanning Watts Branch Stream. To the left is a bridge near the trailhead at 61st Street, two blocks away from the Watts Branch Recreation Center, and scheduled for replacement in 2004. Below left is a photo of the bridge below 53rd and Dix, the most crime-ridden section of the park, after volunteers worked to clear the sight lines and create a natural ampitheatre for performances. Below right is a photo of a well maintained bridge near Ladybird Johnson Park on Minnesota Avenue. Here the Watts Branch trail is cut off by the Baltimore-Washington Parkway only to pick up again in Kenilworth Park on the other side of the overpass. A safe pedestrian passage to Kenilworth Park would enable one to walk or bike the entire length of Watts Branch Stream to the mouth of the Anacostia River. A new trail and park plan will soon bring new bridges to the length of Watts Branch.

WATTS BRANCH PARK COMMUNITY HARVEST DAY PARADE OF THANKSGIVING

Possibly the longest ever name for a Parks & People event, the November 17 parade was a true celebration of thanks for all of the hard work that went into revitalizing Watts Branch in 2001. The Watts Branch Recreation Center cheerleaders led the way, and The Rhythm Workers Union provided the cadence for the first ever Watts Branch Park Parade. The Rhythm Workers' Mother Drum Ship needed repairs after being pulled through the parks's potholes and jostled over curbs that are not cut for wheeled access. Young people from the Watts Branch Recreation Center still enjoyed playing on the portable drum machine and using the instruments provided by the Rhythm Workers!

To join the campaign, contact us online or call us at 202-GO-2-PARK (202-462-7275).