5 ways to enjoy the rock creek parklands this summer
Kids are out of school, hummingbirds are chirping, pollinators are hard at work, and the forest is an astonishing green…it feels like summer in Rock Creek Park! With so much going on in the next few months, it can be hard to decide what to do. But don’t worry – we have a few suggestions! Here are 5 ways to enjoy the Rock Creek parklands this summer:
1. come to ‘summer in the parks’
Each Thursday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm in June and August, the Conservancy and the National Park Service will host ‘Summer in the Parks’. There will be outdoor games and activities, music from DJ Lance Reynolds, and more. Bring your family and friends, a picnic dinner, and your love for Rock Creek Park.
Event locations rotate monthly. Registration is not required, but highly encouraged, to receive event reminders and updates.
2. make a hands on difference - volunteer with us
The people-powered restoration work our volunteers do to remove litter from the park, clear the forest floor of invasive species, and plant native species is essential to preserving and protecting Rock Creek Park. If you #LoveRockCreek like we do, sign up for a volunteer event (or two or three!) this summer and help us take care of it.
3. Grab your hiking boots (or running shoes, bike, skateboard, magic carpet, etc.) and explore
There are so many NPS hiking trails to explore in the park. And now that upper Beach Drive is open for recreation, you have even more room to stretch your legs! While you’re out and about, be sure to look out for Rock Creek Conservancy staff, who are sure to be hard at work restoring the park.
You will spot our summer RC3 members in areas like Trail 9, Fort Slocum, and Broad Branch, leading volunteers in invasive removals and litter cleanups. You might also run into local high school students working as Rock Creek Conservation Corps (RC3) crew members, where they participate in environmental education, park restoration, and community building. Finally, you might get lucky and spot a Green Infrastructure Technician or two canvassing your neighborhood for our downspout disconnection program or maintaining the District’s green infrastructure.
4. Get creative - and tag #LoveRockCreek when you do
Nature is often a wonderful source of inspiration for art, whether your preferred medium is photography, painting, music, or even silk screening (like Rock Creek’s good friend Lou Stovall), we encourage you to get outside and see what speaks to you. Then, share your work with the world and tag us on Instagram or Twitter with #LoveRockCreek for a chance to be featured on our channels!
5. enjoy a picnic with friends and family
One of the things we love most about Rock Creek Park is how it brings communities together. There are plenty of places for you to picnic with friends or family throughout the park, some of which require reservations, so make sure you visit the NPS website in advance.
We hope this helps inspire you to spend some time in our beloved natural oasis this summer!
No matter how you decide to enjoy the park, please remember to always Recreate Responsibly. That means keeping your pets on a leash at all times, staying out of the water and on trails, and picking up after yourself and your animals. You can watch or listen to these videos that explain why it is so important to #RecreateResponsibly in Rock Creek Park