Skip to main content

Canal Park

200 M Street SE, Washington DC 20003
View on Google Maps

Canal Park is a 3 acre neighborhood-centric park that opened in 2012 as a model of sustainable design for an outdoor space. The park is home to seasonal events, dancing fountains in the warmer months, and ice skating in the winter.

Park Hours
8:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Please click here to read a Letter to the Community Regarding Use of the Canal Basin in Yards Park

Quick Access

FAQ’s
Explore The Park
The Yards Park History

Explore Canal Park

Northern Block

The Northern Block is home to a large open green space. This lovely spot is ideal for picnics, lawn games, tossing a ball, and open-format events.

Middle Block

Canal Park’s Middle Block features grassy areas for play and relaxation, benches with A/C power for your laptops and mobile devices, water scrims to cool your feet in the summer, and a small stage which hosts bands and other small acts on a regular basis.

Southern Block

The Southern Block is Canal Park’s culinary and social hub. Atop the restaurant space sits the Light Cube, containing color-change lights and three projectors with various multimedia possibilities. Seasonal features include the popular Dancing Fountains in summer and the Canal Park Ice Rink in winter.

Yards Park History

Next
Next
1815

Washington City Canal

Historically, Canal Park draws its name from the Washington City Canal. From 1815 to the 1850s, the historic Washington City Canal connected the Anacostia River and the Potomac via the National Mall. In the early 1900's, the Washington Canal was paved over to create Canal Street.

‍

2000

Park Development

Ownership of Canal Street was transferred to the District of Columbia and utilized by the District government for several interim purposes, including a parking lot for DC Public School buses. In 2000, local developer WC Smith formed the nonprofit organization Canal Park Development Association (CPDA) to secure the site and oversee development of the park. WC Smith, along with the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) and the District's Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) commissioned a design competition that shaped several initial elements of the park. A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the park was held in 2010.

‍

2012

Sustainable Design

Canal Park's design evokes the history of the area with a linear rain garden reminiscent of the Washington Canal and three pavilions which recall floating barges that were once common in the canal. The pavilion structures minimize the park's environmental footprint with geothermal heating and cooling and the use of green roofs and recycled materials. The rain gardens are part of a water filtration system to reduce runoff that would eventually make its way to the river.

‍

2012

Low Impact Design

Low Impact Design tree pits and bio swales also provide filtration for street-level runoff surrounding the Park. Other park infrastructure allows surrounding buildings to send rainwater into Canal Park's 80,000 gallon underground cisterns, creating a truly neighborhood scale storm water management system. The water is filtered through a large rain garden along the eastern edge of the Park before reuse. The storm water runoff generated by the park satisfies up to 95% of the park's water needs for irrigation, fountain water, and ice rink water.

‍

2025

Park Features & Programming

During the winter, the southern block becomes an outdoor skating rink. During the summer, that same block features a 42 jet dancing fountain. Bubbling rain gardens and water scrims in the other blocks call out to the site's historic canal heritage. Canal Park has hosted festivals as well as corporate picnics and weddings. The neighborhood's fitness offerings also extend to Canal Park. Canal Park is managed by the non-profit Canal Park Inc. The Capitol Riverfront BID is contracted by Canal Park Inc. to manage park features as well as provide community programming and marketing.

‍

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, there are ramps and sidewalks that provide wheelchair access to all areas of the park from the street and crosswalks.

Alcohol is prohibited in the park in accordance with DC public park regulations. For rules regarding alcohol service during reserved events, please inquire.

Yes, but dogs must be on a leash in the park. As a courtesy to everyone, please come prepared to clean up after your pet as well. Dogs are not allowed in any of the water features.

Canal Park is easily accessible via MetroRail (Green Line), Metro Bus & Circulator, Capital Bikeshare, and bicycle racks are available on-site.

The nearest stops are located by the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station, New Jersey Avenue exit at the corner of M Street SE and New Jersey Avenue SE.

From here, walk 1 block east on M Street SE. Canal Park will be on your left at 200 M Street SE, extending north of M Street for three blocks.

No, we do not allow grilling or open flames in the park. Please bring a picnic instead.

All lost and found items are kept at the Navy Yard BID office.

Contact info@navyyarddc.org with any inquiries.

If you lost your items while visiting the Canal Park Ice Rink, contact their office directly at 202-850-0859.

There are a large variety of restaurants near Canal Park with something for everyone.

The park opens at sunrise and closes at sundown.