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The Yards Park

355 Water Street SE
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The Yards Park, a premier 5.4-acre waterfront destination in the heart of Navy Yard, provides green space and water features for all to enjoy the outdoors along the Anacostia River. Designed by landscape architect M. Paul Friedberg and opened in 2010, this award-winning park is built as a series of outdoor "rooms" featuring the Dancing Fountains with playful water jets and color-changing lights, the Canal Basin and Waterwall that pay homage to the historic canal that once connected the river to the U.S. Capitol, and a sculptural pedestrian bridge linking the Great Lawn to the Overlook. Visitors can stroll the quarter-mile boardwalk along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, relax in the shaded River Street Gardens, or take in river views from the Terraced Lawn Steps. The park hosts year-round programming including a free Friday Night Concert Series in the summer, fitness classes, festivals, and community events, making it a vibrant gathering place for residents, workers, and visitors alike.

Park Hours
7:00AM—10:00PM

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

Quick Access

Hold an Event in the Park
FAQ’s
Explore The Park
The Yards Park History

Explore The Yards Park

Dancing Fountains, Canals & Waterwall

The Dancing Fountains at the entrance to Yards Park combine playful water jets and water scrims. At night, the fountain area is illuminated with color-changing lights. The connected Canal Basin and Waterwall pay homage to the historic canal that once ran from the Anacostia River to the U.S. Capitol Building.

Great Lawn & Dog Run

The Great Lawn is a large open green space framed by shading trees, unique wooden benches, and a scenic pathway to the Riverwalk Trail Bridge, leading to Diamond Teague Park and Nationals Park. This lovely spot is ideal for quiet picnics, tossing a ball, and enjoying the outdoors. Dogs are required to be on a leash throughout the parks. The nearby fenced-in Dog Run gives furry friends the opportunity to run free.

Yards Park Bridge

The sculptural bridge is the architectural icon of Yards Park, spanning the Canal Basin as it connects the Great Lawn and the Overlook. The bridge also serves as a landmark link on the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, a scenic destination for runners, bikers, and strollers to enjoy our river.

Overlook

Enjoy beautiful river views from The Overlook. Stretched canvas awnings, recalling sailing ships on the water, provide shade over bistro tables and chairs for a lovely al fresco picnic lunch.

Terraced Lawn Steps

The Terraced Lawn Steps provide four levels of seating in the park leading down to the boardwalk. These green steps create a natural amphitheater-like space to read, people-watch, and enjoy the river view.

Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a part of the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail System, running a quarter mile along Yards Park. Made of IPE decking, the boardwalk provides a water’s edge experience throughout the length of the park.

River Street Gardens

Located on the eastern side of the park, the lush River Street Gardens provide a quiet area to sit, relax, and enjoy the shade on decorative wooden benches & chaise lounges.

Light Tower

The Light Tower stands 60-feet tall on the water’s edge. Designed by renowned artist Jamie Carpenter, this sculpture features prisms that reflect light by day, and are illuminated from within at night.

Park Event Rentals

More information about our event rentals are coming soon. Stay tuned our get in touch with our team for pressing requests.

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Yards Park History

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1916

Early History

The Yards Park is closely linked with that of the neighboring Washington Navy Yard, located just to the east of the Park. The Yards Park is situated on land added to the Navy Yard in 1916 in reaction to World War I. The land was later deemed surplus in the early 1960s and transferred to the General Services Administration (GSA). Some of the historic buildings of the time still exist around the park and echo its Naval origins.

2003

Development of Yards Park

Following the Southeast Federal Center Public-Private Development Act of 2000, GSA awarded the 42-acre riverfront site to Forest City Washington for a new urban mixed-use development in 2003. The Anacostia Watershed Initiative, a large planning effort by the District and others, envisioned a waterfront park at the center of the redevelopment of this new mixed-use development. That vision became The Yards Park – a 5.4 acre open space that was a critical component of the development process for the larger 42 acre sub-neighborhood. Yards Park was completed in 2010 and is maintained for the District by the Navy Yard BID.

2025

Yards Park Today

The park operates on an annual budget of over $1 million, supporting maintenance, programming, security, and renovations. Funding comes primarily from tax revenue, along with private contributions, sponsorships, and event lease revenue.

While it serves daily as open green space for neighbors and nearby employees, the park also hosts dynamic programming. The Friday Night Concert Series draws crowds of nearly 3,000 each week, attracting visitors from across the region, while free riverside fitness classes offer a unique way to start or end the day.

Frequently Asked Questions

No fishing is allowed.

No, we do not allow grilling or open flames in the park. Please bring a picnic instead and clean up afterwards. There are plenty of available trash bins throughout Navy Yard and in the Park.

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

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

The park opens at sunrise and closes 2 hours after sunset.

By DC law, smoking is prohibited in Yards Park.

Yes! The Navy Yard BID recently installed free WiFi in Yards Park.

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

Alcohol is prohibited in the park in accordance with DC public park regulations.

Yes, but dogs must be on a leash in the park at all times. Furry friends can play off leashed in our fenced Dog Run, just east of the Great Lawn. Dogs are not allowed in any of the water features. As a courtesy to everyone, please clean up after your pet.

The address for GPS is 355 Water Street SE, Washington, DC 20003.

There are many modes you can take to get to Yards Park. The Park is easily accessible via MetroRail (Green Line), Metro Bus & Capital Bikeshare, and bicycle racks are available on-site.

MetroRail (Green Line) The nearest stops are the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro Station, New Jersey Avenue exit which brings you to the corner of M Street SE and New Jersey Avenue SE. From here, walk 1 block south on New Jersey Avenue SE, with the US Department of Transportation on your left. Turn left on Tingey Street, then right on 3rd street. This road leads directly to the park's "dancing fountains."

Parking lots are located between Yards Park and Nationals Ballpark, managed by ABM Parking. Availability is first-come, first-served. Limited metered street parking is also available.

From sunrise to 2 hours after sunset daily, though it is sometimes closed for Navy Yard events that require security, or due to their own security concerns.

No. Per policies set by DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and Department of Health (DOH), wading and swimming in the Canal Basin is prohibited. The water feature was not built with the proper filtration or safety to be used as a pool.