Enjoy (and volunteer at) annual Lotus and Water Lily Festival
A park ranger at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens poses with giant Amazonian lily pads , which can grow up to 10 feet wide. Photo: NPS
Spectacular water lily and lotus views
Nature at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Ward 7 is something to behold, especially in July and August. Visit the gardens and see spectacular 3-foot-tall lotuses and vibrantly colored lilies during peak bloom at the Lotus and Water Lily Festival Saturday, July 21 and Sunday, July 22, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Join the National Park Service and Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens for the free festivities featuring nature, culture, and community. Over the two days, enjoy live music and dance performances, gardening workshops, live animal programs, and many more activities that capture the essence of the historic gardens.
Photo: Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
“Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens is unique, as it’s the last tidal marsh in Washington, D.C., which contributes to cleansing the Anacostia River,” Anacostia Park Superintendent Tara Morrison said. “The enchanting lotuses and water lilies that bloom at the gardens give us a gentle reminder of how important it is to preserve green spaces in the city.”
Volunteer at the Lotus and Water Lily Festival
NPS and the friends group cannot do this event alone. If you are interested in volunteering, sign up online: Lotus & Water Lily Festival, July 21, Lotus & Water Lily Festival, July 22.
2018 has been declared the Year of the Anacostia by Congress, state agencies, local organizations and community members. The Year of the Anacostia is a yearlong invitation to honor history, celebrate progress and enjoy the Anacostia River and its surroundings as we envision its inspiring future. For the Year of the Anacostia, the National Park Service invites you to celebrate Anacostia Park, which turns 100 on August 31, 2018, and to honor 200 years of the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass at his historic home in the Anacostia neighborhood.