Right in the heart of Washington, D.C., is one of the oldest and largest of the country’s urban national parks. Rock Creek Park, established by an Act of Congress in 1890, is made up of 2,100 acres of National Park land that stretches from Northwest D.C., into Maryland. It’s twice the size of New York’s Central Park and as old as Yosemite National Park. In this opportunity, attend an evening program with book signing and an all-day bus tour days later to better appreciate this local treasure.
If you are not interested in this combo, the evening program and the all-day bus tour can be purchased separately.
Sept. 27 Evening Program
Local natural historian Melanie Choukas-Bradley talks about the park’s history and shares her impressions of its natural wonders, drawing on her book, A Year in Rock Creek Park – the Wild, Wooded Heart of Washington DC. The presentation, a virtual journey through the magnificent stream valley, focusing on the native plants of the Rock Creek Park flood plain, forests, and upland woods. She also talks about what needs to be done to ensure the survival of this remarkable wild space for generations to come.
Choukas-Bradley leads field trips and tree tours for the Audubon Naturalist Society, the Nature Conservancy, the Rock Creek Conservancy, the US Botanic Garden, the Maryland and Virginia Native Plant societies, and other organizations in and around the city.
A Year in Rock Creek Park is available for signing.
Oct. 7 All-Day Bus Tour (RESCHEDULED)
Local natural historian Melanie Choukas-Bradley leads a tour of the wondrous sights, both manmade and natural, in the park. Local experts and historians join the tour along the way to provide historical context and comment on some of the park’s natural highlights.
The tour includes walks through diverse terrain. Trails can be muddy, please wear appropriate ‘off-roading’ shoes and layers of comfortable clothing. Bring binoculars if you wish.
9:45 a.m. Thompson’s Boat House
It sits where Rock Creek meets the Potomac River, at mile marker 0 on the C&O canal.
10:15 a.m. Peirce Mill
Meet local historian Steve Dryden, who interprets this 19th-century mill, the remains of the historic orchard, and the fish ladder installed for spawning shad.
11:15 a.m. Blagden Mill and Pulpit Rock
After crossing the aptly named Boulder Bridge, see Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite spot for his “scrambles” and notorious Rock Creek skinny dips.
11:45 a.m. Rapids Bridge Nature Walk
Flood plain trees and plants, and the lovely Rapids Bridge footbridge.
12:15 p.m. Glover Road Tree Walk on Western Ridge Trail
Flood plain vegetation gives way completely to upland woods—including a magnificent historic black walnut—within a distance of only a few yards.
12:45 p.m. Boxed Lunch at Rock Creek Park Nature Center
Box turtles, foxes, and of course, deer, make their home in the park. Learn about the abundant wildlife in Rock Creek from Park Service naturalists.
1:45 p.m. Milk House Ford and Joaquin Miller Cabin
Native Washingtonians may remember driving right across Rock Creek at Milk House Ford, where the water was only a few inches deep.
Eccentric poet Joaquin Miller (1837-1913) originally built this cabin in Meridian Hill Park, but it was moved to Rock Creek Park in the early 1900s. Miller and his cabin were a tourist attraction for years.
2:30 p.m. Boundary Bridge
On the border between D.C. and Maryland, Boundary Bridge was constructed by the Public Works Administration in the 1930s. The bridge leads to a footpath bordered by towering Sycamores, and abundant wildflowers.
Please note: The bus leaves in front of the S. Dillon Ripley Center and will return to this location at the tour’s end.
Image above: (Photo: Susan A. Roth)
