Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

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Pink lotus flower blooms in a pond.
Lotus flowers bloom in many ponds during the hot humid summer months.Photo: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez

Deep within Kenilworth lies an oasis, hidden behind trees and cattails. It's a place where beavers build their homes and turtles sleep on logs. Lotus blooms rise from the muck and lilies sit on the water. The wind dances with the dragonflies, rustling through the trees, carrying the song of the birds until it brushes across your face, fading to a whisper, saying "come join."

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News

  • Red, white and blue lotuses in water
    Step Into a World of Lotus, Lilies, and Culture at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens July 18 and 19

    On July 18 and 19, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens will transform into an enchanted escape. For this one summer weekend, music, dance, art and family activities will carry visitors through a landscape inspired by Asian gardens and the living wetlands of the Anacostia River, where water lilies float like lanterns across quiet ponds and towering lotus blossoms rise in shades of pink, cream and green. The National Park Service invites visitors of all ages to attend the free Lotus and Water Lily Festival on Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20019.

Photos

Aquatic ponds during the fall with trees displaying orange and yellow colors.
As the seasons change, so do the colors around the ponds which can be seen as reflections on the water.Photo: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez.
Turtles basking in the sun.
As the temperatures warm up during spring and summer months many reptiles including turtles can be seen basking in the sun on logs, tree stumps or the banks of the ponds.Photo: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez.
A woman taking a photo of lotus flowers
The summer blooms in and around the ponds attract many photographers and artist from around the world.Photo: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez
Great Blue Heron in flight over the ponds during the fall.
The wetlands and marsh habitat many shore birds and they can be seen wading in and around the ponds for food.Photo: NPS Photo/Miguel A. Marquez

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.