Yards Park

Yards Park is the DC neighborhood park that families who live in the Navy Yard swear by, and visiting families are increasingly discovering it as one of the best free summer activities in the city. Located along the Anacostia River in the rapidly developing Capitol Riverfront neighborhood, this modern waterfront park manages to feel both architecturally striking and genuinely playful.

The canal basin is the star feature. This shallow, flowing water channel runs through terraced stone steps, creating a wading area where kids can splash in ankle-to-knee-deep clean water. It is not a traditional splash pad with jets — it is more like a miniature river system with gentle currents flowing between wide stone ledges.

Kids sit on the steps, splash in the channels, and create dams with their hands. The water is recirculated and treated, and the depth is consistently shallow enough for toddlers with parental supervision. The canal operates from late May through September.

The playground at the east end of the park has modern equipment that goes beyond the standard swings and slides. Spinning platforms, climbing structures with unusual geometries, and balance elements give kids different challenges than their neighborhood playground. The surfacing is rubber and the equipment is well-maintained.

The sculptural pedestrian bridge that arches over the canal is both an art installation and a kid magnet. The curved walkway rises high enough over the canal to create a sense of adventure, and kids love running up and over it. From the top, the views of the Anacostia River and the developing Capitol Riverfront skyline are surprisingly beautiful.

Friday evenings in summer bring the Capitol Riverfront Outdoor Concert Series to Yards Park. These free concerts are family-friendly, typically starting around 6 PM, with genres ranging from soul and jazz to rock and go-go. Families spread blankets on the terraced lawn, break out picnic supplies, and enjoy live music with the river as a backdrop.

It is an experience that feels like a much bigger deal than a free neighborhood concert.

The Navy Yard boardwalk extends from Yards Park along the Anacostia River toward Nationals Park, creating a scenic walking route that families with baseball tickets use as a pre-game warmup. The neighborhood has also developed into one of DC's best dining areas — The Salt Line for seafood, Ice Cream Jubilee for artisan ice cream, and several other family-friendly restaurants are within a 5-minute walk.

Yards Park is accessible via the Navy Yard-Ballpark Metro station (Green Line), a 5-minute walk. Street parking is available but limited on event days. For families staying in downtown DC, this park provides a break from the monument-heavy itinerary and a chance to see a side of the city that most tourists never encounter.