Dumbarton Oaks Park is a 27-acre landscaped park under the National Park Service (NPS) that was formerly part of the Dumbarton Oaks estate in Georgetown. The estate is a milestone in the history of American landscape architecture and a landmark in our social history, as it represents the finest work of Beatrix Farrand, America’s first professional female landscape architect. As a “naturalistic,” but intensely designed landscape of meadows, woodlands, bulbs and wildflowers, paths and ponds, and constructed waterfalls, Dumbarton Oaks Park offers recreation as well as restorative quiet, beauty, and inspiration for Washington, DC residents and visitors from beyond.
Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy, in partnership with the NPS, now seeks to bring this historic landscape back to its aesthetic splendor while also enhancing its modern-day utility to the national capital community.
During this volunteer opportunity, participants will be helping to maintain the park, including landscaping activities.
Date & Time: Saturday, September 21st (9am-1pm)
Meeting Location: Lovers’ Lane – approximately 200 feet east of R Street and 31st Street NW; it’s signposted by a green-on-white wooden plaque reading, “Dumbarton Oaks Park, Open Dawn to Dusk.”
Bring: We recommend wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, socks, and closed-toe shoes for protection, and bringing a water bottle.
We Supply: gloves, tools, training, snacks, and supplementary water.
Forms: DOPC Volunteer Waiver and NPS Individual Volunteer Form. Please fill out/sign, digitally or print & scan, and reply to your confirmation email with the documents attached prior to the volunteer event. Each volunteer needs to fill out both forms in advance.
Cancellation Policy: Events will be canceled either in advance or curtailed during the event for inclement weather or conditions which create safety hazards. Notices will be emailed and posted to Facebook by 7:00 am.
For a bit of background, this short film highlights the historic significance of this beautiful urban woodland garden and the restoration efforts spearheaded by the Conservancy. Here too is one of our core documents: Restoring an American Treasure. Please enjoy!
Thank you to Dumbarton Oaks Conservancy, Spur Local, and City Girls Who Walk DC for partnering on this event!