Oxon Run Park facts for kids

Oxon Run Park is a fun place to visit in Southeast Washington, D.C.. It has lots of cool things to do, like sports fields, walking trails, and playgrounds. You can even find the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center here! This park was created in 1971. It used to be part of a bigger area called the Oxon Run Parkway.

Where is Oxon Run Park?

Oxon Run Park is in the very southern part of Washington, DC. It stretches along a stream called Oxon Run. The park is located between the Washington Highlands neighborhood on one side and Congress Heights and Bellevue on the other.

The park is entirely within the southeast part of the city. It is surrounded by streets like 13th Street, Valley Avenue, and South Capitol Street. There's also a part of the park near the old Mildred Green School. This area has hills and is undeveloped.

The Park's Story

How Oxon Run Park Was Created

Oxon Run Park was officially created in 1971. Before that, the land was part of a federal park system. The National Capitol Planning Commission (NCPC) gave about 300 acres of land to the local government. This was part of a bigger plan to transfer many parks to the city.

For a long time, the federal government kept control of these parks. They worried that if the city ran them, they might become segregated. But as segregation ended, this concern faded. City planners believed that a local agency would better understand what people in the community needed for recreation. They also hoped it would help create a special parks department for Washington, D.C.

From Parkway to Park

The land that became Oxon Run Park was originally part of the Oxon Run Parkway. This Parkway started in 1924. Congress created the NCPPC to plan parks and playgrounds for the capital city. In the 1930s, the NCPPC began buying land along the stream.

After a big flood in 1937, they bought even more land. This was to make the Parkway wider and prevent homes from being built in flood-prone areas. The Parkway grew throughout the 1930s and 1940s. By 1944, it covered almost the entire District. The part of the Parkway that became Oxon Run Park was transferred to the city in 1971.

Early Recreation and Improvements

Even before the park was officially created, a small piece of land was used for recreation. In 1942, the city took control of this plot. They built a playground there. Later, in 1948, a new school called Simon Elementary was built on part of this recreation land. In 1967, a swimming pool was added to the recreation center. Vice President Hubert Humphrey even helped celebrate its opening!

Plans to make the park even better started in 1975. This was part of a big project to control erosion and flooding. In 1979, a master plan for the park was created. The city received a grant to help pay for improvements. Work began in 1984.

Over the next year, many new things were built in the park. These included miles of jogging and bike trails, picnic areas, and sports fields. An amphitheater, basketball courts, tennis courts, and a nature trail were also added.

In 2000, the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center opened in the park. This center was a big project supported by Mayor Marion Barry. It is located right next to Hart Junior High School.

Recent Changes

From 1995 to 2001, a part of the park near the Mildred Green Elementary School was used for construction. This was for the Metro's Green Line subway tunnels. A vent shaft for the subway was built on a small section of the park.

In 2002, a special event called Make a Difference Day took place at the park. About 300 volunteers from the White House joined in. They worked with Secretary of Commerce Donald Evans and Miss America Erika Harold. Together, they built a large playground in the park.

Oxon Run Trails

A very important part of Oxon Run Park is its trail system. The Oxon Run trails are 3.4 miles long. They run along both sides of the Oxon Run stream. You can find them from South Capitol Street SE to 13th Street SE.

Trail Planning and Development

The idea for trails along Oxon Run goes back to 1965. This was when a plan for a city-wide trail system was being developed. The plan included 20 trails, with one along Oxon Run. The National Park Service even asked for money to build 3 miles of trail in 1968.

The trails became part of local plans in 1975. DC officials wanted to improve the park and control flooding. Although the plan was ready by 1979, and federal money was set aside in 1980, construction took many years to start. This was because of local funding issues.

Work on the trails finally began in 1984 and finished in 1985. This first phase included 2.5 miles of trail. Five pedestrian bridges were also built over the stream.

Modern Trail Improvements

In 2010, the District of Columbia made plans to update and expand the trails. Construction to rebuild the trails started in 2016. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the improved trails happened in 2018.

The project added almost a mile of new trail. It also created a new crossing over Oxon Run near the South Capitol Street Bridge. The trails were made wider and straighter. They now run on both sides of the stream throughout the entire park. Street crossings were improved, and changes were made to help people with disabilities. New signs were added to help people find their way. The trail was also extended to the Maryland border. The goal is for it to connect to the Oxon Creek Trails in the future.

Park Facilities

Besides the great trails, Oxon Run Park has many other cool things to do. You can find:

• Baseball fields
• Basketball courts
• An amphitheater for performances
• Playgrounds for kids
• Picnic pavilions for gatherings
• The Southeast Tennis and Learning Center
• The Oxon Run Pool