National Park Service Battles Graffiti at Fort Hunt Park

Graffiti Before and After at Fort Hunt Park

On left you will see what the fort batteries looked like before National Park Service crews cleaned and after on the right.

 

You can join in the fight against the vandalism by reporting graffiti and suspicious activity to the U.S. Park Police at [phone] or [e-mail]

National Park Service rangers, preservation specialists and maintenance crews worked in April 2026 to clean up and remove graffiti at Fort Hunt Park. For years, the historic 19th-century concrete batteries at the park have been the target of vandalism. To restore the beauty and historic character of the park, National Park Service crews from around the country used low-pressure washing, hand scrubbing, non-acidic cleaning agents and repeated rinsing to lift paint from the porous surfaces without stripping original material.

Thanks to the hard work of National Park Service professionals, Fort Hunt Park is once again looking its best. The cleanup effort helps ensure the park remains a clean and welcoming place for the thousands of people who visit and use the park each year. Continued stewardship and public support in preventing vandalism will help preserve the park’s historic character and appearance for future visitors.

The United States Park Police is seeking the public’s help to identify suspects and gather information related to graffiti at Fort Hunt. To report suspicious or criminal activity, please call [phone] or write to [e-mail] and provide as much detail as possible. If you see vandalism, say something and help stop it.

Once part of George Washington's Mount Vernon estate, Fort Hunt Park has undergone several transformations. It went from farmland to a coastal defense site established after an 1885 federal review found the nation unprepared for naval attack. Between 1898 and 1904, multiple artillery batteries were constructed to defend the Potomac River and the nation’s capital, though they were never used in combat. The site later served as a Civilian Conservation Corps camp during the Great Depression and a top-secret World War II intelligence and training center.

Located along the George Washington Memorial Parkway, today Fort Hunt Park is a popular destination for picnicking, recreation, and community events. The recent cleanup effort ensures that visitors can continue to enjoy the park in a setting that reflects its historical significance and natural beauty.

 

 

 

Left image
Credit: NPS/Daniel Blier

Right image
Credit: NPS/Daniel Blier

 

Learn more

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  U.S. Park Police

  The United States Park Police functions as a unit of the National Park Service with jurisdiction in all Federal parks.

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  Learn About the Park

  Learn About the Park

  Learn more about things to do at Fort Hunt Park, hours and seasons, directions, facilities, and rules and regulations

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  History and Culture

  Fort Hunt - History and Culture