Blind / Low Vision

We do not have braille or large print publications. There are no videos or audio presentations in the Visitor Center. If you are in need of assistance or have questions about the park, please call the park office at 202-692-6080.

Parking

2 standard accessible spaces
2 van-accessible spaces

The access aisle connects to the Garden Trail, leading to the main areas of the park and the visitor center.

1 entrance way picture — The beginning of the Garden Trail.
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Garden Trail

The visitor center and the rest of the park is reached by way of the Garden Trail. The Garden Trail winds along the edges of the marsh giving a beautiful and up close view of some of the wildlife that can be found in the protected areas of the park. Some areas closer to the edges of the marsh may become less accessible after heavy rain or flooding. There is no railing to designate the edge of the water.

Trail Information

Length: less than 500 feet
Average width: 5 feet
Minimum width: 4.5 feet
Surface: compacted gravel
Average running slope: 5%
Maximum running slope: 10%
The trailhead is connected to the parking lot via a 42'' wide curb ramp directly in front of the accessible aisle.

Trash and recycling are about fifteen feet past the trail entrance.

1 visitors center picture — visitor's center
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Visitor Center

Entrance

There is a ramp leading to the entrance of the Visitor Center. The rap is:

Length: 13 feet
Width: 5.6 feet
Slope: 5%

The entrance to the visitor center is 30 inches wide.There are two sets of stairs at the front of the Visitor Center. Each set of stairs has a small 2 foot by 3 foot landing, and then three steps up to the deck.

Benches

There are 2 benches at the top of the ramp. There is also seating inside of the Visitor Center.The Visitor's Center can be reached via a wheelchair-accessible ramp leading up to the Visitor's Center complex.

Information Desk and Bookstore

To reach the information desk, take a left after entering the visitor center, walk straight for about 5 feet and then turn right through a doorway. The information desk is to the left in the bookstore. The bookstore sells items about the local wildlife and the history of the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.

tactile exhibit picture — Touch table with pelts and plants.
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Tactile Exhibits

Visit our touch table, featuring a rotating exhibit of furs, dried lotus pods, feathers, animal skulls, and other natural finds from our park! Please use the provided hand sanitizer before and after interacting with the touch table collection.

1 rest room picture — restrooms at the visitor's center
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Restrooms

Located next to the Visitor Center. There is a ramp leading to the restroom entrances.

Mens

Directly left of the drinking fountain
2 standing-height urinals
1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
1 lower height sink

Womens

Located to the left of the men's room
2 standard stalls
1 larger stall intended for wheelchair users
1 standard height sink
1 lower height sink

1 water fountain picture — Drinking fountain
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Drinking Fountain

Between the restrooms and the Visitor Center, there is a drinking fountain, water bottle filling station, and a pet bowl.

Picnic Area

Located next to the Visitor Center.

30 standard picnic tables spread out in the grass
no grills available
ground may be uneven

Please be cautious when navigating through the picnic tables though as they are not arranged in any particular order.

1 paths picture — bench facing the ponds
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Benches and seating

Benches and picnic tables can be found throughout the park.

1 waysides picture — wayside at Kenilworth
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Self-Guided Tour

This tour has thirteen stops. The stops include historic pictures, facts about the park, information about native wildlife and conservation efforts.

Visitors are welcome to bring binoculars and cameras to use during their visit but are not allowed to take or touch any of the natural resources including lotus seed pods, turtles, plants, fish etc.

Maps for this tour are available in the visitor center. A visit to the park typically lasts two hours. Visitors are encouraged to explore the park on their own. The main areas are:

The Garden Trail
The Ponds trail system through Lily and Lotus Ponds
The boardwalk winding through the tidal marsh
viewing ponds behind the visitor center and picnic area

The trails are wide and mostly level. This area is vulnerable to flooding.

1 parth near entrance picture — Garden Trail
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Garden Trail

The Garden Trail winds along the edges of the marsh giving a beautiful and up close view of some of the wildlife that can be found in the protected areas of the park. Some areas closer to the edges of the marsh may become less accessible after heavy rain or flooding. There is no railing to designate the edge of the water and there is no barrier around the ponds.