Last updated: June 8, 2023
Place
Information Panel: From Seaport to National Park
NPS / Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Amenities
2 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Wheelchair Accessible
During America's early days, the Georgetown waterfront thrived as a port lined with wharves and seagoing vessels. It later became an industrial site. Now it is a national park. How does an old port and industrial site become a national park?
In the 1960s, the Georgetown waterfront was condemned for an interstate highway, which was never built. Planning began then to convert the waterfront into a park.
Progress slowed until, in 1985, the District of Columbia transferred the waterfront land to the National Park Service (NPS). Ten more years passed. Then, in the late 1990s, a surge in interest brought a partnership that would highlight the Potomac's signature sport: rowing. The Georgetown Waterfront Park Commission, a volunteer organization, galvanized local residents, the rowing community, regional leaders, and the NPS in an effort which would bring the park to fruition.
A green column lines the right third of the sign, and on top is a photograph of ten people standing in a field flanked by uniformed park rangers on either end. A post holds up a line in front of them and the man in the center is cutting the ribbon. Text above reads: Dignitaries cut the ribbon to dedicate the park in 2008.
Just below in an oval picture is a smiling man in suit and tie with white hair. Text beside him reads: Senator Charles H. Percy. Text beneath him reads: Senator Charles H. Percy was pivotal in the creation of the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Senator Percy - a Georgetown resident, lover of the waterfront, and supporter of local high school rowing - chaired the Georgetown Waterfront Park Commission that was instrumental in the park's creation.
The Commission and its successor organization, the Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park, helped redesign plans and raise funds to build the park. With the generous support of the Friends of the District of Columbia, coupled with an NPS Centennial Initiative grant and the tireless dedication of citizens and public officials, the Georgetown Waterfront Park is now a national park for all to enjoy.
In the bottom right corner of the sign is a black and white photograph set at an angle. It shows an industrial riverfront, with a raised highway running a block off the river's edge, a large industrial building set to the left, a set of buildings with smokestacks towards the center, and smoke billowing from a set of buildings on the left along the river.
In the 1960s, the Georgetown waterfront was condemned for an interstate highway, which was never built. Planning began then to convert the waterfront into a park.
Progress slowed until, in 1985, the District of Columbia transferred the waterfront land to the National Park Service (NPS). Ten more years passed. Then, in the late 1990s, a surge in interest brought a partnership that would highlight the Potomac's signature sport: rowing. The Georgetown Waterfront Park Commission, a volunteer organization, galvanized local residents, the rowing community, regional leaders, and the NPS in an effort which would bring the park to fruition.
A green column lines the right third of the sign, and on top is a photograph of ten people standing in a field flanked by uniformed park rangers on either end. A post holds up a line in front of them and the man in the center is cutting the ribbon. Text above reads: Dignitaries cut the ribbon to dedicate the park in 2008.
Just below in an oval picture is a smiling man in suit and tie with white hair. Text beside him reads: Senator Charles H. Percy. Text beneath him reads: Senator Charles H. Percy was pivotal in the creation of the Georgetown Waterfront Park. Senator Percy - a Georgetown resident, lover of the waterfront, and supporter of local high school rowing - chaired the Georgetown Waterfront Park Commission that was instrumental in the park's creation.
The Commission and its successor organization, the Friends of Georgetown Waterfront Park, helped redesign plans and raise funds to build the park. With the generous support of the Friends of the District of Columbia, coupled with an NPS Centennial Initiative grant and the tireless dedication of citizens and public officials, the Georgetown Waterfront Park is now a national park for all to enjoy.
In the bottom right corner of the sign is a black and white photograph set at an angle. It shows an industrial riverfront, with a raised highway running a block off the river's edge, a large industrial building set to the left, a set of buildings with smokestacks towards the center, and smoke billowing from a set of buildings on the left along the river.