804.1 Most large cities in the United States have adopted classification systems to guide the management of their parks and open spaces. In fact, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) defines park classification as the basic element of the planning function. Classification provides a basis for deciding which activities and facilities are appropriate within each park. It also provides a means of analyzing where service gaps exist and where acquisitions and capital improvements may be required.

804.2 Until 2006, the District’s parks were loosely classified as large parks, neighborhood parks, recreation center grounds, and triangles. These categories are not consistent with national standards, making it difficult to evaluate the adequacy of parks or to compare the District with peer cities.

804.3 The 2006 Parks Master Plan recommended a new classification system to improve customer service and park management. Under this system, DPR would develop a park classification system with clear definitions of each classification based on a review of industry standards and best practices. This would allow the agency to develop more specific level of service standards based on each classification.

804.4 Figure 8.2 summarizes a sample park classification system. Map 8.1 shows the location of District-owned parks. The small open spaces are not shown due to the map scale and their small size.

804.5 Figure 8.1: DPR-Managed Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Amenities

830 acres of green space
375 parks
200 outdoor basketball courts
160 tennis courts
119 athletic and ball fields
94 playgrounds
76 recreation centers
35 gyms
34 community gardens
31 aquatic pools
25 spray parks

23 fitness centers
13 dog parks
7 wellness centers
7 boxing rings
5 urban farms
1 outdoor amphitheater
1 skate park

Source: DPR, 2017

804.6 Figure 8.2: Sample Park Classification System

Park Type	Description	Typical Uses	Service Area*
Small Park	Pocket parks or triangles. Range from landscaped “islands” to places for socializing, playing chess, etc.	Benches, seating areas, public art, landscaping	¼-mile radius
Neighborhood	Provide informal, centrally located setting for neighborhood-based recreational amenities, possibly including recreation centers	Playgrounds, tot lots, basketball courts, open lawn areas for unstructured play, seating and picnic areas, community gardens, and interpretive or educational exhibits	½-mile radius
Community	Larger parks with more structured recreational opportunities, including recreation center buildings with a range of DPR programs	Active play-oriented outdoor facilities, such as ball fields, athletic courts, playgrounds, indoor and outdoor swim facilities, natural amenities such as trails, natural areas, and picnic grounds	One- to two-mile radius, with connections to bike and pedestrian trail networks
Regional	Large multiuse parks that draw users District-wide or from beyond adjacent neighborhoods	Very large areas of open space, recreation centers, lighted athletic fields, group picnic areas, hiking, multiple activity areas	District-wide
Natural Resource Areas	Parks established to conserve open space and sensitive natural resources or heritage assets. If adjoined by open, level areas, then recreational	Low-impact, passive activities, such as hiking and environmental education	N/A—not demand driven

	fields and play areas may be appropriate.
Sports Complexes	Programmed athletic fields and multiuse indoor complexes, custom designed for specific programmed uses	Track and field, natatorium, softball, soccer, tennis, basketball, volleyball, racquetball, football, boxing, martial arts	District-wide
Special Use	Parks dedicated to a single use, such as a zoo or amphitheater. Accommodate highly organized activities and provide economic as well as social and physical benefits. May have highly specialized management requirements.	Golf courses, aquatic or spray parks, sculpture parks, dog parks, arboretums, historic homes, amphitheaters, skate parks, climbing centers, therapeutic facilities	District-wide
School Parks	Public land on school property, developed with playgrounds and open fields, designed for student activities but also available for community use	Running tracks, playgrounds, athletic fields, basketball courts	½-mile to two-mile radius
Trails and Bikeways	Hard or soft paved paths providing linkages within or between parks, facilitating access and exploration	Paved or dirt trails, boardwalks, promenades	½ to ¼ mile to access point

Some parks are nationally significant and serve an area larger than Washington, DC.

804.7

Map 8.1: Location of District Parks

Source: DC Office of Planning, 2021

804.8 An important consideration in classifying Washington, DC's parks is the role that federal lands play in the overall park system (noted in Policy PROS 1.1.2). In many parts of the District, federal land plays a crucial role in meeting park, recreation, and open space needs. Some of Washington, DC's parks are part of a contiguous system of parks and open spaces, with different areas under different ownership and management. Such systems need to be cohesively planned and managed, and not treated as individual isolated neighborhood or community parks.

804.9 Policy PROS-1.1.1: Park Classification Adopt and maintain a classification system to guide the future use of District parks. Figure 8.2 provides the framework for this system. Follow general management prescriptions for each type of park, as defined by the official Parks Master Plan.

804.10 Policy PROS-1.1.2: Consideration of Federal Parkland Work with federal agencies to evaluate the role that federal lands play in meeting the recreational needs of District residents, particularly for regional parks and sports complexes. Because these properties are used by residents, they should be considered when identifying underserved areas and assessing the need for local park improvements.

804.11 Policy PROS-1.1.3: Park Diversity Provide a diverse range of recreational experiences in parks within Washington, DC, including a balance between passive and active recreational uses, and a mix of local-serving, region-serving, and national recreational uses.

804.12 Action PROS-1.1.A: Park Classification Complete the classification of each of the District's 375 properties using Figure 8.1. Identify suggested (advisory only) classifications for federal parks as part of this process.

804.13 Action PROS-1.1.B: Parks Master Plan Implement the Parks Master Plan for the District of Columbia Parks System. Update the plan at least once every five years or as needed to reflect changing conditions and needs. Use the Parks Master Plan as the basis for the annual Capital Improvement Program request for park and recreational facilities.

804.14 Action PROS-1.1.C: Master Plans for Individual Parks Prepare master plans for large individual parks (such as regional parks) prior to major capital improvements as funding allows and use these plans to guide capital improvement and implementation processes.

804.15 Action PROS-1.1.D: Quality of Existing Park Spaces Develop an enhanced maintenance and improvement schedule to upgrade the quality of passive and active parklands and outdoor facilities, to make the most of existing District parks.

804.15a Text Box: New Parkland A 2014 DPR study estimated that 180 acres of new parkland will be needed to meet demands associated with increased population over the next 15-20 years.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).