The Fight to Save Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens

This article, derived from an Atlas Obscura podcast episode, explores the unique status and preservation efforts surrounding the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington, D.C. Gina Geffrard, interim executive director of the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, shares her personal journey of discovering this hidden national park while filming for the television show House Hunters in 2019. Located along the Anacostia River, the gardens are described as a secret oasis featuring vast ponds filled with water lilies and lotuses, distinct from typical urban parks. As the only aquatic garden designated as a national park in the United States, it remains largely unknown to many residents and visitors. The narrative highlights the organization's role, alongside the National Park Service, in caring for this ecological treasure. Additionally, the piece touches upon the historical backstory involving a Civil War veteran and his daughter who fought federal authorities to protect the site. The text emphasizes the gardens' rarity and beauty, noting how even locals often miss this natural wonder amidst the cityscape, while also mentioning recent educational visits that reveal the site's impact on new audiences.