Lincoln Park is a green neighborhood park on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, with open lawns, trees and two notable statues. Come for a picnic, a walk or a run, and look for the figures of Abraham Lincoln and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune. The park also has playgrounds, courts and a baseball field, with space for children to play and dogs to meet. It is a useful stop near Eastern Market if you want time outdoors alongside a look at an important local landmark.
A park with a history
Lincoln Park is the largest of the Capitol Hill Parks. The site served as Lincoln Hospital during the Civil War. It became a park in 1869 and was named Lincoln Square in honor of Abraham Lincoln, who had been assassinated a few years earlier. The park is home to an early monument to Lincoln, known as the Emancipation Monument.
Two statues to look for
The park’s two prominent statues face one another. One depicts Lincoln with a Black man and represents the Emancipation Proclamation. The other honors Mary McLeod Bethune, a civil rights activist. Its sculpted cane represents a gift from Eleanor Roosevelt, whom Bethune advised and befriended.
The monuments connect the park to the histories of emancipation and the Civil Rights movement. Take a moment to look at both before continuing around the grounds.
Space for a break or play
Lincoln Park has open green space for picnics, walking and jogging, along with playgrounds and sports facilities. Children can use the designated play areas, while the lawns provide room to sit beneath the trees. Dogs are allowed, and the park is also used as a neighborhood gathering place.
Häufige Fragen
What statues are in Lincoln Park?
The park has statues of Abraham Lincoln and Mary McLeod Bethune. The Lincoln statue represents the Emancipation Proclamation, and Bethune’s sculpted cane represents a gift from Eleanor Roosevelt.
What can you do at Lincoln Park?
You can walk, jog or picnic, visit the statues, or use the playgrounds and sports facilities. Dogs are allowed.
Is Lincoln Park suitable for children?
Yes. The park has playgrounds and open space for children to play.
