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- By Bsrat Mezghebe
- July 20, 2021
NCPC Staff Shout Out their Favorite Parks
July is Park and Recreation Month! To celebrate, we’ve asked our staff to share their favorite parks and where they found fresh air and refuge during the lockdown.
Karin Schierhold, Urban Planner
Constitution Gardens is my favorite! I love the curving path around the duck pond, the little island, the grassy slope, and the view of the Washington Monument. It also feels really separate from the Mall (and the rest of the city), and it has shade! And while I’m never really compelled to fight the crowds at the Lincoln or WWII, I appreciate the proximity.
Constitution Gardens is my favorite! I love the curving path around the duck pond, the little island, the grassy slope, and the view of the Washington Monument. It also feels really separate from the Mall (and the rest of the city), and it has shade! And while I’m never really compelled to fight the crowds at the Lincoln or WWII, I appreciate the proximity.
Jamie Herr, Urban Planner
Our small neighborhood park, Pleasant View Park in Montgomery County, is my favorite because it feels like an extension of our yard. My toddler loves to run through it, play hide and seek under the low canopy of the trees, and visit with the chickens at the adjacent Montessori school. We get to see all ages and skill levels of sports like soccer and lacrosse, and it’s the best place to fly a kite for those rare days with good temperatures and wind. It doesn’t have a lot of amenities, but it has everything we need.
Our small neighborhood park, Pleasant View Park in Montgomery County, is my favorite because it feels like an extension of our yard. My toddler loves to run through it, play hide and seek under the low canopy of the trees, and visit with the chickens at the adjacent Montessori school. We get to see all ages and skill levels of sports like soccer and lacrosse, and it’s the best place to fly a kite for those rare days with good temperatures and wind. It doesn’t have a lot of amenities, but it has everything we need.
Johanna McCrehan, Urban Planner
Rocky Mountain National Park is my favorite park. It’s where I grew up going for summer vacation, where I got married, and where I’m most looking forward to seeing again. I followed along during lockdown as it was faced with horrible wildfires and some crazy snow storms. I've also found solace in Rock Creek Park and have loved watching the seasons change, hanging out with the fireflies, and enjoying all the nature in our backyard!
Matthew Flis, Senior Urban Designer
My favorite national park is Big Bend National Park in Texas. It’s a huge desert park with amazing rock formations and canyons, and it encompasses part of the Rio Grande River. I also highly recommend Acadia National Park in Maine, which I visited twice during the pandemic!
My favorite national park is Big Bend National Park in Texas. It’s a huge desert park with amazing rock formations and canyons, and it encompasses part of the Rio Grande River. I also highly recommend Acadia National Park in Maine, which I visited twice during the pandemic!
Grace Kim, IT Specialist
My favorite local park is Burke Lake Park in Fairfax County. I have so many fond memories of it from my childhood and as an adult. It’s been our go-to park for family picnics and it’s also where I go to jog or walk to relieve some stress. We take our kids fishing at the lake and to the boat launch to see the ducks. We also enjoy the train rides and carousel during the summer and holiday season. My favorite national park is Shenandoah National Park. The views never get old, and that crisp fall air is so refreshing. I could use some of that air right now!
Angela Dupont, Senior Urban Planner
One of my favorite parks is Bartholdi Park, located across from the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and adjacent to the U.S. Capitol. I have fond memories visiting this beautiful little garden, as I made it part of my daily commute home when I lived in Capitol Hill. What I love most about this garden are the soothing sounds of the water from the Bartholdi Fountain, the views of the U.S. Capitol, and the fact that it was where my husband asked me to marry him!
One of my favorite parks is Bartholdi Park, located across from the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and adjacent to the U.S. Capitol. I have fond memories visiting this beautiful little garden, as I made it part of my daily commute home when I lived in Capitol Hill. What I love most about this garden are the soothing sounds of the water from the Bartholdi Fountain, the views of the U.S. Capitol, and the fact that it was where my husband asked me to marry him!
