Type: Paved, Loop
Difficulty: 2 / 10
Altitude: 10 ft
Dog Friendly: Yes, with leash
Jog-Stroller Friendly: Yes
Filed Under: Running
East Potomac Park is located in southwestern Washington DC on the banks of the Potomac River.
The park features many of Washington's famous cherry trees, a public golf course and a minature golf course. The park also has picnic grounds, tennis courts, a large swimming pool, and biking and hiking paths by the water.
On weekend afternoons in the late spring and summer, cars are not allowed to enter the loop road around the park. Many bicyclists and runners take advantage of the lack of car traffic for a scenic ride while taking in the atmosphere.
As with any good thing, the main downsides are due to it's popularity. Cherry blossom season takes a heavy toll on this section of the park, and traffic and tourism during these few weeks are beyond belief. The pace of the crowds are slow and leisurely but not at the same speed as skating. There are these annoying tourist trams that run around the peninsula. They are smelly and large.
On other nice days, all the parking spots are taken by those who are picnicking and otherwise partying. Luckily, for runners, parking and traffic need not deter them because the subway has many stops within a short distance of the park.
East Potomac Park is built on landfill between the Potomac River and the Washington Channel that connects to the Tidal Basin. The park features many of Washington's famous cherry trees, a public golf course and a minature golf course. On weekend afternoons in the late spring and summer, cars are not allowed to enter the loop road around the park. By that time on nice days all the parking spots are taken by those who are picnicing and otherwise partying. Many bicyclists take advantage of the lack of car traffic for a scenic ride while taking in the atmosphere.
The most dramatic feature of the park is a much larger than life five-piece sculpture called "The Awakening." It depicts a man seemingly arising from out of the ground as he stretches upon awakening. Tourists love to pose for pictures by climbing on the left hand or the head.
The loop (formerly, and probably again in the future) runs part of the course of the Marine Corps Marathon, with Buckeye Drive on the north end cutting across the island, and Ohio drive running the loop around to the south end and back. On carless afternoons, choose the path or the road. The path is slightly more pleasant unless there's flooding from high tides or weather.
Take 395 North across the 14th Street Bridge. DO NOT use or be in the HOV express lanes. (Going across 14th street bridge means not taking 14th street exit- you need to be in the right lane - don't let the 14th part confuse you.) After crossing the 14th Street Bridge, the road forks. The left two lanes lead to 14th Street and downtown. The right lanes continue as 1-395. After veering right, the first exit on the right is the POTOMAC PARK/PARK POLICE exit.
Take the POTOMAC PARK/PARK POLICE exit (first exit) just over the bridge and follow the signs toward Hains Point. This takes you past the Park Police Headquarters.
Take a LEFT at the dead-end onto Buckeye Drive (Golf course will be in front of you).
FROM MARYLAND:
Take 395 South.
Take the exit toward POTOMAC PARK/PARK POLICE.
Follow the signs toward Hains Point. This takes you past the Park Police Headquarters.
Take a LEFT at the dead-end onto Buckeye Drive (Golf course will be in front of you).
FROM D.C.
Get to Ohio Drive near the Lincoln Memorial.
Keep following Ohio Drive along the Potomac and cross underneath 395.
Take a LEFT at the dead-end onto Buckeye Drive (Golf course will be in front of you).
NOTE: THE GPS COORDINATES ARE FOR HAIN'S POINT ON THE SOUTH END OF THE ISLAND, NOT THE START POINT.
Posted by: tradkelly and last modified on Feb 02, 2006 by thoos
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