From 1815 to the 1850s, the historic Washington City Canal connected the Anacostia River and the Potomac via the National Mall. In the early 1900’s, the Washington Canal was paved over to create Canal Street.

Ownership of Canal Street was transferred to the District of Columbia and utilized for several interim purposes, including a parking lot for DC Public School buses. In 2000, DC developer WC Smith formed the nonprofit organization Canal Park Development Association (CPDA) to secure the site and oversee development of the park.

WC Smith, along with the Anacostia Waterfront Corporation (AWC) and the District’s Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) commissioned a design competition that shaped several initial elements of the park. A groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the park was held in 2010.

Canal Park’s design evokes the history of the area with a linear rain garden reminiscent of the Washington Canal and three pavilions which recall floating barges that were once common in the canal.

During the winter, the southern block becomes an outdoor skating rink. During the summer, that same block features a 42 jet dancing fountain. Bubbling rain gardens and water scrims in the other blocks call out to the site’s historic canal heritage.