The green line indicates where the fence will run through the park
As part of the Virginia Avenue Project, CSX will have to close off a large portion of the Virginia Avenue Park while they relocate utilities and expand the train tunnel that runs underneath Virginia Avenue.
The community garden was spared, but the large fenced in area that has been used by local dog owners will remain closed for the duration of the tunnel project. While this has never been an official dog park, the city has looked the other way, which has been quite welcome to dog owners looking for a large space to let their dogs run off-leash. Capital Canines did get an application approved to have this park turned into an official dog park, but progress seemed to have stalled, and will certainly remain that way until the CSX construction is complete.
In a recent email to the community, CSX stated:
Access to the portion of the park being fenced will be restricted through the duration of the tunnel project. CSX apologizes for any inconveniences that these restrictions may create. Access will be restored and enhancements will be made to the park at the completion of the tunnel-construction project.
The community garden and the area adjacent to it at the corner of 9th St. and Potomac Avenue, S.E. will continue to be accessible to neighbors throughout the duration of the project.
Alternative recreation areas in the neighborhood include Garfield Park, at Virginia Avenue and 3rd Streets, S.E.; Washington Canal Park, along 2nd Street between M and I Streets, S.E.; the baseball diamond at 11th and I Streets, S.E.; Yards Park, at 4th and Water Streets, S.E.; and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail.
CSX indicated at one time that it would put in a dog park after their construction is done, but there is no timeline, that I know of. And construction on it is unlikely to start until their project is complete– several years from now.
Want to talk to CSX about the project? On Wednesday, May 20, CSX is holding “Coffee with Chuck,” from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at the Courtyard Marriott Hotel, 140 L Street, S.E. Chuck Gullakson, CSX assistant vice president – National Gateway and chief project engineer for the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project, will be there for an informal meet and greet, followed by an update on the status of the project, upcoming construction activity and other items of interest. Please click here to RSVP by Monday, May 18.
The only other official dog park on the southeast side of the Capitol Hill neighborhood is on the west side of Yards Park, and is quite small. There is another official dog park at M St. & Delaware Ave., SW that is a legal off-leash option, but is a bit of a walk for anyone living east of the Virginia Avenue Park. And, of course, there is the Kingsman Dog Park at D St. & Tennessee Ave., NE. Again, a long walk depending on where you live in SE, but it’s there for you. Other official dog parks can be found on the DC Parks and Recreation website.
Please keep in mind the following rules, set by the District, for area dog parks:
- Public dog parks are open to all residents and visitors of the District of Columbia. DPR will not charge fees for use of dog parks.
- Dog parks located on the grounds of a DPR facility will be open the same hours as the facility.
- Dog parks located on non-lighted grounds or parks will be open from dawn to dusk.
- All dogs using a dog park must be licensed and registered in the District of Columbia. All dogs are required by law to be vaccinated and registered.
- All dogs must display a Dog Park Registration Tag*, and other tags as required by law.
- A maximum of 30 dogs per 10,000 square feet may be in a park at one time. Please refer to signage at each dog park for specifics at that location.
For more information about the Virginia Avenue Tunnel Project, visit www.