Ayrlawn Park

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Hillmead Park Greenwick Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Ayrlawn Park is a public park located in Bethesda, Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C.

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Summary

The park offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors of all ages, including playgrounds, tennis courts, and picnic areas. One of the main attractions of the park is its expansive green space, which is perfect for sports, games, and relaxation. Another highlight of Ayrlawn Park is its well-maintained nature trail that winds through the woods and provides a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.

One of the most interesting facts about Ayrlawn Park is that it was once the site of a historic farmhouse, which still stands today and serves as a reminder of the area's rich agricultural past. Visitors to the park can also enjoy a variety of seasonal events and festivals throughout the year, such as the annual Fourth of July celebration and the popular Fall Fest.

The best time of year to visit Ayrlawn Park is during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and pleasant. However, the park is open year-round and is also a popular destination for winter sports like sledding and ice skating. Overall, Ayrlawn Park is a great place to spend a day with family and friends and enjoy the natural beauty of the D.C. area.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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