Bradbury Recreation Center

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Dupont Heights Park Bradbury Heights Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The Bradbury Recreation Center is a vibrant community center located in the state of District of Columbia that offers a range of activities and facilities for visitors of all ages.

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Summary

The center is known for its state-of-the-art fitness center, Olympic-sized swimming pool, and indoor basketball court.

One of the top reasons to visit Bradbury Recreation Center is to enjoy its diverse range of programs and activities. Whether you're interested in fitness classes, swimming lessons, or sports programs, there is something for everyone at the center. The facility also offers meeting rooms and event spaces, making it a great place to host parties or community events.

Some specific points of interest to see at Bradbury Recreation Center include the outdoor basketball court, which hosts local pickup games throughout the year, and the fitness center, which features high-tech equipment and personal training services. The center also has a dedicated children's area with games and activities for kids of all ages.

Interesting facts about the area include that the Bradbury Recreation Center was established in 1978 and has since become a beloved community hub for residents of all ages. The center is named after John Bradbury, a former District of Columbia Parks and Recreation Director who was instrumental in the development of the city's recreational facilities.

The best time of year to visit Bradbury Recreation Center depends on your interests. For outdoor activities like swimming and basketball, summer is the ideal time to visit. However, the center offers programs and activities year-round, so there is no bad time to check it out.

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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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