Rawlins Park

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Parks

District-Of-Columbia

Nearby: Edward J. Kelly Park Edward R Murrow Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Rawlins Park is a small urban park located in the heart of Washington D.C.

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Summary

It is situated between 18th and 19th Streets and E and H Streets NW. The park is relatively small, covering only 0.4 acres, but it is still worth a visit. It is a peaceful oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city and provides a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature.

There are several reasons to visit Rawlins Park, including its beautiful landscape, historic sculptures, and convenient location. The park is home to a number of interesting sculptures, including the John Marshall Memorial and the George Gordon Meade Memorial. Visitors can also enjoy well-manicured lawns, shady trees, and benches for sitting and enjoying the scenery.

Interesting facts about Rawlins Park include its history as a former burial ground for enslaved and free African Americans. The park was established in 1928 and named after Christopher Rawlins, a prominent Washington businessman who supported the development of public parks in the city.

The best time of year to visit Rawlins Park is during the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the park's foliage is at its best. While the park is open year-round, visiting during the summer months can be uncomfortable due to high temperatures and humidity.

Overall, Rawlins Park is a peaceful and historic oasis in the middle of Washington D.C. It is an excellent place to escape the city's hustle and bustle and appreciate some of the city's most beautiful sculptures and landscapes.

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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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