Fort Barnard Community Gardens

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Parks

Virginia

Nearby: Fort Barnard Park Fort Barnard Heights Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Fort Barnard Community Gardens is a small community garden located in Arlington, Virginia.

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Summary

The garden is maintained by local volunteers and provides a peaceful and relaxing environment for visitors to enjoy.

One of the main reasons to visit Fort Barnard Community Gardens is to see the various plants and vegetables that are grown there. The garden features a variety of produce, including tomatoes, cucumbers, and herbs. Visitors can also learn about sustainable gardening practices and how to grow their own food.

In addition to the plants, Fort Barnard Community Gardens also has several points of interest to see. Visitors can check out the garden's bee hives, which produce honey used by local residents and businesses. The garden also features a composting area where visitors can learn about the benefits of composting and how to start their own compost pile.

Interesting facts about the area include the fact that the garden is located on the site of a former Civil War fort. Fort Barnard was built in 1861 to defend Washington, D.C. during the Civil War. Today, the garden serves as a reminder of the area's rich history.

The best time of year to visit Fort Barnard Community Gardens is in the spring and summer months, when the plants are in full bloom. Visitors can enjoy the warm weather and take in the beauty of the garden's many flowers and vegetables.

Overall, Fort Barnard Community Gardens is a wonderful place to visit for those interested in sustainable gardening practices, local history, and enjoying the great outdoors.

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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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