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Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway Road Closures and Construction update Fall 2012
Beginning October 15, 2012 construction work on Rock Creek Parkway at Waterside Drive will resume. Delays are expected as lane closures occur to accomodate work. Planned completion for all work is December 2012. More »
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October 16, 17, 18 Beach Drive Closure from Rock Creek & Potomac Parkway to Porter Street
Beach Drive will be closed from Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway at Beach Drive to Porter Street, NW from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 pm daily October 16, 17 and 18. Rock Creek Park maintenance workers will be performing tree work, repairs and tunnel cleaning.
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
![]() Nature Center and Planetarium
5200 Glover Road, NW Open 9:00 am. - 5.00 pm Wednesday-Sunday. The new, permanent Nature Center was opened on June 4, 1960. Meant to appeal primarily to young people, the Center's dedication ceremony was conducted entirely by children. Today, the Rock Creek Nature Center is the major information center and focal point for activities related to the park's natural and cultural history. Exhibits tell about the park's wildlife and forest, and a library, open to all, has many books on natural history. A Discovery Room will encourage hands-on activities. An observation beehive is located on the back wall of the exhibit room. Visitors can watch the bees at work in the hive, visible through glass panes. The hive is connected to the outdoors by a plastic tube. Guided nature walks and curriculum based environmental education programs take place daily. The Center hopes to instill an affection for wild places, the ability to find a sense of wonder in them, and discover the joys of the outdoors. Programs attempt to teach the concepts of ecology, to identify the local flora and fauna, and to understand man's interrelationship with nature. A wheelchair-accessible, self-guiding nature trail is nearby. The Center and all programs are accessible to wheelchairs. The Nature Center encourages teachers and youth group leaders to use the facilities and staff during the week. Advance group reservations are required. A monthly calendar of activities is available upon request. |
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Did You Know?
![The Old Stone House The Old Stone House](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121018095444im_/http://www.nps.gov/ncr/images/ROCR_oldstonehouse130x65.jpg)
The Old Stone House in Georgetown is one of the oldest homes in Washington, DC. It was built in 1765.