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Thanks for joining us for the 4th Annual Kingman Island Friends and Family Day! Stay tuned for the 2025 event date.

2024 KINGMAN ISLAND FRIENDS AND FAMILY DAY ACTIVITIES

Select activities have ASL interpretation available. See the activity schedule and descriptions for more information.

  • Presented by WABA's DC Trail Rangers 

    Join the DC Trail Rangers for a fun, family friendly bike ride along the Anacostia River Trail to kick off Kingman Island Friends and Family Day! This bike ride will be at a slow, conversational pace and take place entirely on paved trails. The ride will start at the entrance to Kingman and Heritage Islands, continue north to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, and then return back to the starting location. All attendees must be able to ride a bike. Attendees are expected to arrive at the start of the event with their own bicycle and helmet. Please contact trailranger@waba.org if you do not have your own bike or helmet and they will provide one for you at the event. All participants must register in advance at this link. 

    10:30 - 12:00 PM 

  • Presented by: Erin Palmer, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner 4B02 

     Have you ever admired the beautiful plants on Kingman and Heritage Islands and wanted to get involved with your neighborhood? Join us in creating eco-friendly flower and leaf crowns while using local plants and craft supplies. We will provide the materials and fun! As a bonus, participants can seek assistance in finding information about their local Advisory Neighborhood Commission!

  • Presented by: Casey Trees

    Have you ever wanted to explore the walking trails of Kingman and Heritage Islands? Are you interested in learning the difference between native and invasive trees? Join one of Casey Trees' urban foresters for a 30-minute guided walking tour of the islands! Participants will learn about island restoration projects and tree identification skills. All ages welcome!

    Tree walks will depart at 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 PM. ASL interpretation will be available for the 3:30 walk.

  • Presented by: Casey Trees 

    Want to learn why trees are so important in the District? Join Casey Trees, who will have activities for all ages, including a Tree Bookmark Craft, Tree Bingo Game and a Scavenger Hunt using their Kingman and Heritage Islands specific tree guide. You can also learn about basic tips for tree identification while using the Casey Trees Species Guide! Talk to us about what we do in the city and how you can get free trees for your yard or community.

  • Presented by: Living Classrooms of the National Capitol Region 

    Ever wonder what species are thriving in the Kingman Meadow? Come explore this exciting ecosystem using nets and hand lenses to observe some of the smaller inhabitants up close. Living Classroom guides will be available to help you along your journey of discovery!

  • Presented by: RES and Sarver Ecological  

    Ask subject matter experts your questions about the ecological restoration project currently underway on Kingman and Heritage Islands! RES and Sarver Ecological will be on hand to discuss the design principles and implementation strategies, tactics, and techniques being implemented to establish a plethora of different native plant communities on the islands.

  • Presented by: RES 

    Participate in the planting of the savanna habitat on Kingman Island! Help install shrub thickets and grass and wildflower patches, creating valuable habitat for local wildlife.

  • Presented by: DC Water  

    How does runoff impact the District and the Anacostia River? Gather around this table-top display as DC Water staff demonstrate how runoff moves through a typical cityscape. You'll also learn how your actions can make a difference.

  • Presented by: DC Water  

    What happens when empty soda bottles and potato chip bags end up in the Anacostia River? Through this interactive game, participants will use hand-held nets in a race to clear the trash from the "river" (a kiddie pool) and learn about the impacts of litter on our waterways.

  • Presented by: Wake the 8 DC

    Join Wake the 8 DC for a fun-filled Zumba inspired fitness instruction with Wake the 8’s very own Coach Blu! Learn how to use music to get your heart and muscles pumping through exercise and dance. We accommodate all fitness levels no matter the abilities or challenges. We have modified exercise movements to ensure all can participate. Wake the 8 DC promotes physical fitness and mental wellness across the District, especially in communities that lack healthful resources and could benefit the most.

    1:00 - 2:00 PM

    ASL interpretation will be available for this activity.

  • Beginner-Friendly Yoga

    Presented by: Bright Bear Yoga

    Join us for a beginner-friendly yoga session in nature's studio - the great outdoors. Connect with your body and your surroundings as we flow through poses designed for all skill levels. Breathe in the fresh air, listen to the soothing sounds of the surroundings, and let nature inspire your practice. Bring your mat, a water bottle, and a sense of curiosity. Don't have a mat? No problem, we have some on hand you can borrow.

    2:30 - 3:30 PM

    ASL interpretation will be available for this activity.

  • Join three local artists to help complete their spirit of the river sculpture that honors the Anacostia River! Learn about the cycle of plastics in the river and what you can do about it. Write down your wishes for the river and stuff them into bottles collected from the river that will be incorporated into an expansive net connected to the torso of the sculpture. 

    This project is supported by a fellowship from the Social Art & Culture, The Arts Program at Aspen Institute, and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities.

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment 

    Want to learn how to make observations in nature by using almost all of your senses? Join us in the meadow to discover what you can observe with your eyes, ears, nose, and hands! Participants can use these observation skills for future explorations anywhere they go. 

  • Presented by: Living Classrooms of the National Capitol Region.

    Do you want to explore Kingman Lake by water while also cleaning up our river? Guided by Living Classrooms paddling staff, participants will partner up and paddle on Kingman Lake in search of trash. Participants will be provided with basic instructions, gloves, and trash grabbers. No paddling experience is required! Age requirement: 4 years and older.  

    Not joining us on the water? Stop by our info table to play a game about marine debris and try sitting in a kayak on land!

    Slot 1: 10:00 - 11:30 AM
    (Pre-event paddle. Sign up in advance online.)

    Slot 2: 12:00 - 1:30 PM
    (No sign-up required.)

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment 

    Join us for an exciting day as we step into the shoes of a RiverSmart Homes Auditor! Embark on an exciting engaging activity where participants can map homes with best management practices like rain barrels, bayscapes, rain gardens, shade trees, permeable pavers, and more. Participate in this challenging yet enjoyable mapping activity on stormwater management, with a chance to win a nice prize!

  • Presented by: Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 

    Learn about the different stages of the lotus life cycle as it grows from a dormant seed to a fully bloomed flower and how that process repeats all over again. Once you've learned a bit about this process, you'll put your knowledge to the test with a quick matching game! Visitors can then have the opportunity to create and take home their own paper lotus using a simply folding technique, similar to origami.

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment 

    Do you have a shirt with a fraying hem or socks with holes that you don’t know how to mend? DOEE’s Fix-It DC will be offering textile repair help with our community coaches in addition to a children’s clothing swap. Stop by our tent at the main entrance to drop-off your donations of washed, gently-used children’s clothing from 12pm-1pm and swing back around from 1-3pm for the swap.

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment and Washington Spirit 

    Ever wondered how scoring a goal can make a real difference in your community? Join us for our Sustainable DC Target Practice and discover how hitting your target can help all of us reach our sustainability goals! After taking your shot, you’ll get the chance to test your knowledge by guessing how close we are to achieving DC’s 2032 sustainability targets. From reducing waste to increasing use of public transportation, find out where we stand and what more we can do together to build a greener future! 

  • Presented by: Friends of Anacostia Park 

    Express love and gratitude for yourself, others, and nature through a variety of take-home arts and craft projects led by Friends of Anacostia Park. Crafts include bracelets, picture frames, and cards.   

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment and LIVING CLASSROOMS OF THE NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION  

    Did you know that keeping our dogs on leashes while exploring the islands can benefit our ecosystem? Sign the Paw Pledge and have your dog become a Kingman Bark Ranger! Dogs will receive an official Bark Ranger bandana and will help ensure all people and creatures are kept safe and happy on the islands. 

  • Presented by: Department of Energy & Environment  

    Want to learn how to fish but not sure where to start? Join DOEE to learn basic fishing skills and practice catch-and-release fishing. Participants will have the opportunity to learn common fishing knots, how to cast a line, and about the watersheds where the real DC lunkers lurk. From fishing pros to newbies, everyone is welcome! Equipment, bait, and tackle will be provided. 

  • Presented by: Sherwin Thwaites

    Bring your dancing shoes and join us for a performance by master steel drum musician Sherwin Thwaites. His modern, Caribbean-style music is perfect for all ages to enjoy. 

    1:15 - 3:00 PM

  • Presented by: Luther Wright 

    Award winning muralist Luther Wright will design and paint a nature-themed interactive mural reflecting his vibrant and colorful style and the wildlife on the islands. Grab a paint brush and help complete the community mural! 

  • Presented by: Baba Ras D

    Join Baba Ras D for the "Harambee Experience", a transformative and enlightening musical program for all. 

    12:30 - 1:15 PM

    ASL interpretation will be available for this activity.

  • Join us to meet Rodney Stotts, a renowned falconer hailing from Southeast Washington D.C., with his raptors! Rodney, a passionate Black falconer, is committed to creating, engaging, and educating others. Through his organization, Rodney's Raptors, he conveys the healing powers of nature! Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the awe-inspiring descendants of dinosaurs and experience the raw power of nature!

    2:00 - 3:30 PM

    ASL interpretation will be available for this activity.

  • Got a question about the history of the islands? Want to know how the islands are being maintained and restored? Kingman Island Rangers are here to help and happy to answer any of your questions. Rangers will be wearing Kingman and Heritage Island blue Ranger shirts.

  • Are you curious about wetlands? Have you ever wondered what causes stormwater runoff and flooding in the city, and how wetlands might be able to help? Join us as we dive into the wild world of wetlands. We will use a large-scale model to create, test, and visualize how the wetlands play a vital role in our everyday lives and mitigate flooding around our District waterways! Work as a team to explore test solutions to a variety of watershed and floodplain problems simulated by the model.

  • Do you want to learn about current and future plans for Kingman and Heritage Islands? Want to share your thoughts and feedback? Come by to learn about design improvements on the Islands that prioritize conservation and restoration of the natural ecology and focus on education opportunities for visitors of all ages.

  • Presented by: Urban Adventure Squad 

    Whose footprints are those--raccoon, groundhog, or river otter? Join outdoor learning organization Urban Adventure Squad (UAS) to explore the animal tracks of neighborhood critters that live along the Anacostia River. Participants of all ages can use pre-carved stamps made by UAS educator Randi Jones to make their own take-home tracker or create a postcard to share the outdoor learning fun with friends and neighbors. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

  • For directs by metro, bus, streetcar, foot or bike, and car visit: kingmanisland.com/visit. Parking will be limited. We highly recommend you bike, walk, or take public transit.  

  • There will not be food or drink for sale during the event. We welcome you to pack your own snacks. Bonus points if it is a zero-waste lunch. There will be water stations available to refill water bottles.

  • Portable bathrooms, including an ADA wheelchair accessible bathroom, will be available during the event.

  • Yes! All activities are designed for kids and adults.

  • Dogs on a leash are welcome on the islands. Please keep in mind that there will be children and activities that might create a stressful environment for your dog. Be sure to stop by the Bark Rangers table to sign a Paw Pledge and receive a Bark Ranger dog bandana!  

  • Wear comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for outdoor activities like paddling, yoga, and walking through nature. All activities will be outside.

  • The Department of Energy and Environment is committed to making our events accessible to all District residents. To request an accommodation or inquire about accessibility, please contact Marissa O’Neill at Marissa.oneill@dc.gov or 202-497-3029. This page will be updated with further accessibility information as more activities and logistics are confirmed.

    ASL interpretation will be available for the following activities:

    12:30 - 1:15 PM: The Harambee Experience (Live Kids Music) with Baba Ras D

    1:00 - 2:00 PM: Zumba with Wake the 8

    2:00 - 3:30 PM: Meet a Raptor with Rodney's Raptors

    2:30 - 3:30 PM: Beginner-Friendly Yoga with Bright Bear Yoga

    3:30 - 4:00 PM: Tree Walk with Casey Trees