DC Department of Parks and Recreation

What DC Department of Parks and Recreation does

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) is a municipal government agency within the District of Columbia government, operating under Mayor Muriel Bowser and led by Director Thennie Freeman. The agency manages an extensive public recreation infrastructure — 850+ acres of green space, 243 neighborhood parks, 68 recreation and community centers, 35 pools and aquatic centers, 36 spray parks, 122 outdoor basketball courts, 138 tennis courts, 110 athletic and ball fields, and community gardens — distributed across all 8 wards so that every DC resident is within 2 miles of a recreation center.

DPR delivers hundreds of free and low-cost recreational programs, including youth sports leagues, summer and winter camps, therapeutic recreation, senior services, adaptive programs for people with disabilities, and signature events such as Late Night Hype, Jazz in the Park, and Movies on Deck. The technology backbone consists of a DPR Account system for residency verification and swipe-based facility access, a Webtrac-based online registration portal, a real-time pool and spray park status page (DPRsplash), an interactive facility locator, and an online permit application system. The agency also administers the Rec for All grant program (awards up to $75,000, with a separate Fort Dupont Ice Arena grant pool up to $235,000) and the 2026 Play It Forward Scholarship program.

DPR is funded through annual DC government budget appropriations, supplemented by non-resident pass revenue, permit fees, grants, donations, and partnerships with non-profits and private entities such as Maret School. The agency holds CAPRA accreditation (151 standards) and has been ranked the nation's #1 big city park system by the Trust for Public Land for six consecutive years. The Bowser Administration has invested more than $600 million in recreation center capital projects since 2015, with major active expansions at Crummell Community Center, Southeast Tennis and Learning Center, Rosedale Outdoor Pool, and the Fort Dupont Ice Arena.

Name

DC Department of Parks and Recreation

Legal name

DC Department of Parks and Recreation

Website

https://dpr.dc.gov

Company type

Public

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation is a municipal government agency that manages 850+ acres, 243 parks, 68 recreation centers, and 35 pools across all 8 wards of Washington, DC, delivering free and low-cost recreation programs, camps, and senior and adaptive services to DC residents through appropriated funding and community partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Parks and Recreation Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services (BPAIACAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks (MPAKAEAH), Parks, Recreation & Protected Areas Administration (BPAIAMAH), Education & Community Programs (Junior Ranger, Citizen Science, School Programs) (THAAAGAK)

Keywords

• Municipal recreation services
• Public park management
• Aquatic facilities
• Community recreation programs
• Athletic field permits

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Budget Appropriation: DC Department of Parks and Recreation is a government agency funded through annual DC government budget appropriations. The FY27 budget prioritizes enhanced funding for education and public safety while preserving core city services.
2. Program Fees and Memberships: DC residents receive free access to most programs with verified DPR account. Non-residents and fee-based programs generate revenue through annual and monthly passes for fitness centers and aquatic facilities.
3. Permit Fees: Fees for reserving DPR facilities, parks, fields, and pools for organized activities and events. Fee schedule is based on DC Regulation with waivers available for eligible organizations.
4. Grants: Rec for All Community Grants awarded to organizations providing recreational programming. Programming grants up to $75,000, Support/Engagement/Events grants up to $10,000, and Fort Dupont Ice Arena grants up to $235,000.
5. Donations and Sponsorships: DPR accepts monetary gifts and in-kind equipment, materials, and services from individuals, corporations, foundations, and partners. Honorary donations allow commemorating important persons or events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation operates, maintains, and programs public parks, recreation centers, pools, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis courts, and community centers across the District of Columbia. It delivers year-round structured recreation programming in aquatics, fitness, sports, camps, senior services, and therapeutic recreation, and processes athletic, picnic, and special-event permits for use of public park space. Services are free to DC residents who register a DPR account, with fee-based access for non-residents and for permitted facility uses.

Product overview

DC Department of Parks and Recreation operates a comprehensive parks and recreation system providing quality urban recreation and leisure services across all eight wards of Washington, DC. The agency manages 243 neighborhood parks, 68 recreation and community centers, 35 pools and aquatic centers (17 outdoor pools and 36 spray parks), 122 outdoor basketball courts, 138 tennis courts, 110 athletic fields, and community gardens. DPR offers hundreds of free programs including sports leagues, youth development, therapeutic recreation, aquatic programming, outdoor adventure, camping, and senior activities. Key platforms include the DPR Account system for residency verification and program registration, the DPR Permits system for facility reservations, and membership programs for fitness centers and aquatic facilities. The agency also administers grant programs (Rec for All) and scholarship opportunities (Play It Forward) supporting community organizations and youth education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Public Parks and Recreation Centers Network of neighborhood parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and community centers operated by DPR and accessible free of charge to DC residents with a DPR account; serves residents seeking walkable recreation space.
• Aquatic Facilities and Swim Programs Public swimming pools, splash pads, swim lessons, and aquatic programming operated seasonally across the District; includes the Rosedale outdoor pool and Banneker Pool renovations for the community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 236,000+ pool visitors in summer season
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 April 2026DPR partnered on $23 million expansion adding 3 indoor USTA courts, 4 outdoor USTA courts, 4 pickleball courts, event plaza, playground, and parking. Founded by Cora Masters Barry. Expansion expected completion Summer 2026, enabling SETLC to host USTA-sanctioned international junior tournaments.
• Maret SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 August 2019Extended partnership for Jelleff Recreation Center in Ward 2. Maret invested nearly $1 million ($700,000 for turf replacement, $250,000 for recreation center renovation) for approximately 15 hours per week field access. District students and residents receive priority access 80 hours per week. Extends a 10-year partnership for another 9 years.
• National Park ServiceminorOthersNational Park Service manages some DPR locations including Anacostia, Fort Dupont, Haines Point, Rock Creek Park, National Mall, and West Potomac Fields. Separate permits required for these locations through NPS.
• Department of General Services (DGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDGS manages construction projects on behalf of DPR. Serves as subject matter expert for project planning and design. Works collaboratively on community engagement throughout capital projects.
• Rec for All Grant RecipientscoreOthersOrganizations receiving Rec for All grants up to $75,000 for programming in cultural arts, youth development, environmental, sports/athletics, and therapeutic recreation. Grant rounds include Programming Grant, SEE Grant, Extended Summer Programming, and Fort Dupont Ice Arena grants up to $235,000.

Scale indicators18 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/dcdpr
• Facebookfacebook.com/dcdpr
• Instagraminstagram.com/dcdpr

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about DC Department of Parks and Recreation