DC Department of Parks and Recreation
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.
- Company typePublic
- Founded-
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
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.
DC Department of Parks and Recreation firmographics
Firmographics- 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
DC Department of Parks and Recreation industry classification
Industry- 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
Where DC Department of Parks and Recreation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
DC Department of Parks and Recreation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | DC Resident Free Access |
| Subscription | Per seat | Reduced Rate Programs |
| Subscription | Monthly | Non-Resident Passes and Memberships |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Permit Fees |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
DC Department of Parks and Recreation product offering
Product offeringCore 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
Companies that use DC Department of Parks and Recreation
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
DC Department of Parks and Recreation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
DC Department of Parks and Recreation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Southeast Tennis and Learning Center (SETLC)coreDPR 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 SchoolcoreExtended 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 ServiceminorNational 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)coreDGS 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 RecipientscoreOrganizations 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
DC Department of Parks and Recreation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
DC Department of Parks and Recreation social profiles
Digital presenceDC Department of Parks and Recreation compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
DC Department of Parks and Recreation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DC Department of Parks and Recreation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
DC Department of Parks and Recreation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DC Department of Parks and Recreation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&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
What does DC Department of Parks and Recreation do?
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.
Is DC Department of Parks and Recreation a public or private company?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was DC Department of Parks and Recreation founded?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation was founded in -1.
Where is DC Department of Parks and Recreation based?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does DC Department of Parks and Recreation make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Government Budget Appropriation is the primary driver. The others are program Fees and Memberships, permit Fees, grants and donations and Sponsorships.
Does DC Department of Parks and Recreation have an API?
No public API is recorded for DC Department of Parks and Recreation.
What industry is DC Department of Parks and Recreation in?
DC Department of Parks and Recreation's product category is Public Parks and Recreation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAIACAI, Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services, with a secondary code of MPAKAEAH, Multi-Sport Complexes & Community Sports Parks. Its NAICS code is 71219 and its SIC code is 7990.