Anacostia Park Roller Rink

This is how we roll

Unique to the National Capital Park system, the Anacostia Park skating pavilion is the only roller rink in the entire National Park Service. It is always free, but in summer it becomes a family and skate master’s daily skate fest. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the rink offers free roller skate rental of the old-fashioned 4-wheelers. Of course, you may lace up your own skates anytime throughout the year.

A rotating crew of DJs spins tunes every weekend evening in summer, which for the older set may be reminiscent of the roller rinks and moonlight skates of youth. DJ Graylin Presbury has been mixing sound at the rink since 1986, with crowd pleasing funk, oldies, R&B, go-go, rock, and top 40s. Off season, you have to bring your own beats. Serious DC skaters are known for their 360-degree jump spins, called snaps, and get their groove from their own headphones or from the DJs. Couples can often be seen “double” skating which looks like a flowing version of hand dancing on wheels. One partner, generally a lady, does most of the twisting and turning moves, with the hand of the other, a man, to provide the momentum for their energetic motion. Line dances may break out, while the veterans whiz around doing their signature moves or perfecting new ones, often at breakneck speed. For the novice or the rusty skater, the intimidation may feel real, but don’t let it. If you ask, a veteran, or someone who’s style you are grooving on, may just offer you some tips.

On a few weekends during the summer the Anacostia Rollers or other groups take over the rink for a synchronized performance that will leave onlookers clapping and cheering. The park itself was originally planned as a deep-water shipping lane and industry hub in the 1790s. Over a century, upstream agriculture caused silt build up, limiting viability as a port. Reclamation converted the swampy flats into a 1,200-acre park.

Address 1500 Anacostia Drive SE, Washington, DC 20020, +1 (202) 472-3884, www.nps.gov/anac/planyourvisit/roller-skating.htm | Getting there Metro to Potomac Avenue (Blue, Orange, and Silver Line) and walk across Sousa Bridge; bus U2, V7, V9 to Pennsylvania Avenue and Fairlawn Drive SE | Hours Daily 9am – 5pm | Tip For a completely different trip around a rink, check out DC’s roller derby scene. Members of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association, the DC Roller Girls, compete from February through August. Check their schedule at www.dcrollergirls.com.