On June 26, 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) officially invited the public to celebrate July 4th at Anacostia Park, “a vibrant community gathering space along the Anacostia River with expansive, open-air views of Washington’s July 4 fireworks,” the press release said. Moreover, the agency promised a fireworks display on the water itself, a first, as part of the semiquincentennial.
“Anacostia Park is one of Washington’s most beloved community spaces,” said Jessica Bowron, an NPS comptroller. “We’re proud to welcome neighbors and visitors from across the region to share in this July 4 tradition along the river.”
Imagine the excitement of Ward 7 and 8 residents, who for the first time would not have to trek across the city to the National Mall to celebrate the national birthday. The reality proved disappointing.
“Unlike across the (Anacostia) River, there was no free water, no water stations or anything provided for the public within the entire footprint from Nicholson Street over to Marion Barry Avenue,” wrote Tom Donohue, commissioner of Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC) 8A01 in a blog post. “Even the park’s permanent infrastructure failed our community; the existing outdoor water dispenser wasn’t working at all,” Donohue observed scathingly…