A forest in the heart of our neighborhood
Fort Stevens Park · Van Buren Street NW · Washington, D.C.
A forest in the heart of our neighborhood
Fort Stevens Park · Van Buren Street NW · Washington, D.C.
Protecting Our Forest Together
About
Tucked inside Fort Stevens Park, the Fort Stevens Forest Patch is a two-acre, mature urban forest of 157 trees (including 9 Heritage Trees (100+ in circumference)). This quiet corner of our neighborhood is doing extraordinary work — filtering the air we breathe, soaking up stormwater before it floods our streets, and storing carbon that took nearly a century to accumulate.
It may not be the most visited part of the park, but it is among the most valuable.
What This Forest Does for Us
Every year, the trees of the Fort Stevens Forest Patch:
- Shelters several species of birds and other small animals such as squirrels and rabbits
- Filter 118 pounds of air pollution from the atmosphere
- Absorb more than 33,000 gallons of stormwater that would otherwise overwhelm streets and storm drains
- Pull 2.31 tons of carbon out of the air annually
- Hold 55 tons of stored carbon — accumulated over the better part of a century
That stored carbon deserves special attention. It is not a renewable resource. It cannot be replanted into existence. It took this forest nearly 100 years to build, and it would take another 100 to recover if it were lost.
75 Protected Trees in a Forest of 157
We've counted: There are 157 trees on this site, including:
- 9 Heritage Trees (100+ inches in circumference - illegal to cut down healthy trees)
- 66 Special Trees (40-99 inches in circumference - $55/inch to cut down)
- 32 recently planted, young trees
- 50 other healthy trees
Together, these trees represent an irreplaceable natural asset.
A Threat to the Forest
In early 2026, DC International School proposed building a new sports and community facility that would be sited in the forest patch — or, as a second option, on the park's existing playground and splash pad.
The proposed complex was 83,000 square feet, comprising approximately 28,000 square feet of indoor space (a full-size gymnasium, 500-seat auditorium, locker rooms, and concessions) with the remainder as structured parking and storage. A separate multipurpose athletic field was also proposed.
The process began on February 25, when DCI left flyers at some neighboring homes with few details and no mention of where the building would be sited. DCI went on to launch a website, publish a formal RFP for architectural services, present at two ANC 4A meetings (April 7 and May 28), and present at one Brightwood Community Association meeting (June 9). Neighbors expressed strong opposition at all three.
As of September 2026, DCI says it's stepping back from the recreation center and focusing instead on possible improvements to the existing athletic field. No specific design has been chosen, and there's no construction timeline. More details, past meeting materials, and a community survey are on their website, fortstevenspartnership.org.
We're glad the recreation center idea is off the table for now. But DCI has said it's only "taking additional time" to consider it — not dropping it for good. So this is a pause, not the end of the story, and we're still watching closely.
Our position remains straightforward: do not build on the forest. This forest took decades to grow, and no replanting plan can substitute for it.
The Fort Stevens Forest Patch Stewards
The Fort Stevens Forest Patch Stewards are a group of neighbors devoted to caring for this forest. Through regular trash cleanups, removal of invasive plant species, and the promotion of assisted natural regeneration — helping native trees reseed and grow on their own terms — we work to keep this forest healthy and thriving for everyone who lives near it, walks through it, or simply benefits from its presence.
What Neighbors Say About the Forest
Critical for Wildlife
Critical for our Environment
Critical for Wildlife
"The forest patch is a regular haunt for Cooper's and Red-Tailed hawks, Great Crested Flycatchers, Cedar Waxwings, Northern Flickers, and a host of migrating species."
- Fort Stevens Park Neighbor
Critical for People
Critical for our Environment
Critical for Wildlife
"Without the trees, Fort Stevens Park would have almost no natural space. Right now, the city facilities are in balance with natural green space. Take away the trees and people will only be there to use the facilities rather than walking around and hanging out. Those unstructured interactions are what makes a neighborhood."
- Fort Stevens Park Neighbor
Critical for our Environment
Critical for our Environment
Critical for our Environment
"I grew up in this neighborhood since 1963 and love the trees. They are a great resource to our community. Too many trees are being cut down all over and we need to preserve them. Great for the air."
-Fort Stevens Park Neighbor
Critical for All
Critical for our Environment
Critical for our Environment
"The whole Fort Stevens parcel of land is a benefit to the entire community, for the various uses it already supports, for the peaceful nature it retains and supports, and for the environmental protections it enables (stormwater control, cleaner air, temperature control, etc.)."
-Fort Stevens Park Neighbor
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