A boat house at Bladensburg Waterfront Park at 601 Annapolis Rd., is home to several crew teams for local high schools and colleges around the D.C. metro area as well as a community rowing school.

Officially known as the Port Towns Community Boat House, the facility is used by more than 400 rowers from the University of Maryland, Catholic University, DeMatha Catholic High, Elizabeth Seton High, Walter Johnson High and the Washington Rowing School  who store their boats, paddles and other rowing gear here.

The boat house is a launching point for one of the most natural views on the Anacostia River, stretching through Colmar Manor Community Park, the Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens, the U.S. National Arboretum and Kingman Island.

Past Kingman Island, most views from the river include D.C. or Southeast Washington.

That stretch of the river wasn’t always so well-preserved. Until it was demolished in 2015, the Benning Road Power Plant released PCBs and other pollutants into the river and marred the view. Kenilworth Park used to be a landfill where trash was openly burned.

Other projects have helped reduce sewer overflows and sediment carried into the river by erosion in the creeks that lead to it.

The boat house is available for storage of canoes and kayaks and other boating equipment for both individuals and teams. Monthly rates for both inside and outside storage are available.

Kayak and canoe rentals through Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation are also available at the park along as well as boating and pontoon tours of the Anacostia River.

If you are interested in learning how to row, you can sign up for a class through the Washington Rowing School online here.

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