The DC Office of Motion Picture and Television Development is pleased to recognize East Potomac Park in Southwest Washington as the June 2013 One City Location of the Month. East Potomac Park is situated on a more than 300 acre man-made island located between the Washington Channel and the Potomac River, and is known for its stunning views of the District’s famous Japanese cherry trees and a scenic riverfront trail that lines the perimeter of the park.
East Potomac Park is home to an 18-hole and two 9-hole public golf courses, a miniature golf course, a public swimming pool (the East Potomac Park Aquatic Center), a playground, recreation center, and tennis courts. Nearly 275 of the park’s 330 acres are used for recreation. Hains Point, a 15 acre open green space at the park’s southern edge, offers striking views of the Potomac River, Fort McNair, and the National War College. Planes departing and arriving from the Ronald Reagan National Airport can also be seen from Hain’s Point.
Many of the park’s cherry trees are slightly different than those adorning the Tidal Basin and tend to bloom just after the popular Cherry Blossom Festival, giving filmmakers an opportunity to capture the beauty of the full cherry blossoms without having to navigate a flood of tourists. These trees are located along Ohio Drive on the Potomac River side of the park. The park’s trails and pathways, specifically Ohio Drive, are very popular with bicyclists, walkers, skaters, and runners. In October, it fills with competitors in the annual Marine Corps Marathon.
Located just south of the Jefferson Memorial, East Potomac Park is under the jurisdiction of the National Mall and Memorial Parks unit of the National Park Service.
In 2011, the DC Film Office launched its One City Location of the Month to bring attention to the wide range of varied, cinematically compelling locations that are available to film and television productions. Former One City Location of the Month recipients include the Bellevue neighborhood in Southwest, Yards Park in Southeast, the Josephine Butler Parks Center in Northwest, and the Deanwood neighborhood in Northeast.
To learn more about East Potomac Park and to view photos please visit the One City Location of the Month feature on our web site. If you are interested in using East Potomac Park for a future filming location, please contact us at [email protected].