When people think about health and wellness, they often think about doctor’s appointments, gym memberships or dieting. Those things matter, but wellness often begins much closer to home. It starts with access to fresh food. It starts with spending time outdoors. It starts with moving your body, clearing your mind and connecting with your community.
At the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), we believe every resident deserves those opportunities, regardless of where they live or what their budget may be. We are committed to making health, nutrition and wellness accessible across all eight wards through free programs that nourish both body and mind.
As conversations continue around food safety and where our food comes from, more people are paying closer attention to what they’re putting on their tables. There’s never been a better time to enjoy fresh, locally grown produce.
Through DPR’s communal farms, we continue to host free produce giveaways through November at three locations across the District. To make them as accessible as possible, distributions take place four days each week—including Saturdays—so working families can stop by when it’s convenient.
Fresh food should never be a luxury.
Through partnerships with the Capital Area Food Bank and Martha’s Table, we’re able to expand our reach with regular produce distributions and neighborhood pop-up giveaways that bring healthy food directly into our communities.
The impact speaks for itself. In 2025, DPR hosted 117 produce giveaways across the District, distributing more than 99,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables. Nearly 12,000 pounds were grown on DPR farms, while another 87,000 pounds came from our partners. More than 1,400 volunteers helped make this work possible, proving that when a community comes together, everyone benefits.
Our commitment to wellness extends beyond the harvest and your wallets.
DPR proudly stewards urban farms, forested spaces and two food forests at Edgewood Rooftop Farm and Lederer Gardens, where residents can find fruit trees, berries, grapes and herbs growing in the heart of the city. We’re also proud to partner with Casey Trees to help restore and protect the District’s tree canopy because healthy communities depend on healthy environments.
Wellness also means caring for our mental health.
Our Meditative Moments in Nature series invites residents to slow down through forest bathing, yoga, meditation, sound bathing, Healing Hikes and outdoor reiki. These experiences remind us that sometimes the best medicine is simply stepping outside and taking a breath.
For residents looking to build healthy habits, our Gardening 101 and Farm to Fork Culinary Series teach participants how to grow their own food and prepare nutritious meals using seasonal produce from local gardens, while our Herbal Remedies workshops introduce natural approaches to everyday wellness.
If movement is your medicine, we have that covered too.
Our DPR Hike Club has become one of our fastest-growing wellness initiatives, welcoming residents of all ages to explore trails across the District together. More than 1,500 participants joined us last year, and we’re on pace to welcome even more this season. Our next hike takes place September 12 at Oxon Run Park.
We’re also excited to introduce The Reset, an adult camping experience at Camp Riverview in Southern Maryland, September 3-5. Whether you’ve camped for years or have never pitched a tent, it’s an opportunity to unplug, recharge and reconnect with nature alongside fellow residents.
While these programs may look different, they all share one goal: making wellness accessible to everyone.
At DPR, we’re in the business of improving quality of life. That means making sure families have access to healthy food, protecting green spaces, encouraging physical activity and creating spaces where residents can reduce stress, build relationships and thrive.
Health is about more than healthcare. It’s community. It’s fresh air. It’s fresh food. It’s movement. It’s peace of mind.
This season, I encourage you to visit one of our communal farms, pick up fresh produce, take a hike, learn a new recipe or simply spend time enjoying one of the incredible parks that make Washington, DC such a vibrant place to live.
Your next step toward a healthier lifestyle may be closer than you think.
To learn more about DPR’s free health, wellness and recreation programs, including produce giveaway schedules and upcoming events, visit https://dprevents.com/ .
