Shepherd Parkway is a federally owned parkland corridor that covers the hillside between I-295 and the neighborhoods of Congress Heights and Bellevue in the far southern part of Washington, DC. Its 197 acres of eastern hardwood forest include the remains of two Civil War forts, two bald eagle nests, and views across the city.
Unfortunately, lack of trails, signage or programs have made the park a target for illegal dumping. Invasive plants threaten its ecosystem of native plants and animals. Since 2011, over 2,000 volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash from the woods and cut invasive vines from over 500 trees, but much work remains to be done. Join Ward 8 Woods every second Saturday of the month.