Lake Artemesia Park

Gazing across the glistening expanse of Lake Artemesia, can you imagine this tranquil oasis was once a bustling hub of industry? Today, Lake Artemesia Park in Prince George’s County, Maryland, offers a peaceful escape. It’s a haven for nature lovers, but its story is deeply intertwined with the history of the Washington Metro’s Green Line. Lake Artemesia Park wasn’t always a lake. In the late 1980s, during the construction of the Green Line, this area underwent a dramatic transformation. The land, originally featuring a smaller lake named Lake Artemesia, was excavated for sand and gravel. This material was crucial for constructing the rail beds and parking lots of the College Park–University of Maryland and Greenbelt stations. This ingenious solution saved Metro a substantial $10 million. In return, $8 million was invested to create the larger lake and surrounding natural area, mitigating the impact of the excavation. During construction, this area was even temporarily nicknamed “Lake Metro”. The current name, Lake Artemesia Park, honors Artemesia N. Drefs. She generously donated ten lots to the county in 1972, ensuring its preservation as open space. This act continued a family legacy. The original smaller lake, formed in the mid-1800s from a quarry that supplied stone for the B&O Railroad, also bore the name Artemesia. It honored Drefs’s mother and grandmother. Drefs’s father, Arthur, had surveyed the land for his Lakeland development in the 1890s. According to Drefs, the original lake was used to raise goldfish and later stocked with bass. Today, the park boasts 38 acres of sparkling water. It’s surrounded by hiker-biker trails, part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System and the East Coast Greenway. The paved 1.35-mile trail around the lake is perfect for a leisurely stroll or a brisk bike ride. As you explore Lake Artemesia Park, consider its rich history. From a source of construction materials to a tranquil sanctuary, this park reflects the enduring connection between human ingenuity and the natural world. It stands as a testament to the vision of Artemesia N. Drefs and the transformative power of urban planning.