Step into Little Forest Park a hidden gem in Northwest Washington DC. This isn’t your typical city park. Little Forest Park holds a unique story a legacy woven into the very soil beneath your feet.
Before it was a park this land was farmland. Wheat and tobacco grew here. The land was too steep for farming though. It remained largely wooded. That changed in the late 1800s. Francis G Newlands a future Senator from Nevada began purchasing property. He and William Morris Stewart formed the Chevy Chase Land Development Company. This company developed the neighborhoods of Chevy Chase in Washington DC and Chevy Chase in Maryland.
In 1939 Edith McAllister Newlands Senator Newlands’ widow died. She left three acres to the District. She called it her “little forest”. It was to be a memorial to her husband. Her daughters added another 5.7 acres. In 1942 the estate transferred the land to the District. In 1948 it became part of the National Park Service. It remains a memorial to Senator Newlands today.
Little Forest Park is mostly undeveloped. It has a couple of walking trails. These trails were created by neighborhood residents. The park offers a tranquil escape. It’s a place to connect with nature. It’s a peaceful refuge amidst the bustling city.
So here you stand in Little Forest Park. You’re surrounded by history. You’re walking where farmland once stood. You’re breathing the air that Senator Newlands once breathed. Feel the connection to the past the quiet strength of this little forest. It’s a small park but it has a big story. A story of family legacy and urban green space. Remember this hidden gem. It’s a testament to the enduring power of nature and memory.