Finding Solace in Nature: D.C. Area Parks Serve as Retreats for Reflection, Community, Resilience

A tense election season and the normal stresses of life in a large city have turned the Washington area’s network of local, state, and national parks into essential refuges of personal reflection, community bonding, and mental resilience, D.C. area residents say.  

Green spaces like Great Falls Park and Rock Creek Park offer more than just scenic beauty, residents say, adding that they are crucial spaces for personal and community.  

As urban growth continues to reshape the DMV area, these parks transcend their role as recreational destinations—they are places where cherished memories are formed and creativity is sparked, they say.

“I think it’s always sort of refreshing and humbling and energizing and, you know, sets things right, Rock Creek Park visitor Cynthia Totten said. “You know, I woke up that morning, and I was just excited to get to the park and be [in] the midst of all that nature and beauty,” she said as she recounted her most recent visit on Nov. 10.

Elizabeth and Vance Tumilty, lifelong nature enthusiasts, recently returned to Great Falls Park on Nov. 8, retracing the steps they first took 16 years ago with their young children. Now visiting as empty nesters, they said their trip coincided with an art teacher conference they attended.

The Tumiltys said the park provides enrichment and strengthens their relationship with nature and clears up their thoughts.

“On the trails, you get to get into your thoughts and clear some things up,” Vance Tumilty said.

Beyond hiking, shared activities such as ATV riding and kayaking have deepened their connection and sense of responsibility to the environment. “If we can pick up some [trash], we do pick it up and then get really upset when we see all the stuff people throw off to the side,” Elizabeth Tumilty said.

Totten, a devoted visitor to Rock Creek, echoed sentiment. Drawn back by the changing autumn leaves, Totten said nature offers her a much-needed pause from life and the buzz following the 2024 presidential election.

“I get a sense of stepping away from day-to-day life, from the computer and phone and just being awed by nature…some reassurance that despite the craziness that we’re all kind of witnessing right now, that there’s something bigger than that,” she said.

As an advocate who works for the rights of incarcerated individuals serves as strong voice against sexual abuse in detention centers, Totten said she finds her time at the park essential for mental resilience.

She said disconnecting is not just self-care—it fuels her capacity to advocate for others.

Surrounded by the tranquility of Rock Creek, she said she feels more grounded and ready to tackle her demanding work with a renewed sense of self.

Autumn Cook, a National Park Service public affairs officer for Rock Creek Park, highlighted the park’s broader significance as a community space.

Cook said the park attracts an array of visitors, from solo hikers and cyclists to families and dog owners. She said programs such as the Rock Creek’s planetarium and the Bark Ranger initiative engage the public, while special events such as the historic programs around Lincoln-Thomas Day leave a lasting impression on young attendees.

But Cook said that maintaining an urban oasis like Rock Creek Park poses challenges. “Off-leash dogs and park management are ongoing issues,” Cook said. She said the park’s mission is to involve locals not just in enjoying the space but in taking ownership of its future.