This agreement enables the maintenance and operation of piscataway park facilities to support the accokeek foundation in preserving the park s historic, scenic, cultural, scientific, and public access

The National Park Service (NPS) awarded Accokeek Foundation Inc. a $749,000 Cooperative Agreement under the NPS Conservation, Protection, Outreach, and Education program (CFDA 15.954) on June 20, 2025, with a completion date of June 19, 2035. The agreement enables the maintenance and operation of Piscataway Park facilities in Maryland, including the National Colonial Farm visitor center, which the Foundation manages on behalf of the NPS. Key deliverables include annual educational programming serving thousands of children, with emphasis on farm-based education and environmental stewardship delivered through a historical lens, as well as preservation and interpretation of the park's historic, scenic, cultural, and scientific resources along the Potomac River.

The cooperative agreement supports the Foundation's critical role in maintaining public access to Piscataway Park's open and wooded lands while providing historical context related to nearby Mount Vernon Estate and Fort Washington. Through this partnership, the award advances NPS objectives to ensure national parks remain open and accessible to the public, fostering community engagement and appreciation for the region's natural and cultural heritage. The ten-year funding period reflects the long-term commitment to sustaining the park's operations and educational mission within the Chesapeake Bay watershed region.

The foundation provides annual programming to thousands of children, focusing on farm-based education and environmental stewardship through a historical lens. The accokeek foundation s historical management role in the national colonial farm is critical for maintaining and interpreting the site on behalf of the national park service, including the management of the visitor center. Established through a donation under public law 87-362, piscataway park protects the open and wooded lands along the potomac river, providing historical context from the mount vernon estate and fort washington. This initiative aligns with secretary s order 3426, ensuring that national parks remain open and accessible to the public, fostering appreciation for the natural and cultural heritage of the area while enhancing community engagement and educational opportunities.