U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center
U.S. Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center on the National Mall
A NEW education center to welcome the public and a state-of-the-art HOME FOR THE HORSES ON THE MALL
In 2023, the Trust for the National Mall and the National Park Service unveiled the new Horse Stables and Wells Fargo Education Center on the National Mall. The Trust led this transformational project to replace and upgrade the original horse stables built in the 1970’s and to create the new Education Center in partnership with the National Park Service and the United States Park Police Mounted Unit. This exciting project was designed and built by the Trust for the National Mall and entirely funded by private philanthropy, thanks to its generous supporters.
This milestone project created a state of the art, sustainable new home for the horses and officers of the Mounted Unit. Importantly this visionary project also created a NEW Education Center that will welcome the public for the first time to learn about the horses and their history on the National Mall. The horses are in the new stables and the Education Center is now open Thursday - Sunday from 9 AM to 3 PM.
The project also created a permanent and accessible pathway, known as a “Path of Hope,” to better connect the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial to the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool.
The Mounted Unit is one of the oldest and most beloved equestrian units in the U.S. Starting in 1934 with just one horse rented from a local stable, the unit expanded over the next several decades to provide guidance, protection and a friendly equine presence on the National Mall. The Trust worked in partnership with the National Park Service to replace the outdated and inadequate stables, built as a temporary shelter in 1976 for the U.S. Bicentennial, with modern and sustainable structures and adequate space for exercising the horses. The new Education Center allows visitors to learn about, meet and enjoy the horses.
Thanks to the help of generous philanthropic partners, the Trust designed, planned and managed construction of the new facility.
The new Education Center and the US Park Police Horse Stables demonstrate the power of public-private partnership and the power of philanthropy on the National Mall. Learn more about the project below.
HOW TO VISIT:
The new Education Center at the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables is open to the public Thursday - Sunday from 9 AM - 3 PM. Located on the National Mall on Independence Avenue, SW near the intersection with West Basin Drive (please see the map below).
While the Horse Stables Education Center is operational from 9 AM- 3 PM, Thursday through Sunday, the schedule for horses on site may vary based on their patrol times, rest times and meal times.
The NEW Education Center at the US Park Police Horse Stables is NOW OPEN!
The Trust for the National Mall is continuing to raise funds to support the long-term care of the horses and the care and maintenance of the stables. You can make a gift and make a difference! The Trust is also raising funds to help create educational programming and expand the center exhibits to help visitors make meaningful connections to the horses and their history and the National Mall. Ongoing private contributions will be critical to ensuring the US Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center remains a vibrant and engaging space for generations to come.
Project Supporters
Redevelopment of the Horse Stables & Education Center was funded entirely through private donations during a multi-year campaign spearheaded by the Trust for the National Mall. Philanthropic commitments by individuals, corporations, and foundations covered costs of the new facility, including a new 1,000 square foot education center. In addition, the Trust is establishing a long term maintenance and programming fund. Donations from the general public, non-profits, and corporations for the project will be directed toward this fund.
Principal support for this project has been provided by:
Sheila Johnson, Campaign Chair
Wells Fargo
Sachiko Kuno Philanthropic Endowment
Dr. Scholl Foundation, Jeanne Scholl
Phos Foundation, the Suzanne and Glenn Youngkin Family Foundation
Jerry Taylor & Nancy Bryant Foundation
Jean and Ric Edelman
Jacqueline B. Mars and Mars Family
Photos
The NEW U.S. Park Police Stables and Education Center
Come learn about the history of the Mounted Unit at the new Education Center – open to the public Thursday – Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM.
The new Horse Stables and Education Center replaces and improves the former facilities of U.S. Park Police’s Horse Mounted Patrol with modern and sustainable quarters including:
A total of 14 stalls, including a medical stall and a medical paddock, all built to ensure proper air flow and space for the horses housed onsite.
Proper space to exercise the horses and heated wash and tack room.
A permanent office building with a locker room and meeting space for the officers of the U.S. Park Police assigned to the National Mall.
The new construction replaces the flawed drainage systems and inefficient waste and water management systems of the original facility with modernized sustainable solutions.
The new facility makes more efficient use of the site’s original footprint, and features:
A sustainable and energy efficient space
A permeable parking lot that drains during rain and run-off
Stormwater runoff management system
Native trees and plants
Energy-efficient ventilation system to ensure healthy environment for the horses
Skylights to provide natural light
The new facility welcomes visitors to engage and learn about the horses and their history. New public features include:
A welcoming education center with a self-guided tour, educational information on the horses and a history of horse mounted patrol operations on the National Mall.
Two public viewing paddocks with double fencing for visitors to safely observe horses.
A new entrance and pedestrian path to enhance accessibility.
A permanent and accessible pathway that replaces the former dirt path to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
Photos
Construction Site
The Former Stables, Built in 1976
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