The Marvin Gaye Trail offers a paved pathway through the Deanwood, Burville, Lincoln Heights, and Hillbrook neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Just shy of 2 miles, it runs from Minnesota Avenue NE, near the Minnesota Avenue Metro Station, to 61st Street NE, near the Maryland border and the Capitol Heights Metro Station.
For its entire distance, the trail loosely parallels the Watts Branch stream through a tree-lined corridor and traverses Marvin Gaye Park (formally known as Watts Branch Park). Two elementary schools and a high school are just blocks from the trail, so it offers students a safe way to access recreational opportunities. Shops and restaurants also buffer the trail.
Marvin Gaye, the famed musician for whom the trail is named, was born and raised in Washington, DC. At the trail's east end is the Marvin Gaye Recreation Center (6201 Bank Place NE), which includes a playground with play structures shaped like a piano and musical notes.
Trail users can access the west end of the trail from the Minnesota Avenue Station on Metro's Orange Line, and the Capitol Heights Station on the Bile and Silver Lines near the trail's east end. See the website for the Metro subway system for more information.
Found this trail geocaching. It’s paved and beautiful view of a part of the city I had not seen.
Me and my son ride this trail to get from Capitol heights metro to Minnesota/Nannie Hellen corner.. it has about 4 or 5 crosswalks lol
Very nice and well maintained trail lined parallel by a creek for most of the ride that hugs multiple DC neighborhoods. Plenty of access points to the trails so you don't feel boxed in. Last night a pretty strong storm came through DC so there was some debris and one downed tree that made the ride a little tricky, but I don't blame the trail or mother nature ha. Short 4-miles, so super family friendly. Enjoy!
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