Visit Chevy Chase Community Center: Activities, Hours & Reservations
Chevy Chase Community Center is a three-story recreation facility operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) at 5601 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015. It offers arts and recreation spaces, activities for children and adults, senior programs, an outdoor basketball court and a playground.
This guide explains which hours apply, how to find a class, who can use the facilities and how to request a room for a meeting or event.
Visitor information reviewed October 23, 2026. Class hours, permits, fees and scheduled activities may change.
Chevy Chase Community Center Opening Hours
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation publishes different opening times for the school year and summer.
| Day | School year | Summer |
|---|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 9:00 AM–9:00 PM | 8:00 AM–9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM | 9:00 AM–5:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed | Closed |
District holidays, maintenance, emergency closures and special programming may change access. For an activity-specific visit, contact the center before traveling.
Programs and Amenities Available
Chevy Chase is particularly useful for arts, creative workshops, family programs and neighborhood recreation. It is not simply a gym with unrestricted access to every activity room.
The dedicated dance/ballet studio supports scheduled movement, dance and recreation classes. Instructor, age range and class fees depend on the current program.
Art rooms and the pottery studio provide space for creative instruction. Verify enrollment, materials and availability before attending.
The three-story facility includes a dedicated fencing area. Specific classes may require advance registration and equipment instructions.
The community center has a woodworking shop and a darkroom. These are specialized areas, not automatically open for unsupervised public use.
An auditorium, classroom and two multipurpose rooms support approved recreation activities and community gatherings.
The grounds include an outdoor basketball court and children’s playground. Availability may be affected by scheduled events or maintenance.
Visitors comparing art-oriented recreation facilities can also review the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center arts and rental guide in nearby Fairfax, Virginia. It is a separate municipal venue with its own policies and costs.
Children’s Programs: Cooperative Play and Youth Activities
DC DPR lists Chevy Chase Community Center as a location for Cooperative Play, an early-childhood recreation program involving caregivers.
| Program detail | Published information |
|---|---|
| Program | DPR Cooperative Play (Co-op) |
| Age group | 18 months–4 years, divided into age-based groups |
| General program hours | Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM |
| Location | Chevy Chase Community Center |
| Program email | kidscampsandcoop@dc.gov |
Enrollment, fees, caregiver participation requirements and vacancies depend on the current session. The younger and older Co-op groups may not use identical registration arrangements.
How to Check Cooperative Play Enrollment
- Confirm your child’s age for the relevant session.
- Check the current DPR Cooperative Play program information.
- Find Chevy Chase among the participating locations.
- Review the current program calendar, fees, caregiver duties and space availability.
- Register through the official DPR system when enrollment is available.
- Save confirmation and ask which forms or supplies are required on the first day.
Senior Programs, Wellness & Social Activities
Chevy Chase Community Center also hosts activities for older residents. Offerings depend on the season, available instructors and the official DPR registration calendar.
A 2026 DPR listing identifies a Senior Day Program at Chevy Chase for eligible participants ages 55–99, with sessions scheduled Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM. The published resident program fee for that listing is $0.
Other community activities, including Tai Chi and Qi Gong, have appeared in local or DPR event listings. Treat these as scheduled classes rather than guaranteed daily drop-in services.
How to Join an Older-Adult Activity
- Open the DPR registration system.
- Search for Chevy Chase Community Center or your chosen activity.
- Verify the eligible age range, dates, fee and exact room.
- Complete registration if a space is offered.
- Keep your confirmation and review holiday cancellations.
Is Chevy Chase Community Center Free?
DC DPR states that District residents can use recreation and fitness centers without a general membership fee when they meet the applicable account requirements. Nonresidents may need to purchase a pass or membership.
| Activity or service | Cost guidance |
|---|---|
| General DPR recreation center access | Free for eligible DC residents with a DPR account |
| Specialty classes | Fees, registration and materials vary by program |
| Senior Day Program | The identified 2026 resident listing shows $0 |
| Room rental | Permit and rental charges depend on space, date and use |
| Nonresident access | Membership or pass charges may apply |
| Playground | No separate playground admission charge published |
For a different municipal recreation model with a published room and activity fee structure, see our Southeast Community Center fitness and rental fee guide. Southeast is in Nashville, Tennessee; its fees do not apply in Washington, DC.
Room Rentals: Auditorium, Classrooms & Multipurpose Rooms
Chevy Chase Community Center has several indoor spaces potentially relevant to permitted community activities, including an auditorium, classroom and multipurpose rooms.
However, the physical presence of a room does not mean it is currently available for private rental. DPR permits depend on facility schedules, program needs, approved activities, season and staffing.
Useful to ask about for meetings, workshops and eligible community events. Confirm availability, seating and current capacity with DPR.
May support approved larger gatherings and activities. Capacity, equipment and rental permissions must be confirmed.
Ask about structured classes, education sessions and meetings requiring smaller spaces.
Dance, pottery, woodworking and similar rooms may require staff review and cannot be assumed bookable for private events.
What Does a Chevy Chase Room Rental Cost?
A current Chevy Chase-specific public price sheet was not confirmed. DPR’s general permitting system may display charges for eligible spaces, but actual prices can depend on reservation type, renter eligibility and additional equipment.
Do not budget from another DC community center’s rate. Search for the precise facility and room in the official permit portal, then confirm the total before payment.
For comparison only, the Seven Trees Community Center rental guide explains how another city’s published room capacities, deposits and hourly rates work. San José’s rules are separate from DPR’s permitting system.
How to Reserve a Room Through DC DPR
DPR publishes an online facility reservation process. This is the appropriate starting point for checking space availability and requesting a permit.
Use the official DPR recreation and permitting system. Customers may search spaces without logging in, but need an account to make reservations.
Select the facility reservation area, then choose the room or park-site reservation option.
Filter for Chevy Chase Community Center, the facility type, intended date and number of participants.
Choose the requested period and include all setup and cleanup time required by the event.
Provide the headcount, event description and any additional details requested by DPR. Accept applicable rules and waivers.
Pay if immediate purchase is supported. A request-type permit may show a zero balance while awaiting staff review.
The linked permitting guide is an older DPR instructional document. Follow the current portal and the permit conditions issued for your event if instructions have changed.
What to Ask Before Applying
- Is the particular room currently available for private use?
- What are the approved capacity and minimum rental time?
- What is the complete fee, including staffing or equipment?
- Are food, outside vendors, decorations or amplified sound permitted?
- Is insurance or another special permit required?
- When does a reservation become confirmed?
- What cancellation or refund terms apply?
- Is setup and cleanup included in booked time?
Visitors researching rentable cultural or community event venues in the wider Washington metropolitan region can compare the Sherwood Community Center’s event-space options in Fairfax. That facility is operated by a different city and has its own reservation system.
Playground, Outdoor Basketball & Family Visits
The outdoor area includes a playground and basketball court. DPR’s playground information identifies a fully enclosed playground primarily aimed at children ages 2–5.
| Playground feature | Officially listed detail |
|---|---|
| Primary age range | 2–5 years |
| Surface | Poured-in-place rubber |
| Enclosure | Fully enclosed |
| Shade | Minimal |
| Activities | Climbing, sliding, rocking and imaginative play |
| Parking | Lot parking identified |
The basketball court may be occupied by organized recreation or other users. Check the posted rules before planning a group game.
Parking, Metro, Bus & Directions
Chevy Chase Community Center is on Connecticut Avenue NW in DC’s Chevy Chase neighborhood, near the Chevy Chase Neighborhood Library and McKinley Street NW.
| Address | 5601 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015 |
|---|---|
| Ward | Ward 3 |
| Parking | DPR confirms parking is available; the Cooperative Play program identifies a parking lot at the center. |
| Metro | DPR’s center page lists Van Ness–UDC on the Red Line as the nearest station. It is not immediately beside the center. |
| Bus | The DPR playground PDF identifies C83 and D70, with E4 and L2 shown as older route references. Check the current WMATA timetable. |
| Accessibility | Ask staff about the accessible entrance, floor access and accommodations needed for your specific activity. |
Location Map
2026 Redevelopment: What Visitors Should Know
The Chevy Chase Civic Site is part of a larger redevelopment plan involving a replacement community center, a new neighborhood library and housing.
In May 2026, DC Public Library announced design planning for a new 21,600-square-foot community center and 23,500-square-foot library, alongside housing and improved public spaces.
The existing community center’s published DPR listing remains an important source of visitor hours and contact information. A planned facility should not be confused with amenities currently open to the public.
Which Visit Are You Planning?
| Your purpose | What to do first |
|---|---|
| Visit the playground | Confirm weather, supervision and any closure notices. |
| Enroll a child | Check current Co-op or youth-program age requirements and registration. |
| Join a dance or art class | Find the specific class schedule, fee and room. |
| Attend senior activities | Confirm age eligibility, current dates and registration availability. |
| Play basketball | Check court rules and scheduled use. |
| Rent a meeting room | Verify permit availability, capacity, costs and approval requirements. |
| Use an accessible space | Call the center and describe the activity and access assistance needed. |
Before You Leave Home
- Check school-year versus summer hours.
- Use the Connecticut Avenue NW address, not the similarly named Pennsylvania facility.
- Confirm class enrollment before attending.
- Bring any required participant identification or registration details.
- For Co-op, check caregiver participation and child eligibility.
- For a rental, obtain a permit and confirmation.
- For the playground, prepare for limited shade.
- For public transit, review current WMATA routes.
- Check redevelopment or temporary relocation notices.
Other Community Center Guides Worth Comparing
Different communities operate their facilities in different ways. For instance, BCYF Curley Community Center’s membership guide covers a Boston municipal facility with fitness and wellness programs, while Seven Trees’ youth-program and recreation overview covers a San José facility that combines library and recreation services. Neither follows DC DPR’s registration or rental policies.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Chevy Chase Community Center located?
Chevy Chase Community Center is at 5601 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20015, in Ward 3. It is operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation.
2. What are Chevy Chase Community Center’s hours?
School-year hours are Monday–Friday 9 AM–9 PM and Saturday 9 AM–5 PM. Summer hours are Monday–Friday 8 AM–9 PM and Saturday 9 AM–5 PM. The center is closed Sunday.
3. What is the Chevy Chase Community Center phone number?
DPR’s current facility listing provides 202-679-3251. For general DPR inquiries, email dpr@dc.gov.
4. Is Chevy Chase Community Center free for DC residents?
Eligible DC residents can use DPR recreation and fitness centers without a general membership fee when they meet account requirements. Specific classes, camps, special activities and rental reservations may have separate fees.
5. Does Chevy Chase Community Center offer children’s programs?
Yes. DPR lists Chevy Chase as a Cooperative Play location for children aged 18 months to 4 years, divided into age groups. Other youth programming may vary by season.
6. Does Chevy Chase Community Center offer senior activities?
Yes. A 2026 DPR listing identifies a Senior Day Program for eligible adults ages 55–99. Other scheduled activities have included Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Confirm current session availability.
7. Can I rent a room at Chevy Chase Community Center?
DPR manages facility and room permitting, but availability at Chevy Chase depends on the specific room, season and approved use. Search the official permit portal and confirm the space can be reserved.
8. Does Chevy Chase Community Center have parking?
Yes. DPR lists parking as available, and its Cooperative Play information identifies a parking lot at Chevy Chase Community Center. Spaces are subject to availability.
9. Is there a playground at Chevy Chase Community Center?
Yes. The official playground guide describes a fully enclosed playground primarily for children ages 2–5, with a rubber surface, climbing and sliding features, and limited shade.
10. Is Chevy Chase Community Center being redeveloped?
Yes. DC government agencies are planning a redesigned Chevy Chase Civic Site with a new community center, library and housing. The May 2026 update describes the project as being in design and community planning; proposed amenities should not be treated as currently available.
Official Information & Final Actions
These primary sources are useful for verifying updates and completing the next step.
This is an independent visitor guide, not a DC government reservation service. Fees, programs, schedules, redevelopment plans and permit availability may change.