Plan Your Visit to Emery Heights: Hours, Fitness, Playground & Programs
Emery Heights Community Center is a two-story public recreation facility operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Located along Georgia Avenue NW in Ward 4, it offers indoor fitness and recreation areas, outdoor play spaces, youth programs, summer camps, senior programming and reservable facilities.
Whether you are bringing your children to the playground, looking for an affordable fitness center, checking community activities or planning an event, the details below will help you organize your visit.
Washington, DC 20011
Call to confirm activities and availability.
DC Department of Parks and Recreation
Reviewed October 23, 2026. School-year hours are provided below; summer schedules, holidays and individual program hours can differ.
Emery Heights Community Center Hours
DPR currently publishes the following school-year operating hours for Emery Heights.
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Friday | 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Sunday | 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM |
A listed building opening time does not guarantee that the gym, fitness equipment, turf field or any individual activity is available throughout that period. Classes, maintenance and permitted events can affect access.
Best approach: If you need one specific facility, call (202) 576-3211 before leaving.
Facilities & Activities at Emery Heights
Space for recreation and sports activities. Check the open-gym schedule, age restrictions and any reserved-use periods.
Exercise equipment and fitness access for eligible participants. DC residents can use DPR fitness centers free with an appropriate DPR account.
Flexible indoor rooms used for recreation activities, meetings and other approved programming or permitted uses.
Outdoor recreational space for field activities and organized use, subject to field schedules and permitting requirements.
An enclosed play area with separate equipment suited to younger and older children.
DPR identifies athletics, personal enrichment, youth camps and senior programming as activities associated with the center.
Emery Heights Playground: Detailed Family Guide
The DC Department of Parks and Recreation publishes a dedicated playground information sheet for Emery Heights. The play area is located at the community center site on Georgia Avenue NW.
The playground has a play structure intended for children ages 2 through 5, with opportunities for climbing, sliding and imaginative activities.
A separate structure serves ages 5 through 12, including more extensive climbing and slide experiences.
| Playground Feature | What Families Should Know |
|---|---|
| Enclosure | Completely enclosed playground |
| Play surfaces | Poured-in-place rubber and artificial turf |
| Shade | Partial tree shade |
| Special equipment | Hillside slides and activity panels |
| Activity types | Sliding, climbing, swinging, rocking, spinning and imaginative play |
| Nearby amenities | Basketball area, multipurpose field and outdoor fitness equipment |
| Parking | Small onsite lot |
For the playground layout and details, see the official Emery Heights playground information PDF.
Does Emery Heights Have Free Fitness Access?
Yes, for eligible DC residents. The DC Department of Parks and Recreation states that recreation centers and fitness centers are free to District residents who have a DPR account.
Non-DC residents may use participating facilities with the appropriate purchased pass or membership. The applicable price depends on the current DPR pass schedule rather than a universal Emery Heights admission fee.
DPR fitness-center access is free with a valid DPR account and confirmed District residency. Individual classes or special programs may have separate enrollment rules.
A pass or membership may be required. Review the current DPR membership options and verify the facility’s participation before buying.
How to Get Your DPR Account Ready
Go to dpr.dc.gov/page/dpr-account.
Follow the current account registration link. Keep your email address and household information accurate.
For children, enter the correct birth dates and household details so age-based programs can be identified.
Use a DC driver’s license or DC non-driver identification card where accepted. If you do not have either, DPR provides alternative identity and residency document lists.
Contact Emery Heights before your first fitness visit to confirm check-in procedures, equipment access and any age-specific supervision requirements.
Emery Heights Programs: Youth, Adults & Seniors
Emery Heights serves a broad age range. DPR’s facility description identifies programs extending from toddler activities through older-adult recreation.
Seasonal athletic programs, gym activities and opportunities for younger participants. Specific sports and age groups change with registration seasons.
Emery Heights has appeared as a DPR summer camp location. Camp offerings, ages, availability and prices must be checked for the relevant year.
Community-focused educational, recreation and enrichment programming. Availability depends on the current schedule.
Exercise and recreational activities where listed in the current DPR program catalog.
Older-adult social, wellness and recreation activities. Call for the current schedule and eligibility requirements.
Age-appropriate recreation and community activities, depending on seasonal DPR programming.
How to Register for a DPR Program
Visit DPRprograms.com, the program discovery website referenced by DPR.
Select the appropriate youth, adult, senior or other category.
Filter or search by location. If the center is absent from results, check again during the next enrollment season or contact staff.
Check the program name, age requirement, date, time, capacity, fee, residency restrictions and necessary equipment.
Use the official DPR registration system, add the participant to the selected activity and complete any checkout steps.
Keep the DPR registration receipt and note the first session date and exact location.
How to Get to Emery Heights Community Center
Address: 5701 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011, near Madison Street NW.
| Transportation | Visitor Information |
|---|---|
| By car | Use 5701 Georgia Avenue NW in your navigation system. A small parking lot is available, but spaces may be limited. |
| By Metrorail | DPR identifies Georgia Ave–Petworth as the nearest Metro station in its general facility description. It is not immediately beside the center; allow for onward bus or walking travel. |
| By Metrobus | The playground information sheet identifies D40 and D4X as nearby bus lines. Transit routes may change, so confirm your journey with WMATA. |
| Walking | The facility is on Georgia Avenue NW. Use pedestrian crossings and allow additional time when accompanying children. |
Renting Emery Heights Rooms, Field & Event Space
Emery Heights has multipurpose rooms and a multipurpose turf field that may be reserved for eligible activities, subject to DPR schedules and permit requirements. Gymnasium use for an organized event may also require a permit.
DPR generally requires a permit for organized activities involving 10 or more participants. One-time permitted uses should normally be submitted at least 30 calendar days before the planned activity.
How to Apply for a Facility Permit
Visit How to Apply for a Permit and review the current handbook, deadlines, fees and allowable uses.
A DPR account is required to submit the reservation or permit request.
Use the official reservation portal and select the room, park site, gymnasium or athletic space category appropriate to your activity.
Choose Emery Heights Community Center, then enter your intended date, expected attendance and needed time period.
Review any displayed reservation options, facility rules and required setup or cleanup time.
Provide a truthful description of your activity, agree to required policies, and upload any documents requested for your event.
Complete any required payment or permit request process. A request is not a confirmed permit simply because it was submitted.
Permit Timing & Fees
Room fees depend on the type of space, residency, permitted use, season and any applicable concessions. The amount displayed by the official DPR reservation system should be checked before payment.
For an example, the official 2026 reservation listing for Emery Park Site (not at Playground) showed:
| 2026 Park-Site Listing | Details |
|---|---|
| Resident price | $50 per hour |
| Nonresident price | $75 per hour |
| Maximum attendance | 75 people |
| Deposit | 40% |
| Advance request | At least 14 days |
| 2026 season | March 21 – November 28, 2026 |
DPR Permit Office: (202) 671-2597
Accessibility, Weather & Visitor Planning
DPR offers reasonable accommodation support for people with disabilities. If your visit requires an accessible entrance, parking, adaptive participation, program accommodation or another specific arrangement, contact the center or DPR Customer Service ahead of time.
DPR Customer Care: (202) 673-7647
- Choose age-appropriate playground equipment.
- Bring water and weather-appropriate clothing.
- Check the weather and playground condition.
- Supervise young children during play.
- Ask whether indoor activities require registration.
- Confirm current open-gym or fitness access.
- Set up your DPR account if needed.
- Ask about age or supervision requirements.
- Bring suitable athletic clothing and shoes.
- Check whether courts or rooms are reserved.
A Simple First-Visit Plan
- Check your purpose: playground, fitness center, gym, field, class, camp or rental.
- Review hours: use the current school-year schedule and check for any seasonal change.
- Prepare registration: create or update your DPR account if using fitness access or an enrolled program.
- Call if necessary: confirm the activity or amenity you need is available that day.
- Travel to 5701 Georgia Avenue NW: allow extra time for limited parking or transit connections.
- Check in with staff: ask for the relevant activity room, gym, field or playground entrance.
For a family playground visit, focus on safe play and suitable weather. For scheduled classes, gym access or group events, prioritize enrollment and availability confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Emery Heights Community Center located?
Emery Heights Community Center is at 5701 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20011, in Ward 4. The direct phone number is (202) 576-3211.
2. What are Emery Heights Community Center’s hours?
DPR’s current school-year schedule lists Monday through Thursday 6 AM–9 PM, Friday 6 AM–11 PM, Saturday 9 AM–11 PM and Sunday noon–4 PM. Summer schedules, holidays and individual activities may have different hours.
3. Is Emery Heights Community Center free to use?
DC residents with a verified DPR account can access eligible DPR recreation and fitness facilities for free. Some programs and permitted uses may charge fees. Nonresidents may need to purchase a membership or pass.
4. Does Emery Heights Community Center have a gym?
Yes. The facility includes an indoor gymnasium and fitness center. Specific open-gym hours, equipment access and age requirements should be confirmed with center staff.
5. Does Emery Heights have a children’s playground?
Yes. The center has an enclosed playground with play structures intended for ages 2–5 and 5–12. It includes rubber and artificial-turf surfaces, climbing activities, hillside slides and partial tree shade.
6. What programs are available at Emery Heights?
DPR identifies athletics, personal enrichment, summer camps and senior programming at Emery Heights. Current classes, age requirements and openings vary by season and should be checked through DPR’s program catalog.
7. Can I rent Emery Heights Community Center for an event?
Yes. Eligible multipurpose rooms and outdoor facilities can be requested through the DC Department of Parks and Recreation permitting process. Availability, fees, permitted activities and required notice depend on the specific space.
8. Is parking available at Emery Heights?
Yes. DPR lists a small parking lot at Emery Heights. Spaces may be limited, particularly during scheduled activities. Nearby transit is another option.
9. What Metro or bus services are near Emery Heights?
DPR identifies Georgia Ave–Petworth as the nearest Metrorail station on its facility page. Its playground information sheet also lists the D40 and D4X bus lines. Check WMATA for current routing and travel times.
10. How do I register for an Emery Heights program?
Open the DPR program catalog, choose the appropriate age group, search for Emery Heights, review the specific class details, then sign in to your DPR account and complete registration. Save the receipt or confirmation.
Official Resources & References
This independent guide is not operated by the DC Department of Parks and Recreation. Schedules, fees, program availability and permit requirements can change. Contact DPR for official confirmation.