American University Park, DC Neighborhood Guide

American University Park, DC Neighborhood Guide

American University Park, often called AU Park, sits in Northwest DC between Massachusetts Avenue NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW, just north of the American University campus. Residential streets feature early to mid twentieth century detached houses with tree cover and sidewalks. Neighborhood parks and nearby Tenleytown services support daily life, while Red Line access at Tenleytown AU links the area to the wider region.

Fast Facts

• Location: Northwest DC north of the American University campus and west of Tenleytown

• Main Corridors: Massachusetts Avenue NW for cross town travel, Wisconsin Avenue NW for shops and services, Nebraska Avenue NW for bus routes

• Parks and Recreation: Friendship Recreation Center known as Turtle Park at 45th Street NW and Van Ness Street NW, Fort Bayard Park along 48th Street NW, trail access points toward Glover Archbold Park nearby

• Housing Types: Detached and semi detached houses from the 1910s to 1940s including Colonial Revival, Tudor, Cape Cod, and bungalow styles, limited small multifamily and condo options near Wisconsin Avenue NW

• Transit: Red Line at Tenleytown AU to the east, frequent Metrobus routes on Wisconsin Avenue NW, Massachusetts Avenue NW, and Nebraska Avenue NW, Capital Bikeshare docks on nearby corridors

Overview and History

AU Park developed during the streetcar and early auto eras with a platted grid and house construction concentrated from the 1910s through the 1940s. Proximity to American University shaped nearby services and bus connections on Nebraska Avenue NW and Massachusetts Avenue NW. Today, residents rely on Tenleytown for grocery, pharmacy, and library access while neighborhood parks and recreation sites serve local needs.

Lifestyle and Amenities

Parks and Recreation
Turtle Park includes ball fields, courts, a playground, and a recreation building with posted programs. Fort Bayard Park provides open lawn and paths on the neighborhood’s northern side. Entrances to Glover Archbold Park and Battery Kemble Park are a short drive or bike ride away.

Everyday Errands
Wisconsin Avenue NW and Tenleytown offer grocery stores, pharmacies, fitness, hardware, and the Tenley Friendship Library. Additional services are located at Spring Valley to the south and along Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Dining and Coffee
Restaurants and cafes cluster along Wisconsin Avenue NW in Tenleytown and at Spring Valley. Hours and offerings vary by operator and season.

Housing and Real Estate Snapshot

AU Park is primarily residential with a concentration of detached houses built in the early to mid twentieth century.

• Detached and Semi Detached Houses
  Brick and frame construction with front porches or stoops and rear yards. Many properties include alley or driveway access and garages or parking pads where present.

• Rowhouse and Small Multifamily Pockets
  Limited attached homes and small buildings appear near major corridors, with select condominium options closer to Wisconsin Avenue NW.

If you are weighing a detached house with yard space against a lower maintenance condo near services, Roger can help compare features, fees, and upkeep and match options to budget and timing.

Ask Roger: What fits my budget in AU Park
Share price range and move timeline to receive a tailored list of active and coming soon homes. Email Roger

Transportation and Accessibility

• Metrorail
  Tenleytown AU on the Red Line is the closest station for most addresses. Walking times vary by location and route.

• Bus
  Metrobus operates on Wisconsin Avenue NW, Massachusetts Avenue NW, and Nebraska Avenue NW with connections to Red Line stations and cross town links.

• Biking
  Capital Bikeshare docks sit along Wisconsin Avenue NW and nearby intersections. Neighborhood streets connect to park trails and to bike routes toward the Capital Crescent Trail.

• Driving and Parking
  Major routes include Wisconsin Avenue NW, Massachusetts Avenue NW, and Nebraska Avenue NW. Residential permit parking applies on side streets where posted. Commercial blocks include metered or time limited spaces.

Community Landmarks

• Friendship Recreation Center known as Turtle Park at 45th Street NW and Van Ness Street NW

• Fort Bayard Park near 48th Street NW and Fessenden Street NW

• Tenley Friendship Library on Wisconsin Avenue NW

• American University campus to the south in adjacent Spring Valley

FAQs

1. Where is American University Park in DC
   AU Park is in Northwest DC between Massachusetts Avenue NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW, north of the American University campus and west of Tenleytown.
   
   
2. What types of homes are common in AU Park
   Most residential blocks feature early to mid twentieth century detached and semi detached houses with brick or frame construction. Limited small multifamily and condo options appear near Wisconsin Avenue NW.
   
   
3. How do residents commute from AU Park
   Many use the Red Line at Tenleytown AU. Metrobus runs on Wisconsin Avenue NW, Massachusetts Avenue NW, and Nebraska Avenue NW. Cycling and Capital Bikeshare support short trips to nearby services.
   
   
4. What parks are nearby
   Turtle Park offers fields, courts, and a recreation building. Fort Bayard Park provides open green space. Entrances to Glover Archbold Park and Battery Kemble Park are nearby for trail access.
   
   
5. Where can I handle daily errands
   Grocery, pharmacies, fitness, hardware, and the Tenley Friendship Library are located along Wisconsin Avenue NW in Tenleytown. Additional services are found at Spring Valley and along Massachusetts Avenue NW.

Roger Taylor
m: 202.679.1750
[email protected]