DC park closed after discovery of WWI-era munitions

Part of a Washington, D.C., park remains closed following the discovery of World War I-era munitions earlier this year.

“Based on investigations to date, the [National Park Service] and the Army have determined it is possible Fort Totten Park contains additional munitions,” the National Park Service (NPS), which manages the park, said in a release Thursday.

“The two metal canisters, found April 18, were discovered in the park after unauthorized work conducted by an adjacent property owner pushed approximately 10 feet of soil onto NPS land,” the park service continued.

According to the NPS, one of the munitions was a 75-millimeter projectile that was approximately 3 inches in diameter and 11 inches long. The other was a Livens projectile, a mortar-like weapon measuring approximately 6 inches in diameter and 19 inches long.

“Initial assessment by Army experts indicated the 75-mm projectile did not pose a hazard and the Livens projectile contained an unknown liquid,” the release continued. “After initial assessment, the items were transported to a nearby secure Federal facility. Both items were evaluated by the Army’s Materiel Assessment Review Board.”

The NPS said “additional testing indicated that the Livens did not pose a hazard.”

Fort Totten Park is located in northeast D.C., near the Maryland border, and is the site of a Civil War fort.

The NPS revealed the munition discovery the munition discovery in April, noting that it previously discovered an empty WWI-era metal canister from an unknown source in another part of the park in 2020.

The park service said Thursday it is working with the Army to try to get funding for a “comprehensive investigation” at Fort Totten.

“The safety of visitors and the community are of the utmost importance to the NPS and the Army,” the release said. “As such, the park will remain closed. It is important to stay out of the area while it remains closed. If you believe that you have encountered a munition, you should consider it dangerous.”

“Learn and follow the 3Rs of explosives safety: Recognize—when you may have encountered a munition and the potential danger; Retreat—do not approach, touch, move or disturb it; Report—call 911 and notify local law enforcement of what you saw and where you saw it,” it added.