Tara Morrison, new Superintendent of Anacostia Park

"I've dedicated my career to urban parks, and I have seen first-hand and believe in their power to improve people's lives and well-being," Morrison said.

Tara Morrison will take over as Superintendent of National Capital Parks–East on December 7. She will be responsible for Anacostia Park, historic homes (Frederick Douglass, Mary McLeod Bethune and Carter G. Woodson), the Fort Circle parks, and several other parks in DC and Maryland.

According to the release announcing her appointment, New Superintendent Named for Anacostia Park, Historic Homes and Capitol Hill Parks, Morrison will be joined by two new staff focused on Anacostia Park, a Project Executive for the Anacostia and a Senior Project Manager. The former will move forward Anacostia Park projects, partnerships, and initiatives. The latter will focus on cleaning five contaminated sites along the Anacostia River and will work closely with DC's Department of Energy and the Environment.

“Superintendent Morrison brings to National Capital Parks East a reputation of working effectively with park partners” noted Anacostia Waterfront Trust Executive Director Doug Siglin. “We look forward to working closely with her for many years to make the Anacostia Park truly a special place for all DC, but particularly for people who live east of the Anacostia River.”

Morrison joined the National Park Service in 1998. She is not new to DC. Since 2011, Morrison has been Superintendent of Rock Creek Park. Throughout her NPS career, Morrison has engaged with community in a variety of ways.  She has, for example, worked closely with the public during the creation of the African Burial Ground Visitor Center's first general management plan to ensure that the community was actively engaged in the process.

Morrison attended Northeastern University and received a B.S. in African American studies. She pursued graduate studies in anthropology at the University of South Carolina.

Morrison's current contact information is Tara_Morrison@nps.gov and (202) 895-6004. Starting December 7, her phone number will be (202) 690-5185.

Morrison is taking the place of Gopaul Noojibail; Noojibail has moved to Wyoming to serve as Deputy Superintendent at Grand Teton National Park. (See Gopaul Noojibail Selected as Deputy Superintendent)