New water fountains are coming to the Mount Vernon Trail thanks to a $475,000 grant from the National Park Foundation. The new fountains will have water bottle fillers and remain operational year-round. The Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail were able to offer $40,000 in matching funds to strengthen the grant proposal thanks to the investment of many donors.

The grant funds and the contribution from the Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail are expected to fund seven new water fountains, said Friends president Judd Isbell. Mount Vernon Trail water fountains that will be replaced are at the rest areas at Mount Vernon Estate, Fort Hunt, Belle Haven Park, Jones Point Park and Theodore Roosevelt Island. The other two fountains will be placed at Theodore Roosevelt Island restroom and at the Great Falls Visitor Center, Isbell said.

To make it happen, other local groups helped too. The Friends of Dyke Marsh, obtained a letter of support from 14 local organizations for the water fountain replacement grant and ALX Dog Walk,” provided support towards the grant’s matching funds.