U.S. Park Police Stables

U.S. Park Police Horse Stables

National Park Service photo by Nathan Adams

Quick Facts

Amenities

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Accessible Sites, Captioned Media, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present

The United States Park Police Horse Stables on the National Mall represents both a functional hub for one of the nation’s oldest mounted law-enforcement units and a public gateway to engage with the history of these iconic equine officers. The U.S. Park Police Mounted Unit was established in 1934 with a single rented horse and grew into a nationally respected force valued for protecting visitors, managing large crowds, and maintaining a visible, approachable presence across the Mall and other federal parks. The horses, trained to navigate crowds and urban environments with calm discipline, became beloved figures embodying a long tradition of public service.

For decades, the horses were housed in a modest 1976 wooden stable near the Korean War Veterans Memorial. Originally intended as temporary, it continued to serve the unit for decades but became increasingly inadequate. In response, the Trust for the National Mall, in partnership with the National Park Service and the U.S. Park Police, led a project beginning in 2020 to replace the outdated structure with a modern, purpose-built stables and education center. Fully funded through private philanthropy, the facility emphasizes sustainability, animal welfare, and public accessibility and opened on June 14, 2023, marking a new chapter for the mounted unit on the Mall.

The redesigned stables provide a safe, healthy home with 14 spacious stalls, a medical paddock, heated wash and tack rooms, well-ventilated spaces, and surrounding paddocks for exercise and rest. Sustainable features—including improved stormwater systems, natural ventilation, native landscaping, and energy-efficient design—reflect modern environmental standards. A key addition is the Wells Fargo Education Center, which for the first time welcomes the public into the equestrian operation. Open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., it features interpretive exhibits, videos, artifacts such as saddles and uniforms, and opportunities to view the horses from safe vantage points.

Today, the stables and education center serve a dual purpose: supporting critical law-enforcement operations while providing a unique educational experience. The horses and their mounted officers continue to patrol and safeguard public spaces with a presence that is both practical and symbolic, reflecting tradition, service, and the enduring partnership between people and animals on the National Mall.