As community-based parks in the Capitol Hill area, the Capitol Hill Parks serve as leisure-time recreation facilities, greenways, and parking areas.

The larger parks, especially Lincoln and Stanton, provide the setting for many special events and First Amendment commemorative activities, which attract thousands of visitors.

An annual wreath-laying activity commemorating the birthday of Mary McLeod Bethune is sponsored by National Capital Parks—East (organized by the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site) and the National Council of Negro Women.

Tours are provided upon request.

Estimated recreation and transient visits to Capitol Hill Parks number from 700,000 to 1 million annually.