East Potomac Park / Hains Point

"The Awakening" Sculpture, Hains Point

East Potomac Park contains a public golf course, picnic areas, grassy fields, views of water on three sides, and at the very end of the park, is The Awakening.

The Awakening
"The Awakening" is a 100-foot statue of a giant embedded in the earth, struggling to free himself. It was created by J. Seward Johnson, Jr. and installed at Hains Point (view map) - the southernmost point of East Potomac Park, Washington, DC. 

The statue consists of five separate body parts buried in the ground, giving the impression of a panicked giant body buried up to his neck trying to pull himself out of the ground.  The left hand and right foot barely protrude, while the bent left leg and knee jut into the air. The 17-foot right arm and hand climb above the observer while the scared bearded face, with the mouth in mid-scream, struggles to emerge from the surrounding earth.  Kids love this sculpture, they can climb on it, run around it, and sit on it - and they love its gigantic size!

The statue is located on the southern end of Hains Point just across the Potomac River from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on the west and Ft. McNair on the east.  At times, the Potomac River floods the statue, adding to the eeriness as the giant tries to escape the drowning waters.  The statue was created in 1980 for the International Sculpture Conference Exhibition. It proved so popular, however, that 27 years after the event it still remains, even though the National Park Service admits that the "temporary permit" has long since expired.  There is no metro station nearby, so you are forced to come by automobile.

Running Trail
The Hains Point running route is flat as a pancake, as it traverses south along the the Potomac, into East Potomac Park. This is a good run from which to see National Airport, The Awakening and Jefferson Memorial. The middle four miles are miles 18-22 of the Marine Corps Marathon. Thus this is a good run if you are prepping for that race. This route can be run on both weekdays and weekends.

	Giant arm 17-feet tall is reaching out of the ground			Huge hand poking out of the ground in desperation
				Panic-stricken giant is buried up to his neck
	Kids love climbing on and playing with the sculpture			Giant foot sticking out of the ground
	Child walking on the giant's leg			I guess I never would have thought to go SCUBA diving here...