Canal Park occupies the site of the historic Washington City Canal, which from 1815 to 1850 connected the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers via the National Mall. In the early 1900's, the canal was paved over to create Canal Street, whose ownership was transferred to the DC government and used for several interim purposes, including a parking lot for school buses. In 2000, developer WC Smith secured the site to oversee development of the park, which opened in 2012 with elements reminiscent of the Washington Canal, including a linear rain garden and three pavilions that recall once-common floating barges.