Pavilion/restaurant-cafe
A large, light-soaked pavilion with outdoor café seating on the southern block adjacent to the ice skating path will serve meals throughout the day. The pavilion will demonstrate innovative green building and renewable energy systems.

Ice skating
During the winter, an ice path will meander through the park recalling the frozen canals of northern Europe and perhaps the Washington Canal itself, as historical records suggest that ice skating occured on Tiber Creek in winter during the 19th century. Skaters can rest in the Pavilion and sip hotchocolate while watching other skaters pass by.

Water features
Canal Park will have several water features/ fountains. Visitors can relax next to the sound of moving water, and children can run through interactive water jets.

Sculpture
Public sculpture will enrich and elevate the experience of visiting the park.

Child/family features
Canal Park will be a destination for the whole family with activities such as ice skating in winter, enjoying a meal at the pavilion/café, jumping through the water fountains, playing with/on interactive sculpture and in the park's flexible spaces with park-provided toys and games.

Renewable energy
With solar-powered LED street lamps and photovoltaic panels on the Park's roof surfaces and adjacent buildings, every effort is being made to provide all or nearly all of the Park's power needs with renewable energy sources.

Storm water management/water reuse
Situated along the west side of the park is a linear rain garden and water collection system. The rain garden filters run-off for reuse as irrigation water. Tree boxes and bio swales will provide filtration for street-level runoff surrounding the Park. A large cistern will collect roof top rain water from surrounding buildings for reuse in irrigation and water features. The pavillion will collect rainwater and greywater for reuse in toilets and for landscape irrigation.

Lawn / Flexible Programmed Space
Flexible spaces throughout the Park, including the large green on the north block, will be used for farmers markets, holiday festivals, art expositions, games, educational and environmental programming, storytelling events and other uses.