The revitalization of historic Franklin Park in downtown Washington, D.C., is the first-ever joint venture between the National Park Service (NPS), the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID), and the Department of General Services (DGS). The urban square is the second-largest National Park Service-owned space in the downtown (5-acres) and was created in the 1800s to protect the primary water source serving the White House. The reimagined historic, urban square is designed for inclusion and accessibility, not only for those with physical challenges, but also extending an invitation to participate. As part of the new agreement, the DowntownDC BID will operate, manage, and program events in the revitalized park. This project’s goals begin with inclusion and engagement of the breadth of constituency, including the unhomed who identify the park as part of their living experience. Additional goals include providing improved environmental function, and the introduction of new, programmable spaces, while celebrating the history of water on the site. Improvements to the park include a re-imagined historic fountain with new engaged expressions of water, improved seating, urban reforestation, on-site stormwater management, a natural play area, a green roof pavilion created in partnership with STUDIOS Architecture, as well as widened pathways and universal accessibility across a 20’ grade change.
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