Letter
Dear Mr. Hawkins:
In its meeting of 16 March, the Commission of Fine Arts reviewed concept designs for two new green infrastructure parks on Reservations #541 and #577, located along Kansas Avenue at 2nd and Longfellow Streets, NW, and at 3rd and Ingraham Streets, NW. The Commission did not take an action and provided the following comments.
The Commission members expressed strong support for the green infrastructure program, commenting that it presents an opportunity to reimagine public spaces with designs based on ecological performance. However, they observed that the proposed designs appear timid, and crowded with too many elements within a small area. They instead recommended letting the green infrastructure drive the design in each park, expressed in clear and visible ways to create a bold statement and to reduce the need for below-grade infrastructure. For example, they suggested that the park landscape could be designed as a single large rain garden, planted with a tree canopy and an understory of plants tolerant of wet conditions, reserving the center as the primary gathering space for use by the community. They emphasized that such designs could educate the public about water ecology while also being adaptable to future climatic changes, such as higher average rainfalls and increased storm intensities.
The Commission looks forward to further review of the designs of these important installations within the green infrastructure program. As always, the staff is available to assist you in developing your next submission.
Sincerely,
/s/Thomas E. Luebke, FAIA
Secretary
George S. Hawkins, General Manager
DC Water
5000 Overlook Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20032
cc: Bethany Bezak, DC Water