A brand-new garden in one of DC's poorest areas, Anacostia, opens to the public on Friday, November 16. Designed by The OLIN Studio, Canal Park was once part of the city's historic Washington City Canal, which connected the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. It was paved over more than 100 years ago and in recent years was a parking lot for school buses.
Located on the Capitol Riverfront, the three-block site is near the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, the Washington Navy Yard, the US Dept of Transportation, and much new development in the mixed-use community.
Canal Park features a linear rain garden that recalls the old canal and its floating barges. It includes an interactive fountain, performance areas, sculptures, a cafe with outdoor seating, an ice rink in winter. The park will host numerous events each year, including farmers' markets, festivals, movies and concerts, art shows and eductional programs.
The park was designed with sustainable features, including native plants, reclaimed or sustainably harvested wood, geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs, low-flush toilets and fixtures, and much more. Steve Benz, OLIN partner & Director of Green Infrastructure, says "Canal Park is a unique place that delivers an artful assembly of social, economic and environmental performance. As a successful social space, people can enjoy the re-established natural systems previously lost to development while providing an economic stimulus for the surrounding area."
Seems like the park will be extremely popular. For more on its development, see the video here.
WOW! One thing for sure from the way what I've learn on this article I’ll surely pack my bags and take off to go here because I’d been dying to go in this place… Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Stella Anderson | November 23, 2012 at 03:18 AM
Nice posting! The popularity of the park is depend on the design of it which should be beautiful and at same time clarity of the concept is also important.
Posted by: Exhibit Design Services | November 20, 2012 at 11:21 PM