Planning for the Historic Green Triangle
Farragut and McPherson Squares are prominent park destinations that bridge Downtown DC and the National Mall. Walking distance to destinations like the White House and accessible by public transit, the area is rich with restaurants, shops, and are key cultural resources for a vibrant downtown. In addition to the squares, Vermont and Connecticut Avenues represent the convergence of streets and parks near the White House envisioned by the L’Enfant Plan for DC.
The name Historic Green Triangle draws from the Downtown Action Plan, which called for the revitalization of these key places just north of the White House to support the revival of DC's Downtown. The Office of Planning's Downtown Public Realm Plan also recommended public space improvement projects for corridors within the Historic Green Triangle: I Street, Connecticut Avenue between Farragut and Lafayette Squares, and Vermont Avenue. The plan called for enhancements to the streets and public parks to prioritize gathering, comfort, commemoration, and commerce.
Design Workshop
In 2024, four landscape architecture firms were selected to participate in a design workshop facilitated by the American Society of Landscape Architects and the Office of Planning. Participating partners included the Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development, the National Capital Planning Commission, National Park Service, the Golden Triangle BID, and the DowntownDC BID. Design teams from LandDesign, PWP Landscape Architecture, Sasaki, and SWA/Balsley were asked to consider:
- Current and new downtown residents
- Balancing contemporary needs with historic significance of parks
- Connecting the White House to the rest of downtown
- Opportunities for commerce and recreation
- Resiliency in public space
Highlights from the design workshop are included in the linked presentation.