Kalorama Park
our Plan to revitalize the park
Reservations 303A and B (the National Park Service site at the corner of Connecticut Avenue NW and Kalorama Road) is an urban oasis that is part of the beautification plan for the city and park envisioned by Lady Bird Johnson in the middle of the 20th century. Rock Creek Conservancy welcomes the opportunity to work with neighbors to revitalize this gem.
Given constrained National Park Service budgets, revitalization of this space will require a public-private partnership. Rock Creek Conservancy, as friends group (philanthropic partner) to Rock Creek Park, can facilitate donations to a restricted fund to support the restoration of the site and ongoing maintenance.
The National Park Service is preparing for the restoration of the damaged benches along Connecticut Avenue NW (near the bus shelter), and expects to receive funding to replace the fencing along the north side of the circle. Community support would restore the landscaping features per the Lady Bird Johnson plan and maintain this vibrant space.
The plan to the right is circa 1965, in the style inspired by Lady Bird Johnson’s vision of colorful plantings with native species. The Conservancy, with community support, has begun to restore the planting bed with approximately 500 daffodils and 125 hardy perennials (a mix of coneflower and asters). The perennials would mature after the daffodils fade, providing consistent color throughout the seasons and enhancing the connection to the native plants found in Rock Creek Park's more natural areas.
restoration in progress!
The Conservancy replaced the shrubs behind the northwest-facing benches in spring 2022, following the 1965 planting plan. Next steps will replace shrubs on other sides of the circle.
With support from neighbors, the Conservancy will engage a maintenance team to trim shrubs, water plants, replace lost bulbs and perennials, and identify needed repairs in future years.
Rock Creek Conservancy has created a dedicated fund to manage the funds for the project. All contributions to the Conservancy are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
In 2022, the Conservancy removed the overgrown shrubs from the three planting areas around the circle and planted native shrubs such as azaleas.
In summer 2021, the Conservancy engaged landscapers to establish the planting bed and added colorful petunias. Daffodils and perennials replaced those annuals in the fall.