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Contact: Mike Litterst, 202-245-4676 Washington –The National Park Service, in cooperation with the National Capital Planning Commission, the District of Columbia, and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, is accepting comments from the public on alternatives to revitalize Franklin Park, located between 13th and 14th Street NW, and K and I Streets NW.The project would turn Franklin Park into one of the nation's premier urban parks, enhancing its historic and urban qualities while transforming it into an active, flexible, and sustainable park that is connected to its community. Comments are being accepted through January 9, 2015. The Franklin Park Vision and Transformation Plan Environmental Assessment offers three alternatives which provide a range of revitalization efforts, including increasing recreational opportunities, adding services such as food and restrooms, increasing events and programs, restoring historic resources, enhancing transportation connections, and using a public/private partnership to oversee the long-term maintenance and management of the park. One of the alternatives evaluated is for "no action," which would make no changes to the existing layout, function, or use of Franklin Park.
Franklin Park dates to 1832 and features a central fountain plaza and statue commemorating Commodore John Barry, America's first commissioned naval officer, as well as mature trees, elliptical pathways and benches throughout the park. Currently, the park features are deteriorated, and essential services, such as adequate seating and programming, and recreation are lacking. The current project is needed to address these deficiencies and revitalize the park so that it attracts and better serves all visitors.
How to Comment
The preferred manner for providing comments is via an online form through the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website, used by the agency to manage official correspondence and analyze public comment in the planning process.From the project website (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/FranklinPark), navigate the menu on the left hand side of the page to Document List, then Franklin Park Vision and Transformation Plan Environmental Assessment, then Comment Now.
Comments may also be submitted in writing to:
Bob Vogel, Superintendent
National Mall and Memorial Parks
Attn: Franklin Park EA
900 Ohio Drive SW
Washington, D.C. 20024
Comments must be entered into the website or postmarked by January 9, 2015 to receive consideration. Please be aware that the entire comment submitted –including personal identifying information such as address, phone number, e-mail address –may be made publicly available.Requests to withhold such personal identifying information from public release will be considered, but there is no guarantee that they will be withheld. ml>
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Last updated: April 10, 2015