Constitution Gardens

Constitution Gardens is a park on the National Mall in Washington DC, covering roughly 50 acres (20 hectares) between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the World War II Memorial. An artificial lake with several paved paths forms the center of the grounds and offers many benches along its shoreline.

The land was reclaimed from the Potomac River in the early 20th century through a dredging project by the Army Corps of Engineers. President Nixon ordered the existing Navy and Munitions Buildings demolished in 1970 to create this green space.

The 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence are honored on a dedicated island within the park's lake. Visitors can cross a small bridge to reach the island and view the granite tablets commemorating each signer.

The park is accessible at any time via Constitution Avenue and offers wide, paved paths connecting to several monuments on the National Mall. Shade from large trees provides relief on hot days, while benches around the lake give opportunities to rest.

The lake attracts ducks and geese in spring, which often search for food among visitors. Some of the large trees along the paths were planted in the 1970s and now provide wide canopies that shield the ground from direct sun.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1976

Address: Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20024

Website: http://nps.gov/coga

GPS coordinates: 38.89083,-77.04444

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29