Bartholdi Park, Botanical garden in Capitol Complex, Washington, D.C., United States
Bartholdi Park is a two-acre garden near Independence Avenue that demonstrates sustainable landscaping with native plants from the mid-Atlantic region. Ten rain gardens throughout the grounds capture and filter rainfall, showing how water can be managed thoughtfully in an urban setting.
The park was created in 1932 as part of the United States Botanic Garden complex. Its central fountain had been purchased by the government decades earlier in 1877 and was eventually placed here.
The park takes its name from French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, who designed the fountain at its heart. Visitors today come to walk among the plants and enjoy the water feature as a quiet spot in the city.
The park is easy to navigate on foot with flat pathways throughout the grounds and clear views of all the rain gardens. Visit during drier weather if you want the most comfortable walking experience.
The park received an environmental certification in 2016 for its innovative approach to water management and sustainability. This recognition marked it as a pioneering project in applying these techniques to an urban garden setting in the nation's capital.
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