United States Botanic Garden SITES v2 Case Study 1.22 acres within the SITES project boundary Urban open space, park, and public realm renovation project summary

Bartholdi Park is a landscape are exhilarating. decided to design and construct the demonstration garden tailored The project design replaces some project as a SITES project. Initially to homeowners and showcases fatigued pavement, provides multiple the project was registered as a Pilot innovative plant combinations accessible entry points, reorganizes Project under the 2009 Guidelines. in a variety of styles and design the circulation patterns, and offers a After project construction bids themes. The U.S. Botanic Garden variety of paths, surfaces, geometries exceeded appropriated funds, the Administration Building and the and furniture for users to use the design scope was scaled back to Bartholdi are located in the spaces flexibly. Ten rain gardens include the core triangle of the park park. are located throughout the park to leaving the streetscapes to be done capture, control and filter stormwater by the USBG as separate projects, Created in 1932, when the U.S. as close to the source as possible. following the SITES design. Botanic Garden was relocated, the The vegetable garden is located at The project goals included capture park was renamed in 1985 after the northwest corner and particular and maintain all stormwater, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the attention was paid to making a aesthetically beautiful plantings, sculptor of the historic “Fountain of portion of this garden accessible by ample seating areas, programing Light and Water” located at its center. way of a retaining wall system. space, an edible garden, and Bartholdi Park continues to serve as a sustainable features focusing on demonstration garden where visitors After the legislation and approval for resource conservation. can learn sustainable horticultural the American Veterans Disabled for techniques for home landscapes. The Life Memorial http://www.avdlm.org/ During the 13 month construction plantings will be changed periodically the site was selected in 2001. Around project progress was hampered by to show new plant varieties, design 2009 funding was in place and there excessively cold and wet weather, trends and garden maintenance was a design concept approved that access limitations due to U.S. Capitol methods. led the AOC and USBG to realize that security, and unforeseen debris buried Bartholdi Park, as a direct connection during the 1928-1930 demolition Bartholdi Park is also a refuge—an between the memorial and the of existing structures. Additionally, island of green where visitors, office Capitol, should be welcoming and due to site constraints, top soil was workers and a surprising diversity of accessible. removed and stored off site as was birds and pollinators can find respite reused flagstone, fieldstone, cobble from the stresses of the city. Benches Looking at the needed curb cuts, stone and brick. The renovation of the and tables with chairs offer quiet accessible paths, and replacement park included accessible pathways, shade in the summer and sheltered of noncompliant concrete sidewalks, improved access to the American sunlight in the winter. In warm it was apparent that a larger project Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial, weather, the splash of the fountain was needed. increased safety via new lighting, rhythmically underscores the chirps of improved stormwater collection, nesting birds and the drone of busy During this time the USBG was updated irrigation, new plantings, insects. In every season, the colors collaborating with the LadyBird and adaptive reuse of the historic and textures of the plants and flowers Johnson Wildflower Center and the northwest fountain as a raingarden. American Society for Landscape Bartholdi Park will continue to have Architects in the funding and demonstration and educational development of the Sustainable Sites gardens, featuring additional seating, Initiative, SITES. As a result it was native American plants, patio gardens, rain gardens, an edible garden, and accessible gardening areas. Former Land Uses Terrestrial Biome

Bartholdi Park, a triangular parcel of land originally known Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests. as square 578 was initially developed, although minimally, around 1857. Through 1865 only one structure was in place on this parcel. By the 1890s there were a number of houses and a school on this property. By 1902 the Senate Budget Parks Commission, the McMillian Commission was, among other things, proposing the removal of buildings and Bartholdi Park public realm improvements (hard and soft infrastructure from what would become the National Mall. costs): $3,824,570 total. This included eventually moving the US Botanic Garden to it’s current location, including the Fountain to what became, Bartholdi Park.

The cast iron fountain sculpted by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi (later famous for the ) previously stood at the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in ’s Fairmount Park. Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., who was redesigning the Capitol grounds at the time, learned that the fountain was available and recommended to Edward Clark that it be bought and placed in a suitable location. The fountain in the parks center was purchased in 1877 by the for $6,000 and placed at the United States Botanic Garden’s original site. A new water basin was built opposite the original U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory’s north front to receive the fountain.

Prior to 1930 construction of the new USBG off the mall, both parcels, 576 and 578 were cleared of existing development. . At some point after 1865 the Washington Canal on the west border of square 578 was covered and became Canal Street (Washington Avenue). Square 578, future Bartholdi Park, was developed in the late 1800s with a number of houses along Canal St, First Street, SW, B Street SW (Independence Ave) and a school on First St.

The fountain then moved to its location in Bartholdi Park (square 578) in 1932 when the U.S. Botanic Garden was moved.

Budget: Bartholdi Park public realm improvements (hard and soft costs): $3,824,570 Union Square, US Botanic Garden, Bartholdi Park and Square 575 CLR Chapter 3: Old Botanic Garden to Union Square, 1866 to 1926 

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15 May 2014 50% Draft Landscapes LLC Page 3.30 Site Context

Across Independence Avenue from the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, USBG Bartholdi Park is 53,095 sf or 1.22 acres.

Climate: Pre-design site opportunities: Average 39.74 inches of rainfall annually 1) Project site being located in existing urban site 80th percentile rainfall event = 0.80 inches with phenomenal proximity to numerous services 90th percentile rainfall event = 1.20 inches and existing infrastructure (transportation, utilities, 95th percentile rainfall event = 1.51 inches stormwater drainage, wastewater treatment, solid typical July high and low temps: 88 F°/72 F° waste management): The design team looked at typical January high and low temps: 48 F°/28 F° integrating visitor traffic flow into paths and entrances, winter winds: westerly/southwest alternative energy possibilities, stormwater capture and summer winds: south, southwesterly storage, as well as on site composting. Due to the size of the site some of these, like on site composting, were Pre-design site constraints: deemed not feasible. 1) Subsurface soil conditions – were largely unknown, 2) Previously developed urban site. other than multitude of underground infrastructure for 3) Understanding of site user groups (data) and existing security, elec and telecommunications, city water, and open space and public realm deficiencies that could steam and chilled water from central power plant. be addressed during site redesign; 2) Circulation and DC security: Access to the site would 4) Existing plant + hardscape materials available for only be allowed off of Washington Avenue, meaning the reuse (per materials survey); project had to proceed from the inside out to entrance gate. The design and construction had to take into 5) Support human health and well being through design , consideration lack of onsite storage, frequent and programming, and site use policies; changing requests from U.S. Capitol Police (USCP), 6. Highly visible public space. and need for noise levels to not disturb Congressional offices in the adjacent Rayburn House Office Building. Access to the site also required security screening by USCP at an offsite facility for delivery and construction equipment requiring additional planning and scheduling. 3) Sensitive soils and existing plant specimens: All top soil was removed, stored and brought back for reuse in the park. Larger existing plant material that could be saved in place was, using VSPZs as plant and soil protection zones. All other plant material was dug and transplanted for reuse in gardens on the grounds of the USBG, Library of Congress, U.S. Supreme Court, and DC Public Schools. SITES Project Boundary 245 First Street SW, Washington, DC 20024 Coordinates: 38° 53’ 17.2752” N, 77° 0’ 46.4904” W Challenges and Solutions

1. Pushing the materials industry: developed a set of specifications that clearly described SITES materials credits and associated requirements, required contractors to vet materials suppliers, identify suppliers that could meet and document desired material characteristics and established thresholds for wood products from non-threatened tree species, materials with recycled content and regional material, salvaged materials and sustainably grown plant material. 2. Managing stormwater: The site sits within Washington DC’s Combined Sewer Outfall Catchment #010. The renovated USBG Bartholdi Park project includes porous unit pavers, bioretention areas, densely planted vegetated areas, and the in the center of the site. All impervious pathways direct water into the bioretention areas. These green stormwater infrastructure features will reduce stormwater loads to city sewer and will decrease CSO events. 3. Undesirable previously placed fill material was either left in place, recycled or used at fill at the USBG growing facility four (4) miles south of the project site.

4. Protecting existing healthy soils, native and significant 1 plant specimen: USBG has been studying soil health in Bartholdi Park for the last several years so protecting and enhancing soil health was paramount. Areas of protected plants and soil were off limits to all construction and additional plants were installed with hand tools.

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4 Sustainable Features + Environmental, Social, and Economic Performance Benefits

Ecology + Soils goals through the use of several • 35% of materials are considered key strategies: designed for adaptability and • Used native and appropriately reassembly adapted plants in outdoor - Micro-grading to promote environments. 100% of selected maximum direct capture of • 11% of materials contain recycled plants are suitable for site runoff into landscape amenities content conditions, climate, and design - Providing stormwater storage • 61% of materials are extracted or intent within landscape amenities manufactured regionally • The USBG Bartholdi project is - Treatment of runoff using • 100% of structural waste conserving existing appropriate natural filtration provided by and 99.84% of roadway and native plants and/or installing new green stormwater infrastructure infrastructure waste has been native plants that equal a native diverted from landfill plant score 84.5%. - Promoting groundwater infiltration in dedicated • Added significant biomass. The bioinfiltration facilities USBG Bartholdi Park planting has increased herbaceous planting • Bartholdi Park site consist of ten Social and decreased impervious surface (10) bioretention facilities including • Promotes sustainability awareness area. The existing site BDI was the the NW Fountain, a lined + education through classes, 1.82 while final site BDI is 2.29. carnivorous plant bog, porous programs, signage and a field pavers, and impervious concrete journal. • Restored soil health and amended directing rainfall into these soils in place acrioss Bartholdi features. All of these features are • Provides seating, visual and Park visibly and physically accessible to physical access to vegetation, site visitors and staff. elements that reduce noise and mitigate negative distractions, Water and elements that address microclimate and other site- • No permanent irrigation system Energy specific conditions. Specific installed. Hose bibs placed • A 5-year renewable energy credit examples of visual and around the site can be utilized for (Green-e certified green power) physical access to vegetation, manual irrigation in the event of contract has been signed for 100% elements that reduce noise and severe drought to support plants. of electrical energy usage for Park. mitigate negative distractions, • The project retains or treats the • Project estimates a 81% reduction and elements that address 95th percentile storm event to in lighting energy consumption microclimate and other site- reduce related Combined Sewer through the incorporation of specific conditions include: Overflow events and improves energy efficient LED lamps in all 1) White noise created by water quality. The bioretention existing and new lights. fountain buffers out harsh areas were designed to capture urban noise and creates a the 95th percentile precipitation peaceful, pleasant urban oasis. event from the impervious areas Materials An additional recirculating that drain to them. water feature is to be installed • Bartholdi Park project includes • Provides site-wide recycling in Northwest end. Tables, new impervious pathways, porous receptacles and all green waste is chairs, and benches are unit pavers, porous concrete, composted. provided through out the bioretention areas, and densely • Site paving and surfaces will park. Sight lines to the Capitol planted vegetated areas that exhibit a high SRI value reducing grounds and a lush vegetative reduce and manage stormwater localized heat island effect landscape allow site users to on-site • Salvaged materials make up 11% decompress, relax and enjoy a meeting, a book, or a quiet • The project civil design achieved of total material cost lunch. stormwater quality and quantity Sustainable Features + Environmental, Social, and Economic Performance Benefits

2) Trees and umbrellas provide • Programing with patients from Economic shade site users Walter Reed Hospital takes place • Low maintenance materials in the park and a cooperative 3) Repurposed natural stone and vegetation result in low agreement with National Park and wood materials provide a maintenance costs calming visual backdrop Services sets the foundation for additional work with Veterans that • During construction, the hiring • Generate community with social maintain the adjacent memorial. of the workforce by HITT and gatherings spaces. Various subcontractors prioritized the • Programing with families and configurations of seating, seat hiring of local and low wage schools around the edible garden types, seat groupings have been individuals and provided a living also take place seasonally. provided to support multiple wage and on-the-job training to scales of social interaction from • The entire site area is tobacco hires the individual to the office happy smoke free • The purchase of materials and hour or tour group construction services from locally • Fitness classes are held regularly owned and operated businesses by USBG staff and volunteers. is equal to or greater than 10% of Activities include a “Sungglers” the overall construction budget. class for infants and caregivers, Wooden furniture was sourced Yoga, Nature in Motion, monthly from a local small business. Sustainability educational tours, a family field journal focusing on resource conservation and sustainable gardening. Maintenance + Monitoring

The integrated design and client team has prepared a site maintenance plan for Bartholdi Park that details short and long term strategic planning for sustainable site maintenance.

The maintenance site manager commits to educating maintenance personnel on the goals and implementation of the site maintenance plan.

The owner has created a plan to monitor and report on site performance of HHWB 6.2, 6.4, 6.5, and 6.6 for 1 year following substantial completion. Monitoring will be accomplished through the issuance of surveys to site users and reporting will be made transparent and available to the public and landscape design community. The goal is to determine what works and what does not work and use this information to modify site programming as necessary to ensure site users are able to be social, be active, or find places and opportunities for mental restoration.

Data collected through monitoring will be disseminated via usbg.gov, educational programs and talks.

Project Team

Client: Architect of the Capital + the United States Botanic Garden Landscape architect (prime): Andropogon Associates Civil: Meliora Design Utilities, irrigation, lighting design: AKF Consulting Engineers Construction manager: HITT Construction SITES consultant: ReVision Architecture

All images courtesy of United States Botanic Garden