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11th Street Bridge Park.
Rendering via OMA+OLIN

12 D.C. area parks either planned or under renovation

These public spaces are getting bigger, better, and more green

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11th Street Bridge Park.
| Rendering via OMA+OLIN

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in July 21, 2017 and has been updated with the most recent information.

Already, people who love green spaces should be able to fall in love with the nation’s capital. There are so many parks and public areas to choose from, from Meridian Hill Park to Rock Creek Park. In the coming years, residents and tourists alike will be able to find even more parks along with heavily refurbished ones.

Below, Curbed DC has mapped 12 D.C. area park projects that are in varying stages of design and development, from Noma Green, which hasn’t started construction just yet, to 11th Street Bridge Park, which isn’t expected to complete until 2019. The mapped locations have been listed geographically from the most north to the most south. Know of another park project on the way? Let us know in the comments.

The Washington, D.C., Economic Partnership (WDCEP) contributed to the making of this article. For more facts and figures from the WDCEP, be sure to check out their annual report, which gives an insightful and in-depth look at over 50 of the District’s neighborhoods.

For more news on cultural institutions currently undergoing—or soon to undergo—major renovations, check out this Curbed DC article.

If interested in searching for more of Washington, D.C.’s gardens and green spaces, head to this Curbed DC map.

[UPDATE 7/25/17: The RFK Stadium-Armory Campus redevelopment and the Buzzard Point Park redesign were included.]

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Dewey Park

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Developer/planner: The Montgomery County Planning Board

The skinny: This Maryland park has been in need of renovations for years now. At the moment, the basketball court is closed due to the poor condition it’s in. Bethesda Magazine reports that this may all change for the better with an estimated $2 million renovation planned.

If all goes according to plan, the 14-and-a-half-acre Dewey Park will eventually install a new playground, outdoor gym with fitness stations, and a 22,000-square-foot dog park. A new court may also be built with the ability to accommodate street hockey games. Finally, an additional 11 parking spaces may be added.

There are no reports as to when construction is expected to begin.

Image via Montgomery County Planning Board

Long Branch/Wayne Local Park

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Developer/planner: The Montgomery County Planning Board

The skinny: An estimated $5.5 million is going towards renovating this six-acre park in Silver Spring, Maryland. The funds will go towards installing new fitness equipment, overhauling the playground area, and adding new pathways and park entrances, as reported by Bethesda Magazine. There are also plans to widen East Wayne Avenue and add more spaces to the existing parking lot. A new 25-space lot will also be constructed.

Image via Montgomery County Planning Board

NoMa Green

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Developer/planner: The NoMa Parks Foundation

The skinny: South of where the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) meets R Street NE, there will be a new public space with a playground and a dog park. The over two-acre park will be about a half an acre bigger than initially planned, while the MBT portion that passes the park will be wider as well. The dog park portion was enlarged by about a sixth an acre.

The moniker, NoMa Green, is currently a placeholder. The name may change over time.

Construction is slated to begin in 2018.

Rendering via NoMa Parks Foundation

C&O Canal National Historic Park

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Developers/planners: James Corner Field Operations, Georgetown Heritage, and the National Park Service

The skinny: The masterminds behind New York’s High Line park are redesigning a one-mile section of the C&O Canal into a landmark park perfect for social gatherings. Still, this project is in the nascent stages, and there are no renderings available just yet, but stay tuned. The estimated date of completion for this project is 2019.

The last project in Washington, D.C., that was designed by James Corner Field Operations was the National Building Museum’s 2016 summer installation, ICEBERGS.

C&O Canal Photo via Aaron Garza

Third and L Street Park

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Developer/planner: The NoMa Parks Foundation 

The skinny: Since 2015, there have been plans to redevelop this plot of land, located at the corner of Third and L streets NE, into a brand new park with a jungle gym-like structure. Half of the 8,000-square-foot site will be tailored for dog owners, while the other half will be for children.

Construction is expected to begin by August of this year.

Rendering via the NoMa Parks Foundation

Franklin Square Park

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Developers/planners: The National Park Service, District government, and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District

The skinny: In the center of Downtown, the approximately five-acre Franklin Square Park will get a much-needed facelift. With renovations set to finish in late 2017, this park is expected to feature an interactive fountain, cafe, children's play area, and pedestrian mall. The last time this park was renovated was in the mid-1970s.

Rendering via National Park Service

Constitution Gardens

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Developers/planners: Rogers Partners Architects+Urban Designers and PWP Landscape Architecture

The skinny: For the first time in 40 years, the Constitution Gardens are getting redesigned. The two-phase, 50-acre plan involves designing a 160-foot-long glass-walled pavilion wrapped in an open, triangulated structure.

Along with these renovations, the 1832-constructed Lockkeeper’s House will also be relocated and renovated. There will also be a new entry plaza at the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW as well as a perimeter garden wall.

The first phase of the project is expected to complete by November 2017.

Rendering via PWP Landscape Architects and ROGERS PARTNERS+Urban Designers

The redevelopment of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

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Developer/planner: Events DC

The skinny: Currently, the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus houses 22.3 acres of green spaces. If all plans follow through, the planned redevelopment of the site will allow for 76 acres of green space.

Eastern Market Park

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Developer/planner: N/A

The skinny: Plans are in store for the park by the Eastern Market Metro station to be redesigned with a brand new play area that will offer a tree house, jungle gym, water pump, and swing set. There will also be an outdoor reading area for the nearby Southeast Neighborhood Library, more environmentally friendly landscaping, and new bus stops. Construction is expected to start in 2019.

For an interactive map of the park and what new things are in store for it, check out the official Eastern Market Metro Park website here.

11th Street Bridge Park

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Developer/planner: OMA + OLIN

The skinny: Washington, D.C.’s first elevated bridge park is expected to deliver by mid-2019 with a lot to offer. Expect spaces for performances, public art, plazas, play areas, kayak and canoe launches, an environmental education center, and urban agriculture plots.

Rendering via OMA+OLIN

Buzzard Point Marina

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Developer/planner: National Park Service

The skinny: Currently, there are two concept designs for the redesign of Buzzard Point Park. Both incorporate the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail into the design of the three-and-a-half acre park. Once complete, there will also be a pedestrian promenade, a kayak launch, open lawn areas, and restrooms.

Concept 1 of the Final Development Concept Plan for Buzzard Point Park.
Rendering via National Park Service

Fitzgerald Square

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Developer/planner: The City of Alexandria

The skinny: At the foot of King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, there are plans for a new public plaza that will total nearly one and a half acres of land. Once complete, Fitzgerald Square will replace the Old Dominion Boat Club house, a parking lot, and an existing green space between the two properties. The space will also eventually feature a seasonal ice rink.

Rendering via Rendering via City of Alexandria

Dewey Park

Developer/planner: The Montgomery County Planning Board

The skinny: This Maryland park has been in need of renovations for years now. At the moment, the basketball court is closed due to the poor condition it’s in. Bethesda Magazine reports that this may all change for the better with an estimated $2 million renovation planned.

If all goes according to plan, the 14-and-a-half-acre Dewey Park will eventually install a new playground, outdoor gym with fitness stations, and a 22,000-square-foot dog park. A new court may also be built with the ability to accommodate street hockey games. Finally, an additional 11 parking spaces may be added.

There are no reports as to when construction is expected to begin.

Image via Montgomery County Planning Board

Long Branch/Wayne Local Park

Developer/planner: The Montgomery County Planning Board

The skinny: An estimated $5.5 million is going towards renovating this six-acre park in Silver Spring, Maryland. The funds will go towards installing new fitness equipment, overhauling the playground area, and adding new pathways and park entrances, as reported by Bethesda Magazine. There are also plans to widen East Wayne Avenue and add more spaces to the existing parking lot. A new 25-space lot will also be constructed.

Image via Montgomery County Planning Board

NoMa Green

Developer/planner: The NoMa Parks Foundation

The skinny: South of where the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) meets R Street NE, there will be a new public space with a playground and a dog park. The over two-acre park will be about a half an acre bigger than initially planned, while the MBT portion that passes the park will be wider as well. The dog park portion was enlarged by about a sixth an acre.

The moniker, NoMa Green, is currently a placeholder. The name may change over time.

Construction is slated to begin in 2018.

Rendering via NoMa Parks Foundation

C&O Canal National Historic Park

Developers/planners: James Corner Field Operations, Georgetown Heritage, and the National Park Service

The skinny: The masterminds behind New York’s High Line park are redesigning a one-mile section of the C&O Canal into a landmark park perfect for social gatherings. Still, this project is in the nascent stages, and there are no renderings available just yet, but stay tuned. The estimated date of completion for this project is 2019.

The last project in Washington, D.C., that was designed by James Corner Field Operations was the National Building Museum’s 2016 summer installation, ICEBERGS.

C&O Canal Photo via Aaron Garza

Third and L Street Park

Developer/planner: The NoMa Parks Foundation 

The skinny: Since 2015, there have been plans to redevelop this plot of land, located at the corner of Third and L streets NE, into a brand new park with a jungle gym-like structure. Half of the 8,000-square-foot site will be tailored for dog owners, while the other half will be for children.

Construction is expected to begin by August of this year.

Rendering via the NoMa Parks Foundation

Franklin Square Park

Developers/planners: The National Park Service, District government, and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District

The skinny: In the center of Downtown, the approximately five-acre Franklin Square Park will get a much-needed facelift. With renovations set to finish in late 2017, this park is expected to feature an interactive fountain, cafe, children's play area, and pedestrian mall. The last time this park was renovated was in the mid-1970s.

Rendering via National Park Service

Constitution Gardens

Developers/planners: Rogers Partners Architects+Urban Designers and PWP Landscape Architecture

The skinny: For the first time in 40 years, the Constitution Gardens are getting redesigned. The two-phase, 50-acre plan involves designing a 160-foot-long glass-walled pavilion wrapped in an open, triangulated structure.

Along with these renovations, the 1832-constructed Lockkeeper’s House will also be relocated and renovated. There will also be a new entry plaza at the corner of Constitution Avenue NW and 17th Street NW as well as a perimeter garden wall.

The first phase of the project is expected to complete by November 2017.

Rendering via PWP Landscape Architects and ROGERS PARTNERS+Urban Designers

The redevelopment of Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium

Developer/planner: Events DC

The skinny: Currently, the RFK Stadium-Armory Campus houses 22.3 acres of green spaces. If all plans follow through, the planned redevelopment of the site will allow for 76 acres of green space.

Eastern Market Park

Developer/planner: N/A

The skinny: Plans are in store for the park by the Eastern Market Metro station to be redesigned with a brand new play area that will offer a tree house, jungle gym, water pump, and swing set. There will also be an outdoor reading area for the nearby Southeast Neighborhood Library, more environmentally friendly landscaping, and new bus stops. Construction is expected to start in 2019.

For an interactive map of the park and what new things are in store for it, check out the official Eastern Market Metro Park website here.

11th Street Bridge Park

Developer/planner: OMA + OLIN

The skinny: Washington, D.C.’s first elevated bridge park is expected to deliver by mid-2019 with a lot to offer. Expect spaces for performances, public art, plazas, play areas, kayak and canoe launches, an environmental education center, and urban agriculture plots.

Rendering via OMA+OLIN

Buzzard Point Marina

Developer/planner: National Park Service

The skinny: Currently, there are two concept designs for the redesign of Buzzard Point Park. Both incorporate the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail into the design of the three-and-a-half acre park. Once complete, there will also be a pedestrian promenade, a kayak launch, open lawn areas, and restrooms.

Concept 1 of the Final Development Concept Plan for Buzzard Point Park.
Rendering via National Park Service

Fitzgerald Square

Developer/planner: The City of Alexandria

The skinny: At the foot of King Street in Alexandria, Virginia, there are plans for a new public plaza that will total nearly one and a half acres of land. Once complete, Fitzgerald Square will replace the Old Dominion Boat Club house, a parking lot, and an existing green space between the two properties. The space will also eventually feature a seasonal ice rink.

Rendering via Rendering via City of Alexandria