The renovation of Bartholdi Park at the United States Botanic Garden (USBG), Washington, D.C., is a showcase of sustainable gardening. Created in 1932, Bartholdi Park has served as a demonstration garden for more than 80 years and until 2016 had not undergone a complete renovation since its original construction. The renovation provided an opportunity to increase accessibility, showcase the Sustainable SITES Initiative principles in action and demonstrate USBG’s commitment to sustainability.
Bartholdi Park is the first project in Washington to be certified under SITES version 2. SITES is a comprehensive system for designing, developing and maintaining sustainable land. It serves as a guide for sustainable landscaping and land development in a similar way to the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED green building program.
“We are excited to now have Bartholdi Park as a living example of a sustainably designed garden right in the middle of Washington, D.C.,” says Saharah Moon Chapotin, executive director, USBG. “This allows us to showcase how sustainable gardening can be beautiful, as well as provide benefits for both humans and the environment.”
Renovation plans focused on SITES’ key areas: water, soil, plants, materials and human health. The story of Bartholdi Park’s renovation is shared through new interpretive signage throughout the park. An interactive booklet also was developed to explain the park’s plants and sustainability. It can be picked up free-of-charge at the Conservatory’s Information Desk.
The United States Botanic Garden is open to the public, free of charge, every day of the year from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Conservatory is located at 100 Maryland Ave. SW, on the southwest side of the U.S. Capitol. More information is available online.
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