Franklin Park

Your active, engaging respite in the heart of DowntownDC. Recently renovated and now open!

DowntownDC’s Largest Green Space

Originally established in 1832, Franklin Park reopened in September 2021 after an eagerly anticipated renovation. The new park includes an expanded and restored fountain plaza, a new children’s garden, ADA accessible sidewalks, enhanced lighting, conversational seating, engaging green space and a future restaurant pavilion. Operated by DowntownDC BID, Franklin Park is a destination for residents, workers and visitors in the heart of DC.

project

History & Planning

A planning partnership was formed in 2012 between NPS, the DC Government and the BID to transform the park and establish sustainable maintenance, operation, and programming of the park in perpetuity. The result of this planning effort was a concept design and maintenance and operations plan for the park.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and the DC City Council provided $18 million for the renovation. In March 2019, President Trump signed a federal lands package that permitted the District of Columbia to invest its capital dollars in the renovation and construction of the park through a cooperative management agreement with NPS. Studios Architecture and Land Collective were awarded the design and engineering contracts for the project. The DC Department of General Services (DGS) is overseeing the construction and has retained Smoot Construction Co. as the general contractor. The DowntownDC BID will operate, program, and manage the park upon its reopening. Funding support will be provided by the BID’s 501 c3, the DowntownDC Foundation.

The DowntownDC Weekend Community Services Program

This program allows community groups, that had provided services on the weekend in Franklin Park to individuals experiencing homelessness. On Saturdays and Sundays from 10am-4pm, community-based organizations, churches and individuals can register for a space at this alternative site, which will include hand washing stations and support social distancing particularly during COVID-19.

Live Construction

The redesigned park, located between 13th and 14th streets NW and K and I streets NW, will include an outdoor restaurant with seating and restrooms, a children’s play area, a repaired and interactive historic fountain, new seating, an improved tree canopy and more.

Watch Live Video Stream

Get Involved

SUPPORT

Connect with the DowntownDC Foundation to learn more about donor and sponsorship opportunities for the park.

JOBS

We are recruiting a team to lead Park operations, management and programming. Apply today and join us!

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer to support the Franklin Park team. Opportunities coming soon.

CONTRACTS

View current contract opportunities for all aspects of Park operations including management, security, landscaping, programming and more. Coming Soon.

How the Park will be Operated

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Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness

Additional Resources

franklin park

Restaurant

The new Franklin Park will feature a restaurant with a patio.

DC Department of
Human Services

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD):
Filing a Police Report During Coronavirus

Bread for the City: 1525 7th Street, NW (Northwest Center); T: (202) 265-2400;
Open 8:30 am-12:00 pm

Thrive DC: 1525 Newton Street, NW;
T: (202) 737-9311

Martha’s Table: The Commons (2375 Elvans Road, SE); T: (202) 885-9613; The Maycroft (1474 Columbia Road, NW); T: (202) 328-6608

Miriam’s Kitchen: 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW; T: (202) 452-8926; Open 7:00 am – 8:00 am breakfast and 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm dinner

DC Department of
Human Services

Metropolitan Police Department (MPD):
Filing a Police Report During Coronavirus

Bread for the City: 1525 7th Street, NW (Northwest Center); T: (202) 265-2400;
Open 8:30 am-12:00 pm

Dispatch Contact Info:
Email — dispatch@downtowndc.org;
Phone — (202) 624-1550

Thrive DC: 1525 Newton Street, NW;
T: (202) 737-9311

Martha’s Table: The Commons (2375 Elvans Road, SE); T: (202) 885-9613; The Maycroft (1474 Columbia Road, NW); T: (202) 328-6608

Miriam’s Kitchen: 2401 Virginia Avenue, NW; T: (202) 452-8926; Open 7:00 am – 8:00 am breakfast and 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm dinner

The DowntownDC Foundation serves as a vehicle for philanthropic initiatives aligned with the BID’s mission. Donate to the Foundation here.

Hours of Operation

Every day, from dawn to dusk.

Contact Information

Email address: franklinpark@downtowndc.org

Support the DowntownDC Foundation

The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) activated the DowntownDC Foundation to serve as a vehicle for philanthropic initiatives aligned with the BID’s mission.

The Foundation is directly addressing Franklin Park’s renovation: DowntownDC’s largest green space will become a premier urban park, which will be operated and managed by the BID upon its reopening.

DONATE