Eckington in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Meadow
Growing A Healthy Park
For most of the 20th century, the land around you was a rail yard connecting the District to the world, after which it lay mostly fallow, a place for parking cars and dumping trash. Although these industrial uses compromised soil health, Alethia Tanner Park was designed to create a thriving ecosystem and community hub. Interventions — including phytoremediation, rainwater collection, and the planting of native species — set the park on a healthy course.
One Meadow, Many Functions
The meadow in front of you is designed to accomplish several important things:
• Provide nectar, seeds, and habitat for birds and insects.
• Remove sedimentation and pollutants from stormwater — one of three bioretention interventions at Alethia Tanner Park.
• Remove contaminants from the soil. In phytoremediation, plants provide a reactor for the contaminants to be broken down by helping to increase the number of micro-organisms that use pollutants for food.
A Few Key Plant Species
• Butterfly Weed: Asclepias tuberosa is a milkweed species native to eastern North America. Butterflies are attracted to its bright orange color and copious nectar production.
• Soft RushJuncus effusus can survive both dry and wet soil conditions and is used in bioretention to prevent erosion and encourage the absorption of stormwater.
Click or scan to see
this page online
• Brown or Indian Mustard: Brassica juncea remediates metal pollutants in the soil.
[Timeline:]
Pre-1700: Native American (Anacostans) Landscape
1700-1900: Pastoral Farmland
1900-2014: Industrial Development and Decline
2015-2019: Site Purchase and Remediation by NoMa Parks Foundation
2020: Alethia Tanner Park Opens
Erected 2020 by DC Department of Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 2020.
Location. 38° 54.69′ N, 77° 0.076′ W. Marker is in Northeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Eckington. Marker can be reached from Harry Thomas Way Northeast south of Quincy Lane Northeast, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1501 Harry Thomas Way Northeast, Washington DC 20002, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Religious Organizations / Education (within shouting distance of this marker); Alethia "Lethe" Tanner
Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 23, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 60 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 23, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
