Columbia Heights in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Park Designers
Rock Creek Park
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Noted landscape architects George Burnap and Horace Peaslee, who worked in the Office of Public Buoildings and Grounds, designed Meridian Hill Park under the guidance of the Commission of Fine Arts. By 1914, Burnap had completed his basic design: a linear series of elements that included the Mall, the Great Terrace, the Hillside Gardens with Cascades, and the Lower Plaza with the memorial to President Buchanan.
After Burnap returned to private practice in 1917, Peaslee submitted revisions that greatly simplified the Mall. As automobiles were rapidly replacing horsedrawn carriages in the city, he eliminated vehicular access to the park. He added a pedestrian entrance on 15th Street and shifted the Buchanan Memorial off the main axis to the east side of the Lower Plaza.
When park construction began in 1918, landscape designer Ferruccio Vitale was hired to develp a planting plan for Meridian Hill Park. Following Peaslee's lead, Vitale greatly simplified the lower park. He eliminated the 16th Street entrance to the Great Terrace, the bridge over the Cascades and the oval amphitheater, and simplified the pathways of
this page online
For more information visit: go.nps.gov/MeridianHillPark
[Captions:]
Peaslee generated hundreds of sketches for park furnishings and details, such as this fountain.
Though funds to build the park were slow in coming, designers scrambled to stay ahead of construction crews. Here, the pathway leading to Dante, already installed in the Hillside Gardens, is formed and poured.
Design model of the HIllside Gardens, Cascades and Lower Plaza.
Erected 2026 by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Parks & Recreational Areas • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1914.
Location. 38° 55.335′ N, 77° 2.13′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Columbia Heights. It is on 15th Street Northwest north of Chapin Street Northwest, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Washington DC 20009, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Design Challenges (here, next to this marker); Creating the "City Beautiful" (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Visionary and Park Champion (here, next to this marker); Mansions, Parks, and People (within shouting distance of this marker); An American Meridian (within shouting distance of this marker); Serenity (within shouting distance of this marker); College Hill (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Campus to Army Camps and Back Again (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
Other markers no longer nearby. Visionary and Park Champion (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Creating the "City Beautiful" (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Design Challenges (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named Park Designers (has been replaced with this marker); a different marker also named An American Meridian (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Additional keywords. landscape architecture
Credits. This page was last revised on October 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 27, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
