Georgetown Waterfront Park

The Georgetown Waterfront Park benefits from a propitious site on a curve of the Potomac River directly across from Roosevelt Island with views west toward Key Bridge and east toward the Kennedy Center and Memorial Bridge. The focus of the park is the river. It has been designed to maximize the visual and psychological benefits of the river for the park visitors and those on nearby streets.

The western section from Wisconsin Avenue to Key Bridge is primarily pastoral with walkways, benches, overlooks, large open green areas, and a labyrinth.  Calming vistas of the river are unobstructed whether one is seated in a bench within the park, ambling along the riverfront path, or walking down the city streets. The overlooks featuring granite slabs etched with historical scenes and information offer even closer views of the river itself and all the rowing activity. Careful attention to the ecological functions of the park includes rain garden to filter runoff before it enters the river and a bio edge wall in crumbled section of bulkhead. The furniture like the benches and lighting, providing comfort, security, and durability, blend into the quiet, calming nature of the park.

The eastern section of the park from 31st Street to Wisconsin Avenue has been designed for more active and heavier use than the western section. The Wisconsin Avenue part of the park will greet the visitor with a low arcing fountain lined with benches, while the riverfront will have steps laddering down to the river at the site of the finish line for the regattas. A wide walkway will be continued along the river with an area with benches and a pergola for river viewing. In this section of the park, crowds can gather to watch rowing regattas or just look at the river from the sheltered pergola.

The park was designed by world-renowned, Philadelphia-based landscape planning firm Wallace, Roberts and Todd.