Norton Celebrates Ribbon Cutting for Franklin Park

WASHINGTON –Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) will deliver remarks today at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the reopening of Franklin Park.

"I'm thrilled to see the new and improved Franklin Park reopening at last," Norton said. "In 2019, my bill clarifying that D.C. and the National Park Service (NPS) have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to invest in, maintain and operate NPS land here was signed into law, allowing this project to go forward. We are fortunate that Congress created so many parks in the District, but because it never adequately funded them, D.C. stepped in to work with NPS and the DowntownDC BID to upgrade Franklin Park, adding a restaurant and pavilion, to enable the park to continue to serve D.C. residents and provide a safe space for the community."

Norton's remarks, as prepared for delivery, follow.

I am pleased to join you all today to celebrate the reopening of Franklin Park, the largest green space in downtown D.C. The long-anticipated rehabilitation of this historic urban park will provide an oasis for D.C. residents and visitors to the nation's capital for years to come.

Congress authorized this park for public purposes in 1819, though it did not come to be known as "Franklin Square" until much later. At the time, the square had natural springs used to supply water to the White House and other federal buildings. Franklin Square has been a public park since the 1850s, serving the D.C. community for about 170 years. Prior to today's renovation, the last changes to the park were made in 1935 as part of a New-Deal era public works grant. These changes included the planting of new trees, a paved flagstone plaza, and an oval fountain.

A revitalization of our beloved park was long overdue. That is why in 2019 I, working together with Senator Lisa Murkowski, got legislation signed into law that clarified that the District of Columbia and the National Park Service have the authority to enter into cooperative management agreements to rehabilitate, manage and operate NPS parks in D.C. NPS has limited funding for the huge number of parks, like Franklin Park, under its supervision. There is no hope of renovating all our parks, both large and small, without assistance from the local jurisdictions where they are located.

As a result of the partnership among NPS, D.C. and the Downtown Business Improvement District, visitors today will be able to enjoy a beautifully restored urban park, with amenities such as an outdoor restaurant and pavilion, an interactive historic fountain, a diversified tree canopy, ADA-accessible sidewalks, increased seating, and a children's garden. The renovations to Franklin Park will ensure that this historic space will continue to meet the needs of our city into the 21st century.

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