Constitution Gardens facts for kids
Constitution Gardens is a beautiful park in Washington, D.C., United States. It's part of the famous National Mall. This park is about 50 acres (20 hectares) big. It sits between the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the west and 17th Street NW on the east. To the north is Constitution Avenue, and to the south is the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The park has a small pond with an island that you can visit.
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How Constitution Gardens Began
The land where Constitution Gardens now sits was once underwater! It was part of the Potomac River. In the early 1900s, the United States Army Corps of Engineers used special equipment to pull up mud and sand, creating new land.
During World War I, the United States Navy built temporary offices on this new land. These buildings were called the Main Navy and Munitions Buildings. They were taken down in 1970. President Richard Nixon helped make this happen because he wanted a park there. He had even worked in those buildings as a navy officer!
In 1976, Constitution Gardens was officially opened. It was a special "living legacy" to celebrate the 200th birthday (Bicentennial) of the American Revolution. Since 1982, the National Park Service has taken care of the park.
Important Memorials in the Park
Constitution Gardens is home to some important memorials:
- In July 1982, the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence was placed on the island in the park's lake. This memorial honors the people who signed the Declaration of Independence.
- On November 13, 1982, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall was also dedicated within Constitution Gardens. This wall remembers the soldiers who served in the Vietnam War.
In 1986, President Ronald Reagan officially called the park a "living legacy tribute" to the Constitution of the United States. This was to honor the Constitution's 200th birthday, which was coming up a year later.
Visitors and Special Events
Millions of people visit Constitution Gardens every year. They come to see the famous memorials and enjoy the peaceful park. It's also a special place where new U.S. citizens are welcomed during an annual ceremony. This ceremony is hosted by the National Park Service.
Designing the Park
In 1976, a group of architects and landscape designers worked together to create Constitution Gardens. They wanted it to be a calm and relaxing park with a small lake. The idea was for it to feel different from the more formal areas of the National Mall. They planned winding paths through grassy areas shaded by trees.
In 1984, the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence was finished. It was designed by a company called EDAW. This memorial is a simple granite semi-circle. It has gold signatures of the Founding Fathers, organized by the original thirteen states.
Future Plans for Constitution Gardens
Around 2011–2012, a national competition was held to find new ideas for redesigning parts of the National Mall. This included Constitution Gardens. The goal was to make these areas even better.
A team of designers was chosen to redesign Constitution Gardens. Their plans include making the lake a key part of how the park manages rainwater. This means the lake could help reduce flooding and provide water for watering plants and flushing toilets in the park.
Images for kids
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Each stone at the Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence includes the delegate's signature, name, job, and where they lived.
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Aerial photograph of Constitution Gardens from above the Potomac River
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