General Concept:

The site would be stabilized at its current level of integrity with the same form and materials that exist today. Open and enclosed areas would be maintained, preserving the existing relationship between woodlands and meadows. The stream and related structures would be stabilized and the stream banks would be protected from further erosion. All structures would be stabilized and extant historic vegetation would be preserved. Even this, the simplest treatment alternative, would involve a high level of maintenance work, particularly the control of invasive vegetation in each management zone.

Northern Woodland

The historic character of the woodland would be maintained so that it continues to act as a buffer between the park and adjacent lands, as well as a backdrop for views from the upper gardens and the park. To maintain the character of the woodland, invasive vegetation would be kept from spreading by removing invasive trees and vines along the southern edge between the woodland and meadows. The entrance from the east branch of Whitehaven Street would be closed and the fence repaired.

Meadows

The present extent of the five meadows would be maintained and the invasive and woody vegetation would not be allowed to encroach any further. There would be no attempt to restore the meadows to their original size. Any remnant historic vegetation, drifts of perennials and bulbs, and meadow division vegetation would be preserved to maintain the historic character of the open glades and tree lines dividing the five meadows. All site features, circulation systems (Clifton Hill Walk and farm track), and site furnishings (three cast-stone benches and animal gravestones) would be maintained in their current condition.

Lovers' Lane Entrance (D.C. owned)

To help direct visitors to Dumbarton Oaks Park, an entrance sign would be installed at the east side of the intersection of Lovers’ Lane and R Street. (The original entrance sign stood on NPS property on the northwestern corner of Montrose Park.) Rampant vegetation would be routinely cut back to reveal the stone gutter and wall on either side of the Lovers’ Lane corridor. These structural features would then be stabilized.

Beech Grove

At the bottom of Lovers’ Lane, another entrance sign would direct visitors to Dumbarton Oaks Park through the main gate. The historic vegetative character (beeches, herbaceous plants) would be preserved and any invasive vegetation would be removed. All structural features--the stone piers, wooden gates, hardware, and stone wall--would be stabilized.

Stream Valley

Due to safety concerns, the path surface would be improved in its current location, with some provisions to add safe passage at the historic stream crossings and over the pebble stream, providing these would not lessen the historic integrity of the path. The dams, streambanks, and retaining walls would be stabilized, but not restored, by following the guidelines in the Landscape Preservation Maintenance Plan. The historic vegetative character would be maintained, while the invasive vegetation would be removed to maintain the current relationships between open and enclosed areas, and for clear views up into the meadows and upper gardens. The last two components of the stream valley design, the garden structures (including the Old Stone Pump House, the stone bridge, the Gray arbor memorial, the Old Pump House, and the Stream Arbor) and small-scale features (including the millstone, the waterwheel, the marker and edging stones, the birdbath, and the wooden benches), would be stabilized to prevent further deterioration.

Southern Slope

To maintain some visual connection to the upper gardens, the Forsythia Steps and the Hazel Walk would be stabilized and kept clear of vegetation. The open character of the area between the two paths would be maintained. The historic vegetative character along the southern slope would be maintained, while invasive vegetation would be removed to maintain the existing views and the relationship between the open and wooded areas. Historically wooded areas, where substantial removal of invasive vegetation is necessary, would be reforested as defined by current National Park Service criteria for native woodland. The ongoing work of restoring the vegetation on Forsythia Hill would continue according to the guidelines in the Landscape Preservation Maintenance Plan. All structural features, including the Forsythia Arch, Spring Grotto and pebble stream, and boundary fence, would be stabilized and maintained.

Designed Woodland

As the final area of the naturalistic landscape, the historic woodland character would be maintained, and invasive vegetation removed to prevent further degradation of the woodland. The existing circulation system would be maintained with added improvements to provide safe access to Dumbarton Oaks Park from the west section of Whitehaven Street. (This path and entrance to the park may need to be closed off if a detention pond is located on the Whitehaven Tract, depending on the hydrologic study.)

General Concept:

This alternative takes the present-day uses of the park into consideration and accepts the changes that have been made to the vegetation. The spatial organization, rather than the plant palette, provides the key for this concept. The enclosed and open character of the various rooms along the stream, and of the meadows and woodlands, would be redefined where it has been lost. In areas where certain design features have been lost, interpretive devices, such as low-profile signs, benches, etc., would be used to convey the historic design intent. In areas where the integrity of the design is still evident, structural features would be stabilized and, in some cases, restored. The historic path system would be redefined throughout the entire park, but only certain portions of the walks in the designed woodland would be reestablished, based on the integrity of the system.

Northern Woodland

The entrance from the east branch of Whitehaven Street would be closed to lessen the impact of cut-through traffic on the historic landscape, and the boundary fence would be repaired. The north segment of the farm track would remain a destination with the placement of an unobtrusive bench at the end of the track to allow a place to sit and enjoy views back down the road corridor and into the fifth meadow. All remaining aspects of the woodlands historic character would be maintained as in Alternative 1.

Meadows

The spatial qualities of the meadows would be restored to their historic configuration and maintained at this size. The first four meadows (from east to west) would be mowed once a year to maintain their historic grassland appearance. The northern third of the fifth meadow would be kept closely mowed to provide passage between the designed woodland and the farm track. As in Alternative 1, the remnant historic vegetation would be preserved to maintain the historic character. To experience the intended spatial qualities of the meadows, the Clifton Hill Walk and the farm track would be restored to their historic alignment and width. No paths would be defined in the fifth meadow; instead, visitors would determine their own routes between the designed woodland and farm track. To take advantage of the views down to the stream valley, benches would be placed in inconspicuous locations along the Clifton Hill Walk. All other site furnishings (three cast-stone benches and animal gravestones) would be maintained in their current condition.

Lovers' Lane Entrance (D.C. owned)

Same as Alternative 1.

Beech Grove

The path through the Beech Grove would be restored to its historic more narrower width from the entrance gate to the stone bridge, and the non-historic railroad-tie steps leading down to the East Falls would be removed. Redefining the historic circulation strengthens the formality of the corridor. An interpretive wayside with a site map would be provided at the gate entrance to orient visitors to Dumbarton Oaks Park. All other aspects of the Beech Grove as defined in Alternative 1 would be the same.

Stream Valley

To strengthen the connection between garden rooms, the historic stream path would be reestablished in its historic alignment, using appropriate materials. The serpentine layout and narrow width of the trail are important components to reestablish and maintain, along with such historic design features as "thresholds," edging and marker stones, and rustic footbridges. A design solution is needed to create a safe passage over the pebble stream, providing it would not lessen the historic integrity of the stream path. To emphasize the spatial organization, a planting plan would be developed for the stream valley to restore vegetation to more clearly delineate the "rooms" along the stream. All structural features would be restored and maintained in their historic condition, including the stream course (dams, streambanks, retaining walls, and pools) and garden structures (the Old Stone Pump House, the stone bridge, the Gray arbor memorial, the Old Pump House, and the Stream Arbor), based on historic photographic documentation. Small-scale features including the millstone, the water wheel, the marker and edging stones, and the birdbath, would be stabilized and maintained. Benches would be placed in their historic locations along the stream path and the "Washington" bench at the Laurel Pool would be retained. Interpretive devices would be used to identify lost features, such as the Unicorn Lady statue.

Southern Slope

The emphasis would be on restoring the spatial organization of the open and enclosed areas as defined by the vegetation. Where the spaces are intact, the existing vegetation massing would be maintained. For the remaining areas, a planting plan would be developed to restore the open and enclosed areas. This would include restoring a meadow between the Forsythia Steps and Hazel Walk to reflect that it was a continuation of the open area in the upper gardens. As in Alternative 1, historic vegetation would be maintained, while invasive vegetation would be removed. The historically wooded areas, where substantial removal of invasives is necessary, would be reforested as defined by current National Park Service criteria for native woodland. The ongoing work of restoring the vegetation on Forsythia Hill would continue according to the guidelines in the Landscape Preservation Maintenance Plan. The two remaining historic connections to the upper gardens, the Forsythia Steps and the Hazel Walk, no longer serve a function since they have been closed off. To encourage visitor use, the Forsythia Steps and Arch would be stabilized, and the original gate would be replaced with proper security measures, to regain views between the two sites. This would be done in cooperation with Dumbarton Oaks Gardens. The abandoned Hazel Walk would be stabilized and an inconspicuous bench or low-profile sign would be placed at the top of the path. A path would be created parallel to the pebble stream to provide a safe walking surface for visitors so they don’t have to walk in the pebble stream. The spring grotto and pebble stream would be restored.

Designed Woodland

As in Alternative 1, the historic character of the designed woodland would be maintained. Invasive and non-historic vegetation would be removed to prevent further degradation of the woodland. The one existing woodland path and historic remnant path would be restored to their original widths, based on historic documentation. The restoration of these two paths will enable visitors to experience the upper fourth of the circulation system, which was abandoned by the 1970s. Selected plantings from the existing plant palette would be added along the paths to help define their edges. The existing path from the west branch of Whitehaven Street would be modified to deter bicycle use and the path improved for safe pedestrian access. (This path and entrance to the park may need to be closed off if a detention pond is located on the Whitehaven Tract, depending on the outcome of the hydrologic study.) A new entrance sign and interpretive wayside with a plan of the park would be provided at the beginning of the path from the west branch of Whitehaven Street.

 Alternative 3 - Restoration: Reclaiming the Historic Landscape

General Concept:

This alternative restores Dumbarton Oaks Park to the period of the 1940s. The overall spatial organization, and the progression from the formal to the naturalistic, provide the keys to understanding Farrand’s design. The relationship with Dumbarton Oaks Gardens would be reestablished by opening historic views and vistas between the two sites and by redefining the connecting paths. The entire circular walk and three of the connecting paths would be restored to their historic appearance. To emphasize the progression from formal spaces to wilderness, the focus would be on restoring the detail planting along the stream where it has been lost and restoring the woodland walks. Some modifications to the plant palette may be made because of current growing conditions.

Elements of the Plan:

Northern Woodland

The historic transitional vegetation between the woodland and the meadows would be restored to its original character to emphasize the border between the open and enclosed spaces. All other recommendations of maintaining the historic character of the woodland would be the same as Alternative 2. The entrance from the east branch of Whitehaven Street would remain closed and the boundary fence would be repaired as in Alternative 2.

Meadows

The main difference between Alternatives 2 and 3 would be the restoration of the historic plant palette. After redefining the historic configuration and size of the meadows, the historic drifts of perennials and bulbs and native grass turf would be maintained and restored when lost. In the open areas historic specimen trees would be maintained and replaced in kind in the same location when lost. The boundaries dividing the meadows would also be redefined. This would involve clearing the understory vegetation growing beneath the various lines of trees to open up the views between the meadows. Invasive vegetation would be removed from the meadows. Other vegetation management practices, such as mowing, would be the same as in Alternative 2. The farm track would be restored to its historic agrarian character, and the Clifton Hill Walk would be restored in its approximate historic alignment (though the original width and surface of the path are unknown). The site furnishings would be treated the same as in Alternative 2, and maintained in their current condition. New benches would be placed in inconspicuous locations along the Clifton Hill Walk.

Lovers’ Lane Entrance (D.C. owned)

The National Park would explore securing a road closure and/or transfer of jurisdiction of Lovers’ Lane from the District of Columbia to gain control of access and management of the main entrance to Dumbarton Oaks Park. Park management could then restore and maintain the low stone wall between the lane and Montrose Park, and the stone gutter at the base of the Dumbarton Oaks Garden retaining wall. As in Alternatives 1 and 2, an entrance sign would be installed at the intersection of Lovers’ Lane and R Street, and an aesthetically pleasing gate would be placed at the top of Lovers’ Lane to deter through vehicular traffic. At the base of Lovers’ Lane, a limited number of handicapped parking spaces would be provided so handicapped visitors can park near the main Dumbarton Oaks Park entrance. Rampant vegetation would be routinely removed from the gutter system and the historic arching tree canopy along Lovers’ Lane would be maintained.

Beech Grove

A planting plan would be developed for the restoration of the Beech Grove, including the replanting of missing plantings such as the massings of mountain laurels in the understory, and the removal of invasive plants which compete with the historic vegetation. The path would be restored to its original appearance and narrower width. As in Alternative 2, an entrance sign and interpretive wayside with a site map would be placed outside the entrance gate to orient visitors. All other structural features, including the stone piers, wooden gates and stone retaining wall, would be stabilized.

Stream Valley

The detailed planting along the stream would be restored. This would include replacing missing trees, shrub massings, and drifts of herbaceous plants and bulbs along the path, maintaining the existing historic vegetation, and removing invasive vegetation. A planting plan would be based on Farrand’s original design intent and plant palette. Similar to Alternative 2, the stream path would be restored to its historic appearance based on photographic documentation, using appropriate materials that look historic and can withstand current use. The serpentine layout and narrow width of the trail are important characteristics to maintain and restore, as are such historic design features as thresholds, marker stones, and edging stones. Design solutions for a safe passage over the pebble stream would also be developed. An accessible route through the park would be provided. Part of the route would use the lower stream path (north side). A connection would be made to the farm track to provide a loop route back to the stone bridge. All historic structures and existing small-scale features would be restored and maintained, as in Alternative 2. Teak benches in the original style would be placed in historic locations along the stream path. The existing "Washington" bench at the Laurel Pool would be removed. If permission can be obtained from the artist and/or Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, a custom reproduction of the Unicorn Lady statue would be placed along the upper stream path on the site of the original statue.

Southern Slope

The main emphasis for the southern slope would be the restoration of the vegetation based on historic documentation. A planting plan would be developed to guide the restoration, including the replacement of missing trees, shrub massings, groundcovers, and drifts of herbaceous plants and bulbs. Historic vegetation would be maintained and invasive and non-contributing vegetation would be removed. Three of the connecting paths (the Forsythia Steps, the Hazel Walk, and the stepping-stone path) would be restored to their historic condition. It is not recommended that the iris path be restored, since the walk serves no use and no evidence remains. All other structural features would be restored to their historic appearance. The fence running along the property line between Dumbarton Oaks Park and Dumbarton Oaks Gardens would be replaced with a less visually intrusive fence. In cooperation with Dumbarton Oaks Gardens, designed views from the upper gardens down to the stream valley would be managed to emphasize the overall design intent and the relationship between the two parts of the historic landscape.

Designed Woodland