.webp?language=en-US)
Downtown DC Seeks Landscape Architects to Reimagine Seven Underused Pocket Parks
The DowntownDC BID is seeking firms to develop concepts, with four firms to receive $15,000 honoraria.
Seven small, underused public spaces in downtown Washington, D.C. could be getting a major rethink.
The DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) and DowntownDC Foundation are seeking landscape architecture and design firms to develop concepts for seven federally owned pocket parks throughout downtown. The initiative aims to transform the parks into more active, welcoming spaces that serve downtown D.C.’s growing residential population as well as workers, visitors, and other users. Proposals are due on October 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
The seven parks are organized into four groups: Herald Square, New York Ave Triangle, the Carnegie Twins, and the Bowties. The BID is looking for models that explore active recreation, new amenities, and other uses to move these parks beyond conventional passive green spaces. The BID hopes each park group can ultimately be realized through a capital campaign, with an anticipated construction budget of $250,000 to $1 million per group.
Four qualified design firms will be selected, each receiving a $15,000 honorarium to develop site-responsive concepts. Eligible applicants must be experienced landscape architectural design firms with comparable urban park experience in Washington, D.C., or similar North American locations, and must hold an active District of Columbia Basic Business License.
Firms may submit preferences for multiple park groups, ranking them in order of preference. The deadline for submissions is October 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. A site tour and informational session will be held on October 1, beginning at the Herald Square Pocket Parks.
The selected firms are expected to begin developing design concepts in January 2027, with stakeholder and public engagement planned for March and final design concepts due in April 2027.