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| BID Programs > Public Space Improvements > Park Revitalization Program Park Revitalization Program
"It is no exaggeration to say that the parks of Washington are among the most beautiful in the world.'' The City of Washington, published by The Washington Post, 1903. Essential to restoring Downtown's sense of place are its parks. Although some are cherished and superbly maintained, many parks in Washington suffer from a lack of funding, maintenance and planning. A new infusion of thought, talent, money and effort is needed to return our public realm to world-class status. The Downtown BID has embarked on a campaign to encourage all those responsible for designing, managing and maintaining these spaces to take action to affect their coordinated improvement. For Downtown to maintain its preeminence, there must be greater investment in its public places. Particular priorities are Mt. Vernon Square, McPherson Square and Franklin Square at the heart of the Downtown Business District. 
Park Revitalization ProgramParks have a direct effect on our city's economic, environmental, social, cultural and visual well-being: Squares and parks are vital to the city economy. Visitors and businesses come to Washington in part for the quality of its historic buildings, parks and open spaces. Well-managed squares and parks enhance the working environment and encourage business. One need look no further than Bryant Park in New York to sense the positive impact a well-run park can have on its environs. Parks provide prestigious settings for offices, hotels and especially for residential development. As the city aggressively seeks more residents and the advantages of inner-city living become more apparent, parks offer a fundamental amenity to complement apartment and condo living, as well as a fine example of how to combine high-density urban residential development with a high quality environment to form the focus of sustainable neighborhoods. Parks have an important social role. In commercial areas, they provide an oasis where office workers can relax and talk. In residential areas, through their use as a communal gathering and meeting place, parks promote a community spirit that is often lacking in modern life. Parks, squares and circles are a unique and essential part of the cityscape. At their best, they unify architecture, street plan and open space seamlessly. They act as punctuation points, breaking up the dense grain of the city and making it more human in scale. Parks offer a home to the trees, plants and animals that link city dwellers to the natural world and the changing rhythm of the seasons. As a part of the natural environment, parks add in a small but significant path to biodiversity. Although rarely large enough to provide a substantial habitat, many parks are a sanctuary for wildlife and form links in the ecological chain. Solving problems within Downtown parks will involve organizing combined federal and local, public and private efforts to rethink and re-energize Downtown's parks. Such efforts require capital investments, and commitment to long-term maintenance and upkeep by adopting the following design principles and guidelines:
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