Washington Park Vegetation Renewal & Management Report

Over time, as the plantings of these areas of the park are renewed, invasive vegetation should be removed. Since these plants also are seed source for additional invaders, their removal should be accomplished in the short, rather than long-term. As progressive efforts toward recapturing the historic spatial organization and plantings move forward they will require the removal of non historic plantings. In each case these changes should be timed to coincide with the removal of diseased of dead plantings or their transplanting to other locations outside of Washington Park. For example, the spruce and hemlock grove on the west side of the Croquet Lawn is in generally fair to poor condition. As these trees die they should not be replaced and over time the area should be reopened to lawn with a few shade trees. The current use of this area for concerts can be relocated to the north or south end of the Croquet Lawn with a temporary stage set up for the crowd to be contained within the Croquet Lawn rectangle. This arrangement also allows for pedestrian circulation around the edge of the central rectangle.

These recommendations are based on the desire, over the long term to reinstate the spatial organization and vegetation qualities of the King Fountain and Croquet Lawn areas of Washington Park. They are intended to be implemented over a period of about forty years, with early projects addressing those areas that can be undertaken in the short term, with limited loss of existing plantings. Retention of remaining historic plantings is stressed, with replacement in kind as these decline. Efforts to reinstate park plantings will rely on a partnership of the private and public sectors and a commitment to make realistic, historically based choices that also incorporate financial, aesthetic, use and maintenance considerations.

Immediate opportunities to recapture the spatial organization of the King Fountain and Croquet Lawn are available in several areas. Several projects that are possible now are shown on the annotated plan on the next page. The plan highlights changes that would recapture portions of the Croquet Lawn and King Fountain vegetation palette in the short term. For example, the planting of the formal trees, fifteen on the north and south sides of the King Fountain, and six on the north side of the Croquet Lawn, could be accomplished. The removal of two Honey Locust trees that are in fair condition and show noticeable decline would be required on the Croquet Lawn.

Another aspect of the King Fountain that could be accomplished in the near future would be the reorganization of some garden beds to reflect their historic locations and forms. The reinstatement of the small corner beds, planted to Yucca and the three central beds for tulips and annual display are shown as initial projects. The plantings in these beds could reflect historic ones or be composed of modern annuals, but the spatial organization of the gardens would be reinstated in part. Also in the King Fountain, four evergreens, Pinus bungeana , are to be planted to complete the historic evergreen composition. The four triangle areas in the second tier are to be planted to flowering shrubs. PeeGee Hydrangea, Hydrangea paniculata . is located in one bed and should remain with the others planted to the match, providing a fall bloom. Two areas of ground cover planting are recommended as tests, in dense shade, partial shade and sun.