Come Meet a Friend: New Furniture Along Wisconsin

More than 40 new planters and dozens of bistro chairs, small tables, and Adirondack seating are out along Wisconsin Avenue at six locations. The Alliance heard through our initial community engagement earlier this year that people wanted: places to sit down, softened edges in the public realm, more flowers and landscaping, and places to meet or take their dogs.

Simply installing high-quality, brightly colored furniture and flowers in the public realm fulfills all of these goals in a small way, and we have more work planned throughout the neighborhood and extending into Maryland. Stay tuned, and tag @friendshipheightsalliance when you post a photo of yourself enjoying a seat.

Tulips

The cherry blossoms are in bloom all around DC, which means tulips are almost here! The Friendship Heights Alliance is planning updated greenery in our 40+ planters throughout the neighborhood, and also planted hundreds of tulips in the Pepco landscape bed at Wisconsin and Ingomar. Snap your own photos of the tulips as they emerge, and tag us on social @friendshipheightsalliance! Flowers and greenery soften the public realm and encourage people to linger.

Planters

The Friendship Heights Alliance placemaking team installed 50 planters and a series of bistro tables over the past few weeks, mostly on the Maryland side. The DC installation happened a few months ago. In addition, planters were installed from Garrison Street to Fessenden Street NW, down to the northern border of Tenleytown Main Street. Using planters along the corridor softens the public realm, bringing bright flowers and calming plants into the neighborhood – a key request from constituents. Installing bistro tables and chairs is part of our efforts to create places to linger, enjoy, and meet a friend – another request from neighborhood stakeholders. 

Mural at Crunch Fitness

Jenifer & 43rd Median 

What is Placemaking? 

Per Wikipedia, "Placemaking is a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and management of public spaces. Placemaking capitalizes on a local community's assets, inspiration, and potential, with the intention of creating public spaces that improve urban vitality and promote people's health, happiness, and well-being."

What’s Next? 

The Alliance team is working on future phases of our long-term placemaking plan, and working with property owners to improve tree boxes and sidewalk areas throughout the neighborhood. In addition,