Come Meet a Friend: New Furniture Along Wisconsin

The Alliance heard through our initial community engagement in 2022 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. The Alliance worked with property owners and a local landscaping firm to install more than 100 planters along Wisconsin Avenue, along with dozens of bistro chairs, small tables, and Adirondack seating.

Using planters along the corridor softens the public realm, bringing bright flowers and calming plants into the neighborhood – a key request from constituents. Installing high-quality, brightly colored furniture is part of our efforts to create places to linger, enjoy, and meet a friend. Placemaking is part of

Tag @friendshipheightsalliance when you post a photo of yourself enjoying a seat. 

Tulips

Each spring, the Friendship Heights Alliance is adding more color and a fresh dose of inspiration with hundreds of colorful tulips – a nod to the vibrancy and hope of our visual identity and tulip logo, as well. 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.

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.