The Vegetation of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Central Section: Alexandria to Arlington Memorial Bridge, Cultural Landscape Report, George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service
Kelsch P, Miller A, Mills I, Swallow J. 2009. The Vegetation of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, Central Section: Alexandria to Arlington Memorial Bridge, Cultural Landscape Report, George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Park Service. Cultural Landscape Report. NPS National Capital Regional Office. National Capital Regional Office
This report is an analysis of the historical integrity of vegetation along the George Washington Memorial Parkway focused on the central section of the Parkway between Old Town Alexandria and Memorial Bridge. Historical planting plans are compared with historical and current aerial photographs and direct field observation in order to determine what vegetation was planted, what remains today, and the degree to which the current conditions conform to historical plans. The original 1932 planting plan by Wilbur Simonson is examined to discern the character he intended for the vegetation and how that character has changed due to subsequent planting and other changes. Existing views are analyzed and depicted as a sequential narrative that physically and visually connects places important in Washington’s life and legacy. Current views are compared with views identified on the 1932 planting plan to see how they have changed due to other changes to the Parkway and its vegetation. Based on this analysis, recommendations are made for future management that will preserve and rehabilitate particular plantings, spatial relationships, and views. Due to the different scales of the investigation, various methodologies were applied depending on the segment of the landscape being studied and the subject of the investigation. In general, the analysis focuses on three major areas. The first is construction of a vegetative “palimpsest” (a layered, composite map) based on the historical chronology of the plantings. The second is a comparison of the intended effects of the original plantings with those of later plantings and current conditions. The third involves documenting and comparing the visual experience of driving the Parkway today with the views indicated on the 1932 Planting Plan. To analyze the intended effects of the 1932 plan, vegetation is color-coded by genus to identify patterns. Critical segments are examined in more detail, especially where there was intricate planting. Vegetation is categorized as follows: shade trees, medium size trees, ornamental trees, evergreens, shrubs, vines, groundcovers, and perennials. An extensive matrix documents the species and quantities of each that were proposed in all the plans in the southern and central sections. Though it is unclear if these are the actual numbers planted, the matrix depicts the plant palette used and how it has changed over time. Panoramic photographs are used to study views and spatial sequences along the Parkway. These are arranged as “storyboards” to explain the visual story or narrative that unfolds as one drives along the Parkway. The role of vegetation in shaping that narrative is discussed in each view. The directions and extent of these views are noted on aerial photographs and compared with those that are marked on the 1932 planting plan to determine the degree to which the current views and sequential experience reflect the historical views and experience.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Kelsch, Paul; Miller, Annalisa; Mills, Irene; Swallow, Jayce
- Date of Issue
- 2009-08
- Publisher
- NPS National Capital Regional Office
- Units
- GWMP , NCR
- Keywords
- causeways, deciduous shade trees, Lady Bird Johnson, legacy, Mt. Vernon, pilgrimage route, Potomac River, symmetrical planting, Vegetation, Virginia, Wilbur Simonson
- Subjects
- CRIS-CL: 600170: George Washington Memorial Parkway - North , CRIS-CL: 600245: Lady Bird Johnson Park , CRIS-CL: 600246: LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac , CRIS-CL: 600247: Memorial Avenue corridor