Washington City Paper on Pershing Park Re-Design

The Washington City Paper architecture columnist recently wrote about plans to redesign Pershing Park, a park planned and designed by modernist architect Paul M. Friedberg with plantings designed by OvS in the 1980’s.In January 2016, architect Joseph Weishaar won a design competition held by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to turn the park into a national memorial. His design, The Weight of Sacrifice, calls for demolition of the present park, pool, and fountains.

The City Paper article recommends the goals and parameters of the project be reconsidered and said “there is ample room in Pershing Park for a new memorial and a thoughtful restoration of Friedberg’s design.”

OvS, along with The Cultural Landscape Foundation and the National Park Service, has recommended that the park be placed on the National Register of Historic Places and has have voiced opposition to the park’s destruction.