Constitution Gardens, a 45-acre park located between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument, honors the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence and provides a scenic spot with wildlife and landscaped gardens for visitors to the National Mall, and other nearby areas.
Constitution Gardens encompasses a manmade lake and island, land that was originally submerged beneath the Potomac River and was dredged at the beginning of the 20th century by the Army Corp of Engineers. It was used for offices and munitions storage during World War I, but these buildings were demolished in 1970, and Constitution Gardens was dedicated in 1976 as a "living legacy American Revolution Bicentennial tribute." In 1982, the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence Memorial was dedicated on the small island in the lake. The same year saw the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, also within Constitution Gardens.
The gardens feature approximately 5,000 oak, maple, dogwood, elm and crabapple trees with paths throughout, and is open 24 hours a day.
Attraction Information
- Hours:
- 24 hours
- Rangers for this area may be found at the nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial between the hours of 9:30am to 11:30pm daily.
- Admission:
- Free
- Metro Stop:
- Blueline or Orangeline to the Smithsonian Station
- Contact:
- Location: 900 Ohio Drive SW, Washington DC
- Phone: 202-426-6841
- Website: www.nps.gov
