915.1 There are many great spaces for people in Washington, DC, such as Columbia Heights Plaza, Friendship (Turtle) Park, and Yards Park, but the vast majority of small parks and plazas are underused spaces that don't fully serve the recreational or social needs of residents. This is most evident in the design of Metrorail (Metro) stations; a survey of Metro stations (shown in Map 9.4) reveals that only 45 percent have plazas that feature critical elements such as benches or artwork. It is vital that public spaces are designed to invite people to linger and share experiences. Safety, comfort, and pleasure are the key qualities present in all great public spaces and essential conditions for unlocking the potential of small parks and plazas and creating a vibrant public life. As new neighborhoods are built or existing public spaces are improved, these design parameters should be consulted to encourage socializing and recreating in the District's open spaces

915.2 Map 9.4: Metrorail Stations with Plazas

Provide places for neighborhood public life through the creation of public plazas at existing Metro stations or urban squares in new development. Encourage the activation of such spaces through the design of adjacent structures, including the location of shop entrances, window displays, awnings, and outdoor dining areas.

915.4 Policy UD-3.3.2: Small Parks for Recreation Leverage small parks, including triangle parks, linear parks, and medians, to serve as places for recreation, community gathering, and play by encouraging greater resident and community design and management of these spaces through grant and partnership programs.915.5 Policy UD-3.3.3: Plazas for Diverse Uses Design plazas to accommodate physical activities like dancing or ball play, passive activities like sitting and chess, and cultural events like concerts, exhibits, and historical celebrations. Plazas can also provide space for cafe-style seating and farmers markets. When programming plazas, consider the needs of users with varying mobility levels.915.6 Policy UD-3.3.4: Plaza Design for Weather Conditions Design plazas to include sunny areas protected from the wind for use in the colder seasons, shaded areas for use in hot, sunny weather, and slick-proof surfaces with excellent drainage for storm events to facilitate year-round use.915.7 Policy UD-3.3.5: Design for Safety Design parks and plazas to promote safety from crime and injury through clear sightlines in and out of public spaces, maintaining a state of good repair of sidewalks and pathways, encouraging community stewardship, and inviting evening use through programming and well-designed lighting.915.8 Action UD-3.3.A: Cross-Agency Small Parks Partnership Program Develop a community partnership program that includes the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT), the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), and the DC Department of General Services (DGS) to improve and activate small parks through a combination of landscaping, recreation amenities, signage, and street design that contributes to neighborhood recreation, definition, and identity.915.9 Action UD-3.3.B: Small Park Management Work with NPS to transfer, lease, exchange and/or enter into cooperative agreements or partnerships of key small parks in NPS's jurisdiction as well as the District's jurisdiction to enhance community use, programming, and stewardship.915.10 Action UD-3.3.C: Design Standards for Public Space Design Create public space design guidelines for District-controlled parks and plazas that highlight designing for diverse cultural uses, placemaking, and socializing.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).