Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, West Plaza + Grounds

WASHINGTON DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

The rehabilitation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and surrounding grounds was undertaken to help one of the country’s most recognized civic landscapes better accommodate contemporary use while preserving its historic character. The project addressed heavy visitation, improved accessibility and security, and renewed the pedestrian experience along the Reflecting Pool through upgraded paths, seating, lighting, and carefully integrated site elements.

Aerial view of a large park with a lake, walking paths, and green open spaces surrounded by trees and urban infrastructure.
A digital rendering showing people walking on a grassy area with architectural blueprint lines overlaid.
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., viewed from the steps leading up to it, with people walking and sitting around on a clear day.
A park with colorful autumn trees, a curved concrete bench, and a paved walking path during daytime.
A woman sitting in a rectangular concrete sunken seat in a park, wearing sunglasses, a white coat, and black boots, with a coffee cup on her lap. In the background, there are trees with fall foliage, a pathway with a couple walking with a stroller, a
The Lincoln Memorial illuminated at dusk, reflected in the reflecting pool with the Elm Walks on either side of the reflecting pool illuminated from new lighting - exposing a safe route and highlighting security enhancements.

A major component of the work also focused on long-term resilience and water performance. Improvements to the Reflecting Pool reduced reliance on potable water and introduced a more sustainable approach to water management by bringing water in from the Potomac River nearby, helping this heavily visited national landscape function more effectively in the years since this was completed.

An aerial view of a modern urban park with paved walkways, green trees, benches, and landscaped areas. Two people are walking along a pathway near the bottom left.
Lynn Wyatt Square for the Performing Arts