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Each year, 3-5 million visitors come to the United States Capitol. As they arrive, they pass detailed sculptural walls, trees carefully planted to provide visitors the best views of the Capitol, plantings that commemorate Americans throughout history, and walkways that appear on the $50 bill. The United States Capitol Grounds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (also known for designing Central Park and the National Zoo), are as important to American history as the Capitol building itself. By 1877, 7,837 plants and trees been set out according to Olmsted's plan.
As additional buildings were added in support of the Capitol, facilities such as the Library of Congress or the congressional office buildings, the grounds were enlarged as well. From Olmsted's original 58-acre design the Capitol Grounds have grown to approximately 274 acres. Some of that area has been developed into parkland, most notably the Senate Park that stretches from Capitol Square to Union Station to the north. This and other landscapes give the Capitol Campus a dignified and varied setting. +Read More |
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There are 8 miles of sidewalks throughout the Capitol Campus.
Approximately 90 acres of turf-grass and another 30 acres in landscape beds adorn the Grounds.
50,000 – 70,000 annual flowers and 70,000 tulips and spring bulbs are planted each year.
The grounds include 4,200 trees of which about 150 are memorial trees planted by Members of Congress.
Approximately 3,000 yards of mulch are spread across the grounds each year. |
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