facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The National Zoo was consciously designed and laid out by a master gardener, landscape architect, architect, or horticulturist to a design principle; The National Zoo is associated with historical trends and events defining the growth of zoos as a conservation area, versus continuing the tradition of a menagerie type of exhibition, typical of the time period; and The National Zoo set the standard for other zoos in terms of its design features, significantly enhancing theory of landscape architecture. Further guidance concerning specific characteristics of cultural landscapes can be found in National Register Bulletin No. 30, Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Rural Historic Landscapes. The following list of characteristics contains those items, which pertain to the National Zoo in defining its current historic landscape: Land uses and activities Patterns of spatial organization Response to the natural environment Circulation networks Vegetation related to land use Buildings, structures, and objects Archeological sites Small-scale elements The interplay of these elements adds to the depth and intricacy of the National Zoo as a cultural landscape. The land use and associated activities have been associated with the National Zoo for over one-hundred years. The patterns of the spatial organization relate to how the National Zoo was originally laid out – the paths and the cluster of buildings constructed on the relatively flat portion of the parcel – are in turn a response to the natural environment. Moreover, with more than 100 years of the public circulating the site in various ways to view the animals and exhibits, the National Zoo has transformed from horse and buggy paths to fully modern roads, parking lots, bus stops, and the various walking paths including the Olmsted Walk. These physical aspects of the landscape, the roads, the paths, the facilities, and how they work together constitutes a rich interaction between people, animals, and the surrounding vegetation that forms the National Zoo. The original plan as devised by Olmsted that currently survives as part of the cultural landscape includes: Integration of existing topography, views, and woodland vegetation into the site design; Portions of the alignment of Olmsted’s primary circulation route that formed the original spine of the National Zoo’s master plan now survive in these portions of the Olmsted Walk (1) between the Rock Creek entrance and the Reptile House; (2) between the Small Mammal House and the Elephant House; and (3) the curve between the Elephant House and the Cheetah exhibit; and Pastoral recreational use of the banks of Rock Creek, and the hillside below the knoll. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 62 | P a g e
FACILITIES MASTER PLAN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Outside of the Olmsted plan, other cultural landscape features include the small-scale features such as stone entry piers and gates, and sculptures that were erected during the period of significance that are interspersed throughout the park (Tumbling Bears 1935 and Bronze Anteater 1938). Circulation features include the Valley Trail, and the National Zoo Staff Drive. Spatial features such as the open lawn for outdoor events and the picnic areas add an expansive feeling to the site in comparison to the winding, wooded paths. Buildings and structures are components of the cultural landscape as well including the stone retaining walls near the Holt House and the stone flood gates near the Rock Creek corridor. Impacts to Cultural Landscapes No-Action Alternative Under the No-Action Alternative, small scale site improvements would continue for site improvements, building rehabilitation, and facilities updates related to safety, health, and maintenance. There would be only minor changes to the landscape that would not diminish the integrity of the cultural landscape. The No-Action would have no impacts on the cultural landscape of the National Zoo. Alternative A Under Alternative A, facility improvements would result in revitalization of older exhibits including renovation of exhibits, revitalization of entrances into the National Zoo, installation of new transportation facilities and construction of new administrative facilities. These improvements could have physical and visual impacts to the cultural landscape features of the National Zoo. As a result, Alternative A could result in direct and indirect, long-term, moderate adverse impacts to cultural landscapes. Under Section 106, Alternative A would have an adverse effect. SI has initiated consultation with the Washington, DC Historic Preservation Office through the Section 106 process. As a result of this consultation, a programmatic agreement will be sought that identifies future review requirements and mitigation to be employed during project development. Future design would consider ways to minimize impacts to the cultural landscape. Projects under Alternative A that could have an adverse effect to cultural landscapes include: Creation of new larger multi-species exhibit areas; Revitalization of entries at Connecticut Avenue, Mid-Point entry, and Harvard Street Bridge/Beach Drive with the addition of a new aerial tram; Transportation improvements including construction of two traffic circles and the separation of visitor and service vehicle traffic; and Construction of a new administrative, support, and operations hub. The creation of new larger, multi-species exhibit areas will physically impact the cultural landscape components of the National Zoo. New exhibit spaces may cause changes to the land use and activities, patterns of spatial organization, and circulation networks of the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION – NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 63 | P a g e
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facilities renewal master plan - National Zoo - Smithsonian Institution

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