
Washington Monument Ideas Competition
The National Mall Coalition originated the idea for an open public competition for the Washington Monument grounds in our 2009 “Renewing American Democracy on the 3rd Century Mall” report. The National Ideas Competition for the Washington Monument Grounds took place, in a three-step process, from 2010 to 2012. Our purpose was to encourage the American public — ages 12 and up — to learn about Mall history and propose creative ideas for re-imagining the unfinished 65-acre open space around the great obelisk.
Given the challenge to make this vast expanse truly the centerpiece of the Mall it was intended to be while also advancing the Mall’s historic planning legacy, one of six winners Stephen Lederach envisioned a lush landscape of shade trees and water elements. Learn more about the Ideas Competition here.

To learn in greater depth about the sponsors, juries, and open competition process, and to view all the submissions and winners, please visit the Ideas Competition website at http://www.wamocompetition.org/.