The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

Fort Mahan Park

Your Guide

Fort Mahan Park is located in the northeast Washington D.C. and was built in 1861 to defend the Benning Bridge on the Anacostia River during the Civil War. This was part of a 37-mile system of forts that formed a ring of protection around Washington D.C. The fort was named after West Point professor Dennis Hart Mahan, whose published writings guided the design of forts throughout D.C. Today Fort Mahan is part of a network of forts reclaimed as a system of open space parks weaving throughout the city.

Fort Mahan is a round hill with a flat crown and steep slopes on all sides. The elevation changes approximately 80 feet while a winding trail navigates around the forested slopes leading to a large level grass clearing at the top. A series of rifle pits carved into the hillsides provided additional defense for the fort and can still be seen around the site today.

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A Natural Entrance

The south side of Fort Mahan Park along Benning Road is a natural entrance to the site. The sloping, open lawns, large shade trees, and clear site lines across the park draw people in from the surrounding neighborhoods to use the paths along the open perimeters.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-002

The Loop Trail

Following the meandering path in a clockwise direction, the loop trail soon transitions from an open, sunny walk to a shady trail within a forest that only offers dappled light through the canopy trees. The sounds also change as nature begins to drown out the urban hustle.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-003

Earthworks

Engineered mounding earthworks that once served as rifle pits to protect the fort remain tucked into the hillsides. The surrounding forest has reclaimed the defense system over time, and now they only offer visual protection from the urban surroundings.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-004

An Ecosystem

Nature’s ability to transform and heal an environment is amazing. Volunteer trees that have pushed through the tough compacted terrain now create habitats for other living organisms within the forest ecosystem. Low groundcover offers an opportunity to leave the paved trail to explore the rifle pits.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-005

Trails Split

Along the west slope of the park, the trails changes from the hard asphalt path to gravel and compacted dirt trails. Moments occur when the trails split and you have to make a decision on your direction of travel. Instinct directs you to head up to the top to discover what will be revealed. Visually you feel like you are miles away, tucked deep inside a forest, but the thunder of the nearby trains is a reminder of your proximity to the inner city.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-006

A Diverse Population

The plant habitats are very diverse, changing as you travel around the hillside. This promotes a diverse population of animals, birds, insects, and other living creatures. Fern- and moss-covered rocky ground can be found below the shady understory of dense canopy trees, while thick, lush shrubs thrive in open clearings that allow more light to touch the ground.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-007

Dramatic Slopes

Dramatic slopes along the east hillside reveal hints of the clearing at the top of the hill. Navigating off the path to the top remains a physical challenge so the walk continues to follow the designated path that is rich with the sights and sounds of the forest.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-008

Intrigue

The main entrance on the east provides a gravel uphill trail that leads to the top of the hill. As you climb, the forest seems to close around you, triggering more intrigue about what you will find when you reach the opening at the end.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-009

Exposed

Walking out onto the hilltop you find a vast open low-cut grassy area, completely surrounded on all sides by tall canopy trees. Walking around the perimeter there are no other trail access points from which to exit, only informal escapes where vegetation is low growing. From within you feel completely removed from the city. Yet the exposure felt being in the middle of this space is a daunting feeling.

Image: Adrienne McCray FM-010

Sweeping Lawns

The path on the south east side of the site along 42nd Street hugs the edge of the forest, providing visual connections to the surrounding urban neighborhood. Sweeping lawns become extended front yards for the houses facing the park.

Image: Adrienne McCray