Any water feature in this parcel will be a maintenance nightmare and will not be suitable for use by children. Since it's only purpose would be decorative, I suggest replacing it with a sculpture.
The play area for children should include a zero-depth splash pad designed for children age 6 and under. Standard play equipment (slides, ladders, etc.) should be installed for use by these young children.
I hope any final plan will include better lighting in this parcel.
I frequently cross this parcel from 8th and Pennsylvania headed toward 7th and South Carolina. You've eliminated a direct path (which, not incidentally, also eliminates the line of one of L'Enfant's original boulevards).
Children (and the homeless) are the primary users of this parcel, and I am delighted to see that the designs are focused on creating a permanent play space for children.
the idea of buidling a mini capitol hill here is just ridiculous. Kids climbing all over a miniature replica of the capital building? A periscope?! Come on! We need a bigger library, not some weird snail toy for privileged toddlers with nannies.
I cannot believe that WMATA would approve a bioswale on top of its tunnels. This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.
fountains are often broken and/or dirty. Is this where funds should really go?
I think putting the fountain away from the metro entrance makes more sense. Thought having it near a road with kids running around might not be the best either.
As a biker, the crosswalk extensions make it really obnoxious to bike next to cars.