Historic information about Book Hill Park

The current location of Book Hill Park and the Georgetown Public Library was once a reservoir.  In 1850 Congress voted to build a reservoir and it was completed in 1865. It was built because residents of DC had relied on springs, wells and rainwater cisterns for water. The design at the time was considered a “remarkable engineering feat” and the “most innovative city water system in the United States in the middle of the nineteenth Century.” The reservoir was demolished in 1932 in order to build the Georgetown Library. The original stone walls around the site, however, still exist. The trident symbol for Book Hill Park comes from trident decorations on the original reservoir structure. (Source: Capital Losses: A Cultural History of Washington’s Destroyed Buildings by James M. Goode)

Specific Activities and Events of The Friends of Book Hill Park

In 2000, the Friends of Book Hill Park was formed and there was a massive clean up effort, as described previously.

In 2001, fundraising began and professional bids were reviewed. Dead trees and shrubbery were removed and the park was professionally pruned. Structural improvements included brick sidewalks and a new lawn at the top of the hill.  Old benches were repaired and new ones installed. 

In 2002, The annual Fourth of July Doggie Parade and Show started. This all-American event, currently on hiatus but soon to return, is fun for the whole family. Prizes include longest tail, best trick, best costume, and of course, Best in Show! This tradition continued for years and was invariably resulted in photo on the front page of the Georgetown Current.

In 2003, the Japanese embassy donated cherry trees to the park.

In 2004, The friends collaborated with the Streetscape Design Project to renovate the entrance to the park. The efforts included new sidewalk treatments, replacement of cracked concrete at the entrance with flagstone, and plantings. In same year, the Friends were honored with the William Cochran Community Service Award by the Citizens Association of Georgetown (CAG). Around this time, our local merchants began to call themselves The Shops at Book Hill.  They appreciated our efforts to enhance the neighborhood and decided to build on the successful work of the Friends. Additional cheery trees were donated by the Japanese embassy.

In 2005, a major undertaking was the restoration of the 1963 cast iron fence that originally surrounded the reservoir. The entire fence needed to be sanded and painted. In addition, we refinished four panels of fencing that we found in the library’s basement and installed them along Reservoir Road.  Also, the DC Chapter of Colonial Dames of the Seventeenth Century placed a marker on the newly restored 1871 cast iron fence along Wisconsin Avenue.  In addition, through the generosity of the Georgetown Garden Club and Outerbridge Horsey, a sign was erected at the foot of the staircase.

In 2006 we received a large donation designated for plantings in the park and hired a professional horticulturist to prepare a long-term design. The result was a four-phase scheme (with phases I, II, III, and IV respectively comprising the following gardens: “Fall and Spring,” “Southern,” “Entrance” and Ground Cover”) with a total implementation cost of approximately $60,000. The scheme was designed to minimize the need for upkeep, particularly watering.

In 2007, the first phase, a “Fall and Spring Garden” on the side of the hill facing Wisconsin Avenue (where we lost tress during Hurricane Isabel) was completed.

In 2008, we completed the “Southern Garden” and the “Entrance Garden”.

In 2009, we planted a portion of Phase IV, the “Ground Cover Garden” as we as three Magnolia trees.

In 2010, original pieces of the original trident fencing were found in the library basement. They were refurbished, painted and installed along the Reservoir Road side of the park.

In 2011, as we had done for a number of years, we planted 500 daffodil bulbs in a family friendly community event, in order to replace bulbs that were lost or stolen (yes, stolen) over the previous year.

In 2013, funds were raised to reproduce the trident fence to complete the fence along Reservoir Road. In addition, the Friends group received the “Georgetowners of the Year” award by the Georgetowner Magazine.

In 2015, funds were raised for the replacement of benches and new plantings in the upper tier circle.

In 2018, we started our Instagram account and we hosted the spectacular Georgetown Glow.

In 2019, working with the Urban Forestry Division we 10 tress pruned and 4 large ash trees removed due to Emerald Ash Borer.

In 2023, Christmas Tree lighting for the Georgetown community held at the park, sponsored by Georgetown Mainstreet.

In 2024, Christmas Tree lighting for the Georgetown community held at the park, sponsored by Georgetown Mainstreet.

In 2025, our 25^th anniversary, we are raising funds to maintain and paint the historic Trident Fence.

Every year the Friends raise funds to maintain the park, including plantings, watering, pruning, and mowing. Although we hold community clean ups, keeping the park looking cared for requires constant maintenance. Please support our effort to keep Book Hill Park and Georgetown looking beautiful.

The Friends of Book Hill Park is a 501(c)(3) organization and we welcome all donations. Thanks!