Lady Bird Johnson Park (Columbia Island)

Lady Bird Johnson Park is a unique landscape situated on an island in the Potomac River near Washington, D.C. Originally known as Columbia Island, it was renamed in 1968 to honor First Lady Claudia "Lady Bird" Johnson, who championed efforts to beautify America's landscapes.

The park spans the entire island, offering visitors scenic views of the Washington, D.C. skyline and serving as a tranquil escape from the bustling city. It is part of the George Washington Memorial Parkway and plays a significant role in the symbolic entrance to the nation's capital.

The island's terrain is characterized by undulating lawns interspersed with groupings of deciduous and evergreen trees, many of which are native species. These plantings frame picturesque views for both motorists and pedestrians traversing the park. In spring, the park comes alive with thousands of daffodils and flowering dogwoods, a legacy of the 1960s Beautification Program initiated during the Johnson administration.

Lady Bird Johnson Park is home to two notable memorials. The Navy-Marine Memorial, an aluminum sculpture depicting seagulls flying over a curling wave, honors sailors lost at sea. The Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove, added in the 1970s, features a secluded meadow, a white pine grove, and an open plaza with a large stone monolith, offering a place for quiet reflection.

The park is traversed by a complex system of roadways, including ten bridges, many faced with granite. The Mount Vernon Trail runs along the river side of the island, providing a connection for cyclists and joggers. On the western boundary, the narrow Boundary Channel and the artificial Columbia Lagoon define the park's edges, with the small Columbia Marina situated on the eastern shore of the basin.