Landscape architecture studio James Corner Field Operations have been appointed to “restore, reimagine and revitalise” a one-mile stretch of Washington D.C’s historic Chesapeake and Ohio National Historical Park.

The practice will work with local group Georgetown Heritage and the National Park Service to masterplan a section of the park focused around a canal network. The park’s locks, towpath, plazas, stones, landscaped areas and street crossings will be improved to “maximise the park’s immense educational, recreational and aesthetic potential.”

The design team, which also includes MakeDC, Robert Silman Associates, ETM Associates and Dharam Consulting, will hold public consultations to develop a Georgetown Canal Plan, which is the first phase for a wider multi-year restoration programme.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for Washington D.C., and the Georgetown community to create a transformative public space that blends historic architecture with rich landscapes to create a world-class and unique destination in the heart of the neighbourhood,” said James Corner, founder and director of James Corner Field Operations.

“The Georgetown section of the site should be a landmark park for everyone, a lively centre for social gatherings, a continuous link for recreation and contemplation, a connector of neighbourhoods and networks and a model for urban livability and human health and wellbeing.”

Alison Greenberg, executive director of Georgetown Heritage, added: “The James Corner Field Operations team brings exceptional ingenuity, boundless energy and extensive experience partnering with cities, parks and community groups to create stunning, lively spaces that reflect each site’s distinct character and maximize its potential to engage people of all ages and cultures.”

Corner’s studio are best known for their large-scale public realm projects, including the High Line in New York, Chicago’s Navy Pier, and the ongoing Miami Underline. The landscape architect, who is interviewed in the forthcoming issue of CLADmag, recently claimed that well-designed public spaces are essential for promoting tolerance, wellbeing and democracy.