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McPherson Square
Rating Details »
- Nearest Transit:
-
McPherson Sq (Blue, Orange)
Metro Center (Red, Blue, Orange)
- Good for Kids:
- No
5 reviews for McPherson Square
Yes, it is the forgoten step-sister (grass and maintenance quality) to Farr Square next door and 2 Starbucks can be either a positive or a negative, but the ducks can seen as charming, the shade trees as lovely, and the many benches as useful.
Look closer, especially in winter or while walking around the edges, and you'll notice recently renovated/redone buildings on the SE corner and historic details on facades about 3/4 of the way N on both sides. The CVS on the NW corner offers local artwork in the display windows as well.
Partial thought: Parks are luxuries some cities can't afford.
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I was meeting a friend for dinner at Georgia Brown's and sat in McPherson Square while I waited for her.
I adore feeding birds (more specifically ducks)...but I have to admit, I was creeped out by the number of birds in this square that were running around, flying close over my head and nearly pecking at my ankles. Seagulls, ducks, pigeons, sparrows, etc... it was a bit much. And they kept going in swarms as the homeless would toss out more food for them.
Plus there was the scary guy who started yelling at me...
Ya, I don't think I'd sit on a bench here again - I'd go back to Franklin Square, 1 block away.
As someone who works on 13th and H I still don't fully understand McPherson Square. As Trish pointed out, its situated between expensive, high end restaurants and yet much of the area is occupied by homeless with nowhere else to go. In the winter they own that square but as the weather starts to warm up more you will see more and more workers from the area hanging out in the square for lunch but they are always cautious to maintain their distance from the actual homeless people.
In general though this entire area, like much of "downtown" DC is pretty bland and characterless with boring standard glass and beige buildings abound.
I find this square so interesting. It's sandwiched between two fancy restaurants, yet the homeless have decided to set up camp here. And people are fully aware of this. In fact while I was there, there were student groups handing out food and socks and trying to chat up some of the people there. Not too sure what Maxwell S. was talking about when he said that the square was a "magnet for schizophrenics". Maybe they were on vacay because I didn't encounter any. Unless of course, he was implying that homeless should be synonymous with schizophrenic.
After a reception my students came back to give the homeless our extra food. Many were all about it, but some said they didn't accept such donations. All were gracious. Also, there's a guy around here, and I don't know if he's a regular, that sells postcards. He was really cool and for one dollar he sold us all 5-6 postcards.
The square itself is okay. I feel like people always throw the word square or park on every patch of green so that they can dedicate it. I actually can't picture myself sitting here and eating lunch because of all the birds (except faux hawk Max in the pictures).
McPherson Square is situated amidst the hustle and bustle of K St. Although it is a magnet for the homeless and schizophrenics, the park has some nice benches to hang out and enjoy your lunch on during your lunch hour.