Sonny Bono Park
Interactive Park Map
About the Location
History and Establishment
Sonny Bono Park is a small pocket park located in Washington, D.C. at the intersection of 20th Street NW, New Hampshire Avenue NW, and O Street NW, near Dupont Circle. The park was established in 1998 as a memorial to entertainer and politician Sonny Bono, who died in a skiing accident that year.
The park was created by Geary Simon, a local real estate developer and friend of Sonny Bono, who adopted the previously neglected space through the District of Columbia's Adopt-a-Park program. Simon invested nearly $50,000 of his own money to transform the once-neglected space.
Features and Memorials
The park occupies a triangular traffic island measuring approximately 800 square feet (74 square meters). It features a bronze circular plaque at its entrance, which reads "In Memory of My Friend Sonny Bono 1935-1998" with the words "Entertainer, Entrepreneur, Statesman, Friend" circling the inscription.
Beneath this plaque is a vault containing Bono memorabilia, including sheet music for "The Beat Goes On," Bono's official Congressional cufflinks, and a mug from his restaurant chain.
Landscaping and Design
The park includes landscaping with Kentucky bluegrass, shrubbery, and a tree from Bono's California congressional district. Other features added during its creation included a sprinkler system, lighting, and benches.
While small in size, Sonny Bono Park serves as an unexpected tribute to the late entertainer and congressman in the heart of Washington, D.C. It offers passersby a quiet spot for reflection amidst the bustling Dupont Circle neighborhood.
