While today the Fort Circle Parks are largely unknown and generally neglected, the overarching fact is that they are, indeed, still here. The views from the former hilltop fortifications are spectacular. Equally impressive are the views of them, from nearly every part of the District of Columbia. Although never completed, starting in the 1930s the federal government acquired substantial amounts of the land for the proposed Fort Circle Drive. Together, the fortifications and linking parklands create a magnificent curtain of green, a natural backdrop that softens the edges of our national capital. They provide respite and recreation for neighborhoods throughout the city. And they contain treasure troves of nature and history that can enrich the lives of residents and visitors alike.