in 1901, the senate park commission (with its mcmillan plan) undertook a set of formal changes to washington's civic appearance, most famously by reconfiguring the city's national mall. the commission also decided, with mary's input, that a park on meridian hill was appropriate, and proceeded to plan for its creation. mary, strong-willed, intelligent, vigorous and well-connected, very much championed the park. later, throughout the many years of park construction, she lobbied congress to maintain the flow of funding necessary to complete the project.