A perimeter fence will soon be posted around downtown D.C.’s Franklin Park, closing off public access to the nearly 5-acre square as its reconstruction gets underway.

The District’s Department of General Services will lead the roughly 12-month, $18 million project to restore the crumbling National Park Service-owned space, bounded by 13th, 14th, K and Eye streets NW. Smoot Construction Co. of D.C. is the general contractor.

Work is scheduled to begin July 1, the Downtown D.C. Business Improvement District announced Tuesday. Under its arrangement with the D.C. government, the BID will oversee the park and its programming once the work is complete.

The D.C.-funded project will include restoring the tree canopy and soil, curbing rat infestations, relocating paths, installing an interactive fountain, children’s play area and new lighting, and constructing a 2,100-square-foot cafe and pavilion, complete with warming kitchen and public restrooms. The statue of John Barry, father of…