U.S. Travel:
National Park of the Week
The National Mall & Memorial Parks, where America and the World come to reflect, honor and celebrate, presents the symbols of our democratic evolution spread over 1,000 acres in the heart of our Nation’s Capitol.
As an urban oasis, the National Mall & Memorial Parks contributes significantly to the open expansive landscaped character of Washington, D.C.
Among 28 monuments and memorials, some 19,000 trees have been planted throughout the park, many beautifully reflected in prominent water-features such as the Lincoln Reflecting Pool and Constitution Gardens Lake.
Visitors to the National Mall & Memorial Parks witness historic moments in time like the dedication of the World War II Memorial where hundreds of thousands of veterans and members of America’s Greatest Generation poured into our Nation’s Capital. Thousands more were present for the State Funeral of former President Reagan, the annual National Independence Day Celebrations or the Smithsonian Folklife Festivals as well as the recent dedication of the National Museum of the American Indian. Every year, visitors take advantage of over 3,000 events ranging from parades to national days of tribute and observance to public demonstrations such as the Promise Keepers.
Park staffs distinguish themselves with unprecedented responsibility in managing multiple events, activities and programs all within a diverse park without boundaries. They serve as ambassadors to over 25 million national, international and local visitors and dignitaries each year. They further promote strong partnerships, progressive research, as well as unique park programs, experiences and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Every spring, the blooming of the 3,700 cherry trees throughout the National Mall & Memorial Parks has come to symbolize the nation's capital city surrounded in natural beauty. Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the nation and around the world come to witness this spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom during their visit as part of Cherry Blossom Festival -- Washington, D.C.'s rite of spring.
Natural Park Service Priorities
Preservation work is underway at both the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials ranging from creative strapping of volutes to masonry cleaning and repairs to new lighting systems. Security and landscape improvements have been completed at the Washington Monument and are underway at the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. A Visitor Transportation Study is currently considering a wide range of concepts for interpretive transportation to secure sustainable visitor access, interoperable with the local public transit system.
The park recently conducted two unique natural resource inventories designed to characterize the contribution of natural features to the urban environment. In response to increasing concerns about pollinator population decline, the first inventory determined what pollinator species resided in urban habitats. The second assessed and placed value to the urban forest managed by the park including world renowned tree populations that play a significant role in sustaining visual and environmental quality. Preliminary results indicated that the urban forest is in good condition and is worth over $35 million.
In conjunction with our partners and cooperating organizations, the park continues to realize its historical role as a vibrant public space as well as a grand natural setting for important ceremonial and recreational activities. Strong partnerships with organizations such as the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund have enhanced maintenance services in the “uptown” business and residential area and achieved improvements to the memorial lighting system. Throughout the park Eastern National stimulates visitor experiences by offering books and educational materials. The Ford’s Theatre Society continues to bring extraordinary performance to the National Historic Site.
