Article

Caring for every park: National Park Service steps up to keep D.C. safe and beautiful for all

An NPS maintenance worker stands aloft in a cherry picker and uses a pressure washer to scrub a stone globe with eagles surrounding it, flanked by a large US flag.
An NPS maintenance worker from the National Mall and Memorial Parks cleans the monument in Columbus Circle, July 8, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Two men in NPS uniforms pick up litter among a set of picnic benches in the shade.
National Park Service staff clear litter from a picnic area at Anacostia Park in Washington, DC, June 22, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

From sunrise on the National Mall to twilight along the Anacostia River, National Park Service crews are rolling up their sleeves with a clear, visible promise: every national park deserves to be safe, beautiful and welcoming for all.

National parks in the National Capital Region are experiencing a powerful wave of renewal from power-washing monuments and scrubbing benches to removing invasive plants and deepening community connections through partnerships with the District of Columbia, friends groups and philanthropic supporters. It’s an enduring commitment to both the cherished NPS spaces and the vibrant communities of Washington, DC.

“Washington isn’t just the capital, it’s a city of neighborhoods, and these national parks are part of the daily lives of the people who live here,” National Capital Parks – East Chief of Maintenance Jerome Bussey said. “Yes, urban national parks are for sightseeing, but they’re also where folks walk their dogs, take their kids to play and find some peace in the middle of a busy city. When we take care of these spaces, we’re investing in the community and honoring our shared history.”

A man in NPS uniform scrubs a concrete floor by hand.
Rock Creek Park Resources, Lands and Planning Manager Nick Bartolomeo removes graffiti at Carter Barron Amphitheater in Washington, DC, June 17, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

From graffiti to greatness

In recent weeks, NPS crews have restored sites across the region by removing graffiti from landmarks like the Carter Barron Amphitheater and sites along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. These cleanups aren’t just cosmetic— they’re motivating.

“When we restore a park feature or remove defacement, we’re honoring both the history and the community,” Rock Creek Park Resources, Lands and Planning Manager (and acting Deputy Superintendent) Nick Bartolomeo said. “It’s a way of saying: this place is worth respecting now and forever.”

Graffiti Clean-up

Seating at the Carter Barron Amphitheater with colorful graffiti on the stage walls. Seating at the Carter Barron Amphitheater with colorful graffiti on the stage walls.

Left image
Carter Barron Amphitheater before graffiti clean-up.
Credit: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Right image
Carter Barron Amphitheater during graffiti clean-up.
Credit: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

A group of police officers on foot and on horses pose for a group photo on the National Mall.
United States Park Police officers at the U.S. Army 250th Birthday Parade, June 14, 2025.

United States Park Police

Safe, beautiful and open to all

Safety and cleanliness are deeply connected, and NPS staff are making both a top priority. With more visible patrols, stronger partnerships and a focus on community engagement, park rangers are working together with local residents to ensure everyone feels welcome and secure.

“When people see that a park is well cared for, they treat it— and each other— with more care,” Bartolomeo said. “Clean spaces invite connection, and safety grows from that.”

Several young men clear brush and pile it on a paved trail.
National Park Service volunteers remove bush honeysuckle, an invasive plant, along a trail in Rock Creek Park on June 17, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Ground-level action across the region

Across the National Capital Region, crews are out in force restoring natural areas, repairing park infrastructure, and removing litter and debris from public spaces.

“In Rock Creek Park, we’ve been repainting, clearing trails, and replanting native species,” Rock Creek Park Botanist Ana Chuquin said. “It’s energizing to see how much of a difference small actions can make when they’re part of something bigger.”

A park ranger points out an invasive plant along a trail.
National Park Service Botanist Ana Chuquin teaches volunteers how to spot and remove honeysuckle, an invasive plant, located in Rock Creek Park on June 17, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

A smiling young woman holds a large clump of leafy plant material on a woodland trail.
A National Park Service volunteer removes bush honeysuckle, an invasive plant, along a trail in Rock Creek Park on June 17, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Two women use soap, water and sponges to scrub a park bench in the woods.
Volunteers clean benches in Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC, June 17, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Invasive / Non-native plant removal

A park bench is crowded by an overgrown bush. A park bench is crowded by an overgrown bush.

Left image
Before invasive plant removal.
Credit: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Right image
After invasive species removal.
Credit: NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

A female gardener in NPS uniform waters flowers near the White House with a large US flag in the distance.
NPS Gardener Rachel Aiken waters a pollinator bed at the White House Kitchen Garden, June 25, 2025.

NPS / Nathan King

Keeping up the White House grounds

National Park Service staff take care of the grounds of the White House, keeping everything looking photo-ready in the president's front yard and back yard. While your best chance of seeing this work is on a White House tour or during a special event at the White House, you can glimpse the grounds from adjacent streets or in the news!

NPS gardeners maintain the decorative and ceremonial gardens, private spaces, and even a functioning kitchen garden that provides food for the White House. They also maintain the lawns and a number of commemorative trees planted by first families dating back to the 1800s.
A male NPS gardener waters a basket of purple flowers under a pergola next to the White House.
NPS Gardener Arino Do Carmo waters flowers in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden, June 25, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

NPS Gardener Nick Guy uses a hedge trimmer to sculpt a bush in the East Garden.
NPS Gardener Nick Guy trims a bush in the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden at the White House, June 25, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

NPS Gardener Dominic Pugh prunes a hedge by the White House swimming pool.
NPS Gardener Dominic Pugh prunes a hedge by the White House swimming pool, June 25, 2025.

NPS / Kelsey Graczyk

Several maintenance workers wearing protective equipment remove tarps and other objects from an unauthorized encampment.
NPS staff remove objects from an illegal encampment in Anacostia Park, March 24, 2025.

NPS / James Sledge

Caring for people, not just places

NPS is also collaborating with the District of Columbia to compassionately connect homeless individuals illegally camping in national parks with social services and shelter while ensuring national parks remain accessible for all.

“This isn’t just about park maintenance,” Bussey said. “It’s about compassion and dignity for the homeless people and for the residents and tourists who want to enjoy these NPS parks.”

An invitation to the community

The NPS is calling on D.C. residents, visitors, and businesses to join the effort. Whether it’s volunteering for a cleanup, adopting a park or simply packing out your trash, every action contributes to a more beautiful, more livable environment.

“These parks belong to the people,” Chuquin said. “We’re the stewards, but we invite everyone to take part.”

Help keep national parks in D.C. beautiful

  • Volunteer at upcoming cleanups or trail restoration events
  • Join a local “Friends Of” group
  • Contact us to report maintenance needs or safety concerns

Tags

Anacostia Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway, National Capital Parks-East, National Mall and Memorial Parks, Rock Creek Park, The White House and President's Park more »

Last updated: August 1, 2025