The National Mall and Memorial Parks is closing certain parkland at the following stated areas for the specified timeframe for the completion of awarded contracts. Specifically:
- September 15, 2022-November 1, 2022 for Raul Wallenberg Rugby Field
- September 15, 2022-November 1 for Henry Bacon Ball Field
- September 15, 2022-November 1, 2022 for John Fitzgerald Kennedy Athletic Field
- October 15, 2022-November 1,2022 for Franklin Delano Roosevelt Ball Field Complex
These four areas must be under closure to allow the National Mall and Memorial Parks to complete critical turf renovations and athletic component upgrades. Less restrictive measures will not suffice due to the necessity for the turf to properly be protected from a high impact event in the adjacent area. This temporary and partial closure is not of a nature, magnitude and duration that will result in a "significant alteration in the public use pattern”. Indeed, other nearby park areas will remain open to the public. The closure will not adversely affect the park's natural, aesthetic or cultural values; nor require significant modification to the resource management objections; nor is it of a highly controversial nature. Accordingly, the National Park Service determines that publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register, is unwarranted per 36 C.F.R. § l.5(c). This is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications.
Picciotto v. United States. No. 99-2113 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Lulan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C.); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C.); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), affld in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995).
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R.§ 1.7, notice of this temporary and partial closure will be made through fencing and posting of signs at conspicuous locations in the affected park area. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5( c), this determination is available to the public upon request.
Jeffrey P. Reinbold, Superintendent National Mall and Memorial Parks
