July 21, 2017
Gay Vietzke Selected to Lead Northeast Region
Acting National Park Service Director Michael T. Reynolds has announced the selection of Gay Vietzke as regional director for the Northeast Region of the NPS. Vietzke currently serves as the superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C.
June 19, 2017
2017 Independence Day Celebration in the Nations Capital
The National Park Service will once again host the annual celebration of Independence Day on the National Mall, the nation’s most important civic space and home to more than a dozen memorials that commemorate great Americans and significant events in our nation’s history. Events on the National Mall this year include the Smithsonian Folklife Festival; a concert with the United States Navy Band at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument; and one of the largest fireworks displays in the nation. Other events include the National Independence Day Parade, and A Capitol Fourth, the annual star-studded concert on the West Lawn of the Capitol.
April 14, 2017
Contract Awarded for Metered Parking Along the National Mall
The National Park Service has awarded a contract to install parking meters on streets and parking areas on the National Mall; installation will begin on or about May 1, with operation and enforcement of the meters scheduled for June 12.
March 23, 2017
Temporary Lane Closure 17th Street for Lockkeeper House Project
The National Park Service, in cooperation with The Trust for the National Mall, is moving the Lockkeeper’s House at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 17th Street as the first phase of the rehabilitation of Constitution Gardens.
March 17, 2017
Earlier Stage Cherry Blossoms Survived the Cold, Should Bloom Late Next Week
The National Park Service estimates that approximately half of the cherry blossoms on the Yoshino variety of trees have survived the recent cold snap, and will be emerging over the next week or so around the Tidal Basin, in East Potomac Park and on the grounds of the Washington Monument.
March 15, 2017
Cherry Blossom Update - Cold Temperatures Causing Damage to Advanced Stage Blossoms
The National Park Service has completed an inspection of the Japanese flowering cherry trees around the Tidal Basin this morning in the wake of bitter overnight temperatures.
March 08, 2017
Cold Weather Forecast for This Weekend Moves Peak Bloom Date for Cherry Blossoms to March 19-22
Using recent temperature data, the current progression of the blooming phases, and the weather forecast for the next seven days, the National Park Service is forecasting that March 19-22 will be the start of the peak bloom period for the cherry blossoms.
March 01, 2017
National Park Service Announces Visitor Services for 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Park Service will offer a number of special programs and services during the 2017 National Cherry Blossom Festival, including festival-related lantern walks; and ranger talks and tours around the Tidal Basin and National Mall. National Park Service festival events will be held from March 15 through April 2, 2017 and are free of charge. Peak bloom of the cherry trees is expected to occur between March 14 and 17.
February 21, 2017
National Park Service Removing Graffiti at Four Memorials Along the National Mall
The National Park Service is actively working to remove five acts of vandalism to memorials along the National Mall, including two instances at the Lincoln Memorial, and one each at the Washington Monument, World War II Memorial and D.C. War Memorial.
January 11, 2017
Inauguration Reminder - Camping Prohibited in D.C. National Parks
As the 2017 presidential inauguration approaches, the United States Park Police and the National Park Service remind visitors that federal regulations prohibit camping in all national park lands in the District of Columbia.
December 10, 2016
Statement on Gathering for Justice (Women's March) Request
The National Park Service has received a request from the Gathering for Justice to conduct an event (commonly referred to as the Women’s March on Washington) on January 21 at various public sites in Washington D.C., to include the Lincoln Memorial.
December 02, 2016
David Rubenstein Donates Funds to Modernize Washington Monument Elevator
WASHINGTON – Businessman and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein has pledged the funding needed for the National Park Service to modernize the Washington Monument elevator.
October 12, 2016
Junior Ranger Activities Celebrate the National Historic Preservation Act 50th Anniversary
The National Park Service invites Junior Rangers of all ages to a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the National Historic Preservation Act,
October 12, 2016
Test installation of Levee to close part of 17th st on Oct 14
Washington – On Friday, October 14, the National Park Service will close 17th Street between Constitution Avenue NW and Independence Avenue SW from 6 a.m. until approximately 4 p.m. to perform a test installation of the 17th Street levee.
September 29, 2016
Rats beware: National Park Service and the D.C. Department of Health partner to combat rodent population in D.C. national parks
The National Park Service (NPS) today announced a partnership with the D.C. Department of Health (DOH) to better control the rodent populations in national parks in the District. Under the agreement, which takes effect on October 1, 2016, DOH staff will inspect and treat national parks throughout the city. Residents can now report rats in any national park to request treatment by calling the Citywide Call Center at 311.
August 29, 2016
National Park Service Brief Congresswoman Norton on Washington Monument Elevator
National Mall and Memorial Parks Superintendent and staff members met this afternoon with Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton to brief her on the recent spate of closures at the Washington Monument and give her a progress report.
August 10, 2016
National Park Service Studies Biofilm Blackening the Thomas Jefferson Memorial
The dome of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial is one of the iconic landmarks on the Washington, D.C. skyline. In recent years, however, the gleaming white rotunda has become increasingly darkened, but not by dirt or mold, as the casual eye might suspect. The culprit is a colony of microscopic organisms, called biofilm.
