Beginning on Wednesday January 28, 2026, the National Park Service at the request of the United States Secret Service is instituting a temporary restriction of access to certain parkland in Rock Creek Park and National Mall and Memorial Parks associated with several Secret Service protectees attending the movie premiere of “Melania” at the Trump Kennedy Center. These restrictions and closures are delineated in the attached map and as further delineated by fencing, and other methods of communication to the public. Specifically, at approximately 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 28 until approximately 6:00 a.m. on Friday, January 30, 2026, the following areas of Rock Creek Park will be temporarily closed to pedestrian and vehicular access: • Thompson Boat Center Parking Lot • Thompson Boat Center Boat Center Bridge There will also be a temporary restriction of vehicular access and/or pedestrian access, as indicated below, to the following locations on Thursday, January 29, 2026, from approximately 3:00 p.m. to approximately 11:30 p.m.: National Mall and Memorial Parks Vehicular Restrictions • Parkway Drive NW, between Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW and Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW. • Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, NW between Virginia Avenue NW and Ohio Drive, SW. National Mall and Memorial Parks Pedestrian Restrictions The following parklands will temporarily be closed to pedestrian access: • Section of Rock Creek Trail from Virginia Avenue to Parkway Drive Rock Creek Parkway Vehicular Restrictions • Rock Creek Parkway (northbound and southbound lanes) from Virginia Avenue, NW to Shoreham Hill Drive, NW Rock Creek Parkway Pedestrian Restrictions The following parklands will temporarily be closed to pedestrian access: • The Washington City Canal Outfall section of the Rock Creek Trail. The park areas will be closed to the public to provide security and ensure public safety associated with events involving Secret Service protectee(s). Please note, it is anticipated that Secret Service personnel will temporarily restrict public access in these areas during the installation of anti-scale fencing. These restrictions are expected to begin on January 28, 2026, from approximately 5:00 p.m. until approximately 6:00 am on Friday, January 30, 2026. These closures may be marked by police tape, barriers, signage, and/or roadblocks. These public access restrictions are necessary during fence installation to ensure the safety of the public as well as the personnel engaged in installation. The National Park Service appreciates the public's cooperation in this matter. /s/ Chad Tinney National Park Service National Mall and Memorial Parks National Capital Region /s/ Brian Joyner National Park Service Rock Creek Park National Capital Region |
Last updated: January 28, 2026