From Rachel Cooper,
Your Guide to Washington, DC.
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The National Mall Plan is a nationwide planning effort which is being made to improve ways that visitors experience the National Mall. Since 25 million people visit the National Mall each year, our national treasure is showing signs of wear and tear. The last revitalization effort was completed 30 years ago, so the National Park Service is seeking public input to help shape the future use, appearance and landscape of the National Mall.

National Mall Planning Website

The National Park Service has launched an interactive web site that provides up-to-date information on the Future of the National Mall planning process and allows the public to share their thoughts. The National Mall Plan is at the alternatives phase and the National Park Service is currently seeking additional public comment. Comments should be submitted on-line.

Future of the National Mall Symposiums

The National Park Service began a long-term planning initiative by hosting symposiums that brought together experts in various fields, along with members of the public, to begin a national dialogue presenting possible solutions for how the National Mall can be preserved and successfully meet the needs of the future. Several speakers, National Mall & Memorial Parks Superintendent Vikki Keys and Mayor Anthony Williams, discussed topics such as future land use, supporting the needs of visitors, and protecting historic resources. Members of the public were given the opportunity to voice their ideas and offer feedback. The hot issues seemed to be bathrooms, food, transportation, and improved walkways to keep the grass alive.

Interesting Facts About the National Mall

• 25 million people visit the National Mall each year.
  
  
• More than 3,000 annual events are held on the National Mall.
  
  
• Every weekday, more than 440,000 vehicles travel along the National Mall.
  
  
• The National Mall has more than 26 miles of pedestrian sidewalks and 8 miles of bike trails.
  
  
• 10 tons of grass seed and nearly 3,000 yards of sod and turf are installed and planted on over 300 acres on the National Mall.
  
  
• Over 9,000 trees are located on the National Mall; nearly 2,300 are American elm trees.
  
  
• More than 25,000 local sports enthusiasts use the 15 softball fields, eight volleyball courts, two rugby fields, two multi-purpose fields and the Washington Monument grounds for a variety of different recreation activities.
  
  
• Three to four tons of trash are collected and removed from the National Mall each day.

Future Building on the National Mall

The building of new commemorative sites and visitor centers is restricted by the Reserve Act that Congress passed in 2003. The act declared the National Mall a completed work of civic art and prevents the area from being overbuilt. Three future projects were approved before the act passed – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Center, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

See On the National Mall for information about visiting this part of Washington, DC.