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. Interactive Website A new website was launched to allow the public to comment on the state of the National Mall and the plans as they develop.Trust for the National Mall
The Trust for the National Mall, a non-profit partner, was created to raise the necessary funds to maintain and restore the National Mall as a world-class park. Supporting the National Park Service as it undertakes the National Mall Plan, the Trust was formed to help preserve the National Mall as a public space that evokes the pride and patriotism of the American people. For more information, see the official website.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.
