"America's Front Yard" in Disrepair

The Washington Post has been running a series of interesting articles about the deterioration of "America's front yard," Washington D.C.'s National Mall. The grounds surrounding the monuments and tidal basin are National Park Service property, and the service says they're owed more than $350 million in maintenance fees. Which means that if you wander the Mall you'll find rusty toilet fixtures, cracked pavement, dusty lawns, algae-filled reflecting pools, and a host of other signs of wear and tear. (I know, I've seen most of these things myself.) More than 25 million visitors come to the Mall each year–that's more than the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite parks combined–but there are only 100 toilets, 54 rangers, and three places to buy water. Though the monuments still inspire, their surrounding environs are less than impressive.

A few groups have sprung up to help address these concerns. The Trust for the National Mall is working to raise funds and refurbish the space, using a model similar to that of the Central Park Conservancy, which revitalized New York City's grand backyard after years of disuse. They launched last month and are working to raise over $500 million in donations (right now there's a volunteer section on the Trust's website, but no information on how to donate your time quite yet). And the Mall Conservancy is seeking to expand the boundaries of the Mall for future exhibitions and museums, and help in the long-term planning efforts to revitalize the space. A bunch of task forces have been formed to create a National Mall Day, improve the quality of visitor and welcome centers, and promote performance and art activities. Their site has a great section about the Mall's history, and a variety of proposals for taking Pierre L'Enfant's plan into it's third century.

All I can say is: Amen. I got to enjoy the efforts of the Central Park Conservancy during my time in New York, but it will be a long time before I pack a blanket and head down to the Mall. Besides being overrun with people, there are too few amenities to make it an enjoyable excursion. You go there with a mission in mind: See the cherry blossoms, visit the Smithsonian, or if you're one of the many D.C. leagues, to play in a softball game. But hopefully with these efforts, I can start feeling like it's my own little front yard.

What are your impressions of the National Mall? What do you think can be done to make it better?

Photo: courtesy of the National Coalition to Save our Mall

Comments

[Noah]

"if you wander the Mall you'll find rusty toilet fixtures"

Actually, I think Bush normally stays in the White House. But that's cool that you've found him out and about.

[MD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall

http://www.nps.gov/nama/

While the rangers likely do a very good job, I'm a oui bit confused. 54 rangers to cover the National Mall, which is 2+ miles long. A few will always be unavailable for various reasons, different shifts, etc... but do we have information on how many the NPS would like to have on staff?

Capitol police have one end fairly well covered and the museums have their own staff.

Please let me know if I am forgetting key issues. (Serious. Not sarcastic.)

Are they there to guide tourists? For safety? Monitor the trees, water and wildlife? Does "rangers" include maintenance individuals? Do they "man" most of the monuments? If so, can we also count gift shop staff at the monuments as part of the "support staff"?

That noted... tis a shame there is a budget problem. The "venue" hosts many activities including kite flying, Screen on the Green, and simple picnics which benefit DC residents and tourists alike.

I visit often and have yet to find a problem other than water access 24/7. Considering the climate, water access is needed but few dusty lawns are to be expected, especially after tent use and high traffic weekends are also factored in to the mix.

Many amenities can be found downtown or in the museums. Are there some in particular the IT staff had in mind? As for crowding... that is a factor of the timing and popularity of events. Something that in many ways, I think, is a good sign for DC. Tourist dollar and all.

The photo is of the Capitol Visitor's Center construction site, no? Does the NPS handle that project or is that a different issue in a way, though on the Mall?

Thanks for noting the issue as this valuable resource needs to be handled carefully, especially while this city is still developing as a prosperous Nation's Capital and tourist destination.

[Kudzu Fire]

yuck. well congress may have to stop buying votes and being bought by foreign oil interests for a minute to fix this.

[Elizabeth]

I generally enjoy the mall (when it's not sweltering hot). Screen on the Green in the summer is always fun and it seems that there's always some sort of event happening.
However, there is too much construction. Which is ironic since it's in total disrepair.