Parts of the National Mall were closed Tuesday and will remain closed through Jan. 24, 2027 so the National Park Service can restore turf and foliage.
The National Park Service said in an Aug. 11 notice that events held on the Mall and high levels of foot traffic have caused soil compaction, turf loss and general wear and damage. The Mall was the site of several events this summer celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
To rectify this, park service officials are rehabilitating certain rectangular patches of grass turf and adjacent patches of trees. The closures are necessary to allow the lawn to regrow without being damaged by public traffic, officials said.
The center turf and trees between Third Street SW and 14th Street SW were closed starting Tuesday and will remain closed until 5 p.m. on Jan. 24. Starting at 6 a.m. Sept. 16, two additional center lawn panels “31” and “27” will be closed, to be reopened at the same time as the others.
Metro told WUSA-TV that it does not expect the closures to impact the Smithsonian Metrorail station.
During the closure period, “all casual visitors, demonstrations and special events will not be allowed.” Hard surfaces in the National Mall area and nearby park areas will be available for those activities, park service officials said.
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