NPS closes National Mall turf for restoration after busy summer

The National Park Service is temporarily closing certain grassy areas on the National Mall for turf restoration, starting Tuesday, after a busy summer in Washington, D.C.The National Mall hosted many large events for America’s 250th birthday, including the July Fourth fireworks show following President Donald Trump’s 40-minute speech.The park service did not mention America 250 in its announcement about the partial and temporary closure, which is set to last until Jan. 24, 2027. However, the high foot traffic was the likely cause of the reported turf damage. “The center turf panels and tree panels of the National Mall require significant restoration due to wear, soil compaction, turf loss, and damage associated both with recent permitted events and sustained high levels of public use,” the agency said in its public notice for the nearly five-month closure. “These closures and public use limits are necessary to allow for effective turf rehabilitation and regrowth, as continued foot traffic would interfere with the recovery process.”Everyone is strictly prohibited from entering the sections enclosed by fences until further notice, NPS warned.The public notice was issued by Kevin Griess, superintendent of the National Mall and Memorial Parks, on Aug. 11. It took effect this week.TRUMP BLAMES ‘VANDALS’ FOR DAMAGING NATIONAL MALL GRASS AFTER WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL GRAFFITIThe move came weeks after Trump blamed alleged vandals for destroying part of the grass on the National Mall between the Washington Monument and the area that contains the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.Trump’s rant on Truth Social about alleged vandalism was likely referencing an incident from June when a large “86 47” message was discovered in the grass on the National Mall. The number “86” is used in the restaurant industry to indicate that an item is no longer available, and Republicans have interpreted the phrase as a threat against Trump, the 47th president.