National Mall Becomes Victim of Own Success

WASHINGTON -- The National Mall is rapidly becoming a victim of its own success. So many people are visiting the monuments, museums and memorials that the Mall is in need of serious repair.

"It is literally being loved to death," says Bill Line, spokesperson for the National Parks Service.

About 25 million people a year visit the Mall. That is like the entire state of Rhode Island coming to the area 23 times a year, or roughly 43 times the size the population of the District. The wear and tear shows.

Bald spots on grass, a sinking seawall near the Jefferson Memorial, inadequate signage directing out-of-towners where to go, a lack of restrooms, poor access to park rangers and substandard food facilities are all issues the National Park Service is talking about fixing.

The Park Service on Thursday will announce a new public/private partnership to raise money to address the issues. The group that will be teaming up with the Park Service is known as The Trust for the National Mall.

"The National Park Service has a long history of forming these kinds of partnerships," says Line. "The Grand Canyon and Ellis Island in New York Harbor are just a few."

The idea behind the partnership is one of restoration and preservation.

"The National Mall is probably the No. 1 most utilized public space in the country," says Line. "We are looking at ways to make it more visitor friendly, as well as deciding ultimately how we take care of it and manage it for the next 50 years."

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