National Park Service seeks public comment on plan for future of the Tidal Basin

News Release Date:
January 26, 2026

WASHINGTON - Help shape the future of the Tidal Basin! The National Park Service is accepting public comment on a Development Concept Plan and Environmental Assessment that will guide the long-term management of the Tidal Basin, focusing on transportation, conservation, tree preservation, protection of natural and cultural resources, visitor experience, recreation, infrastructure, security, and more. The plan also includes the preliminary design for a vehicle barrier system around the Jefferson Memorial. Visit the project website at parkplanning.nps.gov/tidalbasinDCP to review the plan and share your comments by March 5.

Created in the 19th century, the Tidal Basin is both an engineering feat and a key feature of West Potomac Park. Over time, it has become an iconic and cherished public space, known for its cultural and commemorative significance. Each year, an estimated 36 million visitors from around the world visit the National Mall to see the Tidal Basin and its surrounding monuments and memorials. During the National Cherry Blossom Festival, more than 1.5 million people visit to admire the breathtaking blooms of over 1,500 cherry trees that line the Tidal Basin.

However, in recent years, several factors have contributed to wear and tear on the Tidal Basin, including record crowds that visit year-round to enjoy its scenery, monuments, and recreational opportunities. Additionally, growing visitation and rising maintenance costs have left the NPS unable to keep up with necessary repairs. The iconic cherry trees face constant threats from trampled, compacted soil and the twice-daily inundation of brackish water in some areas. This draft plan provides direction for the long-term management and rehabilitation of the Tidal Basin cultural landscape, based on the National Mall Plan and other related documents.

How to Comment

Comments must be submitted in writing, preferably via an online form on the National Park Service Planning, Environment, and Public Comment website. From the project website (parkplanning.nps.gov/tidalbasinDCP), navigate to the "Open for Comment" menu on the left-hand side and open the "Tidal Basin Development Concept Plan - Public Scoping Design Concept" folder. Click the green "Comment Now" button to access the online form.

Alternatively, comments may be submitted via U.S. mail to:

Tammy Stidham
National Park Service
1100 Ohio Drive, SW
Washington, DC 20242
ATTN: Tidal Basin DCP

Comments must be submitted online or postmarked by March 5 to be considered. Please be aware that all comments - including personally identifiable information (PII) such as your address, phone number, and email address - may be made publicly available. Requests to withhold such PII will be considered but cannot be guaranteed.

-NPS-