National Mall and Memorial Parks

Are short-term bike rentals one solution for easing traffic congestion around the National Mall in Washington, D.C.? The NPS has proposed allowing five stations on NPS managed property for the growing Capital Bikeshare system, and is accepting public comments for the idea.

Navigation around the nation's capital has often been regarded as a bit challenging for tourists, but a new app developed by the National Park Service can make a visit to the National Mall a bit easier for smart phone users.

The nation's front yard, frayed, rutted, and overwhelmed by millions of feet and years of neglect, is going to be given a much-needed makeover if the Interior Department can figure out how to raise at least $650 million, and likely quite a bit more.

Wondering why all the fuss over the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.? This short video from the 2009 festival helps explain the attraction.

How did the unusually snowy winter in Washington, D.C. affect the timing of blooms on the city's famed cherry trees? The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is now underway, along with the guessing game about the period of peak blooms. What do the experts say about the best time to view the blossoms in 2010?

The National Mall is often described as the nation's front yard, and the lawn has bare spots, the walks are cracking, the porch is sagging. It's time for a serious facelift, the NPS is working on a plan to restore the Mall, and your comments are welcome.

NPS areas in and around the nation's capital will host or assist in special activities during the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, including an unusual concert and opportunity to view the city from a unique location.

The Big Day on the National Mall has come and gone, thankfully without major incidents. The National Park Service has compiled a few behind-the-scenes facts and figures, but contrary to published reports, there won't be an official estimate of the crowd from that agency.

With crowds predicted to number three-four million or more, the National Park Service is scrambling to accommodate the largest event in its history.

If you were a duck flying over Washington, D.C., you just might think the Capitol Reflecting Pool would be a pretty good place to splash down upon to give your weary wings a break. Unfortunately, it seems as if that murky pool of water has turned into a deadly disease-carrying environment for waterfowl.

Springtime must be right around the corner. Why else would the chief horticulturist for the National Park Service's National Capital Region be issuing his forecast for the peak color during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival?

Twenty-five million visitors a year visit the National Mall and Memorial Parks in Washington, D.C. And for those millions, there are 80 public toilets and 26 urinals. What's a guy or gal to do when nature calls?