National Parks Services Get Ready for Spring Tourists

March 22, 2005

National Parks Services Get Ready for Spring Tourists
March 22, 2005 – The National Parks Services is gearing up this spring tourism season at it expects an increase in visitors to the Washington, D.C., area as well as to the National Mall and Memorial Parks.

The Washington Monument to is set to reopen to visitors beginning at 9 a.m. on Friday, April 1st. Visitors wishing to reserve tickets to the Washington Monument tickets may do so now by calling 1-800-967-2283. While tickets to the Washington Monument are free of charge, callers to this number will incur a $1.50 service charge and a $.50 shipping and handling fee. Visitors may also obtain free, same-day, timed tickets to the Washington Monument at the 15th Street kiosk.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival begins Saturday, March 26th and the NPS, in conjunction with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Inc., will operate a Public Information Trailer for the third consecutive year. The trailer will be located on the Washington Monument grounds adjacent to westbound Independence Avenue. The trailer is within close walking distance to Tidal Basin.

NPS is also working to institute new traffic signs to improve traffic flow around Tidal Basin. These traffic signs will provide visitors and drivers with options to areas with additional cherry blossoms.

Other National Park Service, concessions and visitor service enhancements:

• Tourmobile will resume its routes between the National Mall & Memorial Parks and the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site and Mount Vernon, George Washington’s home.
• Work progresses on pedestrian and traffic safety improvements as well as a vehicle barrier system around the Lincoln Memorial.
• The NPS concessioner, Guest Services, Inc., will soon begin construction of two new visitor service facilities that will provide the full range of food and retail services.