Millions of people are expected to descend on the Tidal Basin for the cherry blossoms this year.
It’s the first time festival organizers are encouraging people to visit in person since the pandemic, but the popular gathering spot is facing growing problems in some areas.
Just walk a few steps away from the Thomas Jefferson Memorial – and you’ll run into mud, cracked and uneven sidewalks, dangerously low hanging tree branches and twice a day – the area will be completely under water during high-tide.
“Keep an eye on the sidewalks," Mike Litterst with National Park Service said. "There are a few places where the seawall is settling. there are cracks in the side walk and places where its dropped a little bit, a couple places where we have run a new trail because the old trail is under water so often."
That’s because the Tidal Basin is sinking over the years.
“We know the seawall is sinking about an inch a year and we continue to see the effects of sea level rise," Litterst explained. "Areas that used to flood periodically are now flooding regularly."
"There are two critical areas that the park service is trying to deal with but overall this whole area needs to be reimagined, that’s why we put together the ideas lab” Catherine Townsend, President and CEO, of the Trust for the National Mall.
The Trust for the National Mall is a nonprofit and is helping to lead the way on creating designs and ideas on how to preserve the famous destination.
The National Park Service says the area is in desperate need of hundreds of millions worth in repairs.
“Getting that repaired is a top priority but it won’t happen this cherry blossom season” Litterst stated.
To learn more about the Tidal Basin Ideas Lab, click here.