Washington, D.C. — The National Park Service has directed at least $67 million in park entrance fee revenue toward projects in the nation’s capital as the Trump administration accelerates preparations for America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
According to records reviewed by The Hill, nearly $60 million from the National Park Service recreation fee fund was allocated to Washington-area projects between December 2025 and March 2026. Among the largest projects is a $13.1 million rehabilitation of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, with approximately $7 million coming from entrance fee revenue.
The spending is permitted under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, which requires at least 80% of entrance fees to remain at the parks where they are collected while allowing the remaining 20% to be distributed across the broader park system. Since sites on the National Mall do not charge admission, they often rely on these shared funds for maintenance and restoration work.
The funding shift has generated criticism from conservation advocates who argue the money should instead address aging infrastructure and deferred maintenance projects at national parks across the country. The National Park Service estimated its maintenance backlog exceeded $23 billion in 2024.
Aaron Weiss, executive director of conservation group Western Priorities, criticized the spending priorities, arguing that critical projects at parks such as Zion National Park should take precedence over aesthetic improvements in Washington.
The Interior Department defended the expenditures, saying the projects address deferred maintenance and help preserve iconic national landmarks ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial celebration in 2026.
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