National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA) is responsible for over 1,000 acres of the most significant natural and cultural resources in the United States. The sites of NAMA are cherished symbols of our nation, known worldwide and depicted on everything from currency to the nightly news. Located in the core of the nation's capital, NAMA administers, interprets, maintains and preserves the Washington Monument, the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Pennsylvania Avenue from the Capitol to the White House, the National Mall, East and West Potomac Parks, Constitution Gardens, 60 statues, and numerous other historic sites, memorials, and parklands.

NAMA is responsible for significant maintenance and preservation support for the White House as well as the U.S. Navy Memorial. NAMA's origins are as old as the capital city itself. The open space and parklands envisioned by Pierre L'Enfant's plan, which was commissioned by George Washington, created an ideal stage for national expressions of remembrance, observance and protest. With everything from colossal monuments to commemorative gardens, from presidential inaugurals to civil rights protests NAMA hosts history in the making. Numerous 1st Amendment demonstrations and special events are held in the park each year. The park continues to evolve as Americans seek new ways to recognize their heritage.

NAMA contains more than 80 historic structures and over 150 major named historic parks, squares, circles and triangles. It includes the Ford's Theatre museum which preserves and displays over 8,000 artifacts relevant to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Park resources include the 2,000 American elms which line the Mall and the 3,000 internationally-renowned Japanese cherry trees which grace the Tidal Basin. Gardens that are botanical showplaces display thousands of tulips, pansies and annuals in over 170 flower beds, and 35 ornamental pools and fountains range from the simple to the sublime. This impressive mingling of natural and cultural resources has made our Nation's Capital one of the most heavily visited and photographed places in the world.

NAMA offers Americans the opportunity to get in touch with their heritage. Thousands of school children, families, foreign visitors, veterans and recreational users come to the park daily. They take advantage of interpretive programming presented by Park Rangers, park exhibits, publications, orientation services, panoramic views from the Washington Monument and the Old Post Office Tower. White House, State Department and Congressional staffs use these same services to give foreign dignitaries exposure to American history and culture. NAMA is responsible for 43 ball fields where local clubs play softball, soccer, rugby, field hockey, volleyball, and polo. Other recreational opportunities including jogging, biking, picnicking, golf, swimming, tennis, paddleboating, ice skating, and fishing are enthusiastically pursued by residents and visitors throughout the park.

The sites of National Mall & Memorial Parks are a testament to America's past and present where the values of our nation and are presented in a masterful blending of formal history and tradition and informal contemporary life.