One of Washington, D.C.’s most iconic landscapes, the Tidal Basin draws visitors from around the world for its sweeping views, cherry blossoms, and historic memorials. Thanks to advocacy by the National Trust and our partners, the Tidal Basin project received federal funding which included $112.76 million through the Great American Outdoors Act, and in December 2025, the National Park Service announced that the seawall restoration had been completed ahead of schedule.

Public comments are now open for the National Park Service’s Tidal Basin Development Concept Plan. The public comment period for this project is now open through March 5, 2026.

The plan focuses on the Tidal Basin and surrounding areas within West Potomac Park in Washington, DC. It includes some of the nation’s most significant memorials including the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, as well as the cherry trees. The proposed plan addresses key issues such as transportation and accessibility, connectivity, conservation, tree preservation, protection of aquatic resources, infrastructure, memorials and cultural landscape protection, security, visitor experience, seawall solutions and the creation of flexible public spaces.

Read the National Trust for Historic Preservation's comments.