{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-wants-nps-to-reconsider-proposal-to-close-washington-monument", "Norton Wants NPS to Reconsider Proposal to Close Washington Monument Athletic Fields, Spike in Fees for Other Fields on the Mall", "2017-11-14", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "DC", "Eleanor Norton", "N000147", "norton.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), joined by Representatives Elijah Cummings (D-MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jamie Raskin (D-MD), today sent a letter to the National Park Service (NPS) urging it to reconsider its proposal to permanently close six athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument and to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.\nIn the letter, the Members wrote, \u201cAs you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity\u2014including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.\u00a0 We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS\u2019s desire to protect it from damage.\u00a0 But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary\u2014it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.\u00a0 Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.\u00a0 Space for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region\u2026.We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone.\u201d\nThe full letter is below.\nMichael Reynolds  \n\tActing Director  \n\tNational Park Service  \n\t1849 C Street  \n\tWashington, DC 20240\nDear Acting Director Reynolds:\nWe are writing in regard to the National Park Service\u2019s (NPS) proposal to permanently close the athletic fields on the grounds of the Washington Monument, and, in addition, to significantly increase the fees to reserve other fields on the National Mall.\u00a0 Our understanding is that this proposal will permanently close six fields and increase rates at the remaining fields from $7 per season to and astronomical $70 for only a two-hour reservation.\u00a0 We understand that Congress has underfunded NPS over the years, and we are committed to ensuring that NPS\u2019s budget is increased.\u00a0 Nevertheless, we are dismayed by this proposal, which limits access to the Mall and places enormous financial barriers to recreation.\nAs you know, the Founders and the original planners of the District of Columbia always intended the National Mall to be a gathering place for public activity\u2014including First Amendment activity, cultural events, and recreational use.\u00a0 We understand that NPS has recently undertaken a significant and costly renovation of the turf on the Mall, and we recognize NPS\u2019s desire to protect it from damage.\u00a0 But the Mall is not a turf sanctuary\u2014it is a public park designed to host a variety of diverse, high-traffic events.\u00a0 Moreover, our understanding is that the new turf on the Mall is a proprietary blend that is designed to withstand heavy use, which should theoretically include even the most rambunctious intramural sports.\nSpace for intramural sports is already at a premium in the District of Columbia and throughout the region.\u00a0 Closing six fields at the Washington Monument will impact local parks and recreation departments that already have long waitlists for neighborhood fields.\u00a0 We urge you to reconsider these closures and reduce the reservation fees to ensure that the Mall remains open and accessible to everyone.\u00a0\nWe ask that you respond to us within 30 days of receipt of this letter.\nSincerely,\nEleanor Holmes Norton  \n\tElijah E. Cummings  \n\tGerald E. Connolly  \n\tC.A. Dutch Ruppersberger  \n\tDonald S. Beyer Jr.  \n\tJohn P. Sarbanes  \n\tJamie Raskin\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://norton.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/norton-wants-nps-to-reconsider-proposal-to-close-washington-monument"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0913591831922531, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}