Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5, the National Park Service is imposing a temporary closure of Dupont Circle Park from approximately 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, 2025, through approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 8, 2025. The restricted area is indicated on the enclosed map. This closure comes at the request of the United States Park Police (USPP). In USPP’s professional opinion this closure is necessary for the maintenance of public health and safety and protection of natural and cultural resources in Dupont Circle Park. The USPP has concluded that this temporary closure is necessary to “secure the park, deter potential violence, reduce the risk of destructive acts and decrease the need for extensive law enforcement presences.” Both USPP and MPD note that there were multiple instances of damage to park resources and unsafe conditions for the public at this location in 2019, 2023 and 2024. Based on the information provided by USPP letter, in the USPP’s professional opinion this closure is necessary. Less restrictive measures will not suffice due to the security-based assessment of the USPP that this park area needs to be kept clear. Copies of the MPD’s letters dated April 22, 2025, and June 3, 2025, and USPP’s letters dated May 22 ,2025 and June 4, 2025, are attached and incorporated by reference. This temporary public use limit is not of a nature, magnitude and duration that will result in a “significant alteration in the public use pattern.” Other nearby park areas will remain open, this closure will not impact any permitted events, and the closure will only last for the time that law enforcement agencies have determined is necessary to provide for public safety and resource protection. Furthermore, the closure will not adversely affect the park’s natural, aesthetic or cultural values and is not of a highly controversial nature, as evidenced by the lack of any requests to utilize the area to be closed. Comparable closures and public use limits are commonplace when necessary, provide for the protection of the park and public. Accordingly, the National Park Service determines publication as rulemaking in the Federal Register is unwarranted under 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(b). This is consistent with hundreds of earlier partial and temporary park closures or public use limitations, the legal opinion of the Office of the Solicitor, and judicial adjudications. Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02-1715 (D.D.C. August 29, 2002), plaintiff’s emergency motion for injunction pending appeal denied Mahoney v. Norton, No. 02- 5275 (D.C. Cir. September 9, 2002) (per curiam); Picciotto v. United States, No. 99-2113 (D.D.C. August 6, 1999); Picciotto v. United States, No. 94-1935 (D.D.C. September 9, 1994); Picciotto v. Lujan, No. 90-1261 (D.D.C. May 30, 1990); Picciotto v. Hodel, No. 87-3290 (D.D.C. January 26, 1988); Spiegel v. Babbitt, 855 F.Supp. 402 (D.D.C. 1994), aff'd in part w/o op. 56 F.3d 1531 (D.C. Cir. 1995), reported in full, 1995 US App. Lexis 15200 (D.C. Cir. May 31, 1995). Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.7, notice of this temporary and partial closure and public use limit will be made though media advisories, maps, fencing, and by posting at conspicuous locations in the affected park areas. Finally, pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 1.5(c), this determination is available to the public upon request. /s/ Kevin Griess, Superintendent National Mall and Memorial Parks June 5, 2025 Enclosures |
Last updated: June 6, 2025