Press Releases

February 19, 2015 -- The Trust for the National Mall today announced a partnership with EarthCam, in cooperation with the Smithsonian Institution, to provide live digital access to view phase II of the National Mall turf restoration project. The camera, provided through a generous donation from EarthCam, will allow the public to experience the significant changes taking place on America’s front yard from the unique vantage point of the Smithsonian Castle’s North Flag Tower.

“We are thrilled that this partnership will allow more people to understand the complex nature of the turf restoration while also educating the public about the need to restore and preserve our National Mall,” said Caroline Cunningham, president of the Trust for the National Mall.

The second phase of the turf restoration project, which began in October 2014, is part of a multi-year effort to create a healthy and water-efficient landscape across the renowned green expanse of the National Mall. The work to revitalize the Mall’s turf will transform America’s front yard into a more vibrant, visitor-friendly and environmentally sustainable space. And thanks to EarthCam, the public will be able to watch the full restoration live.

The work will begin with the replacement of four feet of soil with a compaction-resistant turf and soil system, similar to what is used in sports stadiums. An underground drainage system will then be installed to capture and direct storm water to two 250,000-gallon cisterns for reuse in the irrigation system, as well as granite curbs to direct water to the cistern system and heavy-duty irrigation infrastructure. 

The restoration will improve the park’s ability to serve as a popular tourist attraction and venue for national celebrations, demonstrations and other major events. 

“The turf restoration is a major undertaking designed to create a more sustainable future for the National Mall,” said Brian Cury, CEO and Founder of EarthCam. “We are proud to work with the Trust for the National Mall on this massive endeavor and look forward to showing the public what is being done to America’s front yard over the next couple of years.”

EarthCam has been providing webcam technology to the National Park Service and its partners for over ten years.  A 16 megapixel digital SLR camera documented the 14 month repair process  on the Washington Monument after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the nation’s capital on August 23, 2011.  EarthCam produced a time-lapse movie that has been viewed over 50,000 times and is now on display in the Washington Monument Welcome Center.  

The live streaming robotic turf restoration camera, which faces north and pans east to west from the U.S. Capitol to the Washington Monument, will also include time-lapse imagery and panoramas that illustrate the extensive repairs. 

To view the live camera or learn more about the Trust’s Campaign for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org/turf-phaseii.

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About the Trust for the National Mall

The Trust for the National Mall is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service dedicated to restoring, improving and preserving the National Mall while providing new educational and volunteer opportunities to connect visitors to the National Mall’s rich built and living history. For more information on the Trust for the National Mall, please visit www.nationalmall.org or follow on Facebook, Twitter (@TheNationalMall), and Instagram (@NationalMall).

About EarthCam

EarthCam is the global leader in delivering webcam content, technology and services. Founded in 1996, EarthCam provides live streaming video and time-lapse construction cameras for corporate, tourism and government clients in major cities around the world. EarthCam's revolutionary gigapixel camera systems deliver superior billion pixel clarity for monitoring and archiving the world's most important projects and events. EarthCam's all-weather webcams, innovative software and mobile applications enable users to showcase unique views, increase exposure and generate positive public relations. EarthCam launched EarthCamTV, a 24-hour “TV channel” devoted to live views of scenic destinations around the world.

The Webby Award winning company hosts many highly trafficked tourism cams, with views of popular locations and landmarks such as Times Square, World Trade Center, Las Vegas Strip, Bourbon Street, Eiffel Tower, Andy Warhol’s gravesite, Hollywood Boulevard, Miami Beach, Atlantis the Palm Dubai, Petra in Jordan and Abbey Road Crossing in London. To experience more of EarthCam, visit www.earthcam.com.