A park closure map and more detailed information are available here.
The National Park Service is temporarily and partially closing various portions of Lafayette Park and the White House Sidewalk on Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. for construction and turf renovation related to a major rehabilitation of Lafayette Park for America’s semiquincentennial. Specifically, the project will begin at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026 and continue through approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026. As the construction begins, all but a portion of the Northwest quadrant of Lafayette Park will be closed. Additionally due to the impact of this construction project and the East Wing Modernization project in the same general area, the need to provide a protected and secured route for White House tour and event guests to access the site, as well as to provide means for emergency evacuation of the area, the White House sidewalk between East Executive Avenue, N.W. and West Executive Avenue, N.W. will be closed beginning approximately 5:00 a.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026 and continue through approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026.Closures of the various parts of Lafayette Park and the White House sidewalk will be identified by fencing and signage. Violation is prohibited.
This temporary and partial closure is necessary for public safety and the protection of environmental or scenic values and the protection of both natural and cultural resources during construction, which will include installing irrigation lines, repairing the park’s historic fountains, installing new pumping systems and associated fountain vaults, tree replacement, installation of hardscape in certain locations, replacement of park benches, and turf replacement,. Less restrictive measures will not suffice because of the necessity to ensure the functional operation of the park’s historic ornamental fountains, as well as the proper horticultural installation, stabilization and development of new turf within these areas of Lafayette Park. The project is being advanced as expeditiously as possible at this time to reduce impacts on public use of the park during the peak visitation season that would be the case if a more time consumptive phased approach to the construction was used.
Persons demonstrating or otherwise using these park areas should remove themselves and any personal property from the closed park areas by approximately 5:00 a.m., on Monday, January 19, 2026.
The National Park Service appreciates the public's cooperation in this matter.
