Park Service Limits Access To DC Cherry Blossoms Due To Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC — The National Park Service will limit all vehicle and pedestrian access to the Tidal Basin, East Potomac Park and West Potomac Park during the peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus, the park service announced Tuesday.

The start and end dates of any restrictions are dependent on the bloom cycle of the trees, but are currently projected to fall between March 26 and April 12. The park service said it will post updates on its website as well as its social media accounts.

Three weeks ago, the National Park Service said it was still evaluating whether the area around the Tidal Basin would need to be blocked off to visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, the park service said it was still working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DC Health to determine whether there would be opportunities for in-person public viewing of the cherry blossoms.

But after consulting with the health officials, the National Park Service decided it was too risky to allow large crowds to visit the area.

Here are the roads and areas around the Tidal Basin that will be closed during peak bloom:

• Ohio Drive SW, from Buckeye Drive SW (Washington Channel side) to Independence Avenue SW
• East Basin Drive SW east of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial to Ohio Drive SW
• West Basin Drive SW from Ohio Drive SW to Independence Avenue SW
• Tidal Basin walking trail
• Northbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
• Southbound I-395 ramp to Potomac Park (Exit 2)
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial
• Tidal Basin paddle boats
• All curbside parking and parking lots within the closure

The National Park Service is encouraging people to virtually experience the trees at the Tidal Basin through a variety of online opportunities, including through the BloomCam, a 24/7, live, real-time look at the Tidal Basin. BloomCam will be streaming live starting March 24 on the National Cherry Blossom Festival website.

SEE ALSO: DC Cherry Blossom Festival: Peak Viewing, Online Gifts, BloomCam

The National Park Service’s cherry blossom website also provides “Bloomin’ Junior Ranger,” virtual tours of the Tidal Basin, trivia, games and a special virtual cherry blossom stamp for the Passport to Your National Parks.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival Celebration Show, a nationally syndicated variety entertainment show, will be co-hosted by actress and talk show host Drew Barrymore and Alison Starling, news anchor for ABC 7, and will feature performances and special appearances by singer Amy Grant, gospel legend CeCe Winans, 2020 "American Idol" winner Samantha Diaz, Olympic gold medalist Kristi Yamaguchi and talk show host Rachael Ray.

The celebration show will be broadcast online by Events DC on Friday, April 9, locally on WJLA-TV (ABC 7) on Saturday, April 10 at noon and on WJLA 24/7 News on Sunday, April 11 at 10:30 a.m., and will be syndicated nationally throughout April, May, and June.

Several items commemorating the 2021 National Cherry Blossom Festival are already available for sale in the festival's online gift shop. Official festival merchandise, from face masks and the 2021 official National Cherry Blossom poster, to tote bags and jewelry, can be purchased on the website.