The National Park Service has spent just $46,327 of $11.8 million allocated through the Great American Outdoors Act to fix crumbling parks in Wards 7 and 8, even as the agency fast-tracked millions in upgrades to the National Mall.

A Spotlight DC investigation published Wednesday, Aug. 26, found that 62% of the funds earmarked for Anacostia Park and River Terrace Park remain unobligated. The money was supposed to replace rusty playground equipment, repave tennis courts, fix fencing and restore lighting across 12 National Capital Parks-East (NACE) sites.

Meanwhile, NPS replaced more than 1,000 benches across the National Mall and other NPS-managed sites. The agency spent $5.1 million regilding statues at Lincoln Memorial Circle, more than double the original $2.4 million estimate, after a public memo stated the work had to be completed by July 4, according to Artnet.

NACE chief of staff Michael Donato told the River Terrace Community Organization's environmental committee that the Great American Outdoors Act-funded project "will likely not see construction begin in the next couple of years."

Broken promises on the ground

Devon Brophy, a River Terrace resident, practicing architect and chair of the RTCO Environmental Committee, has six years of emails documenting conversations with NPS about park conditions. She attended a February 2024 community session at Langston Golf Course Clubhouse where NACE leaders promised work would start in late 2025 or early 2026.

"I can't even keep track of the conversations I've had and the people I've talked to, how many times I've been told it's a priority," Brophy told Spotlight DC.

River Terrace Park's single gazebo has unstable flooring, missing roof shingles, chipped concrete and exposed electrical wiring. In May 2026, a maintenance worker arrived to replace shingles but left after telling a resident the structure needed specialized attention.

July 4 fireworks exposed the gap

ANC Commissioner Tom Donohue documented conditions at the July 4 fireworks event at Anacostia Park in a blog post. No water stations were provided from Nicholson Street to Marion Barry Avenue. The park's permanent water dispenser was broken. Fireworks did not fire until midnight. The park was kept in total darkness as families with strollers and elderly relatives navigated hilly, rocky, wet terrain.

Donohue messaged Donato at 6:30 p.m. about the lack of water. Donato responded: "Copy, I'll pass that along." No solution followed.

A wider pattern

The Atlantic reported that NPS created a separate "White House priorities" docket for projects linked to President Trump's Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act. NPS spending on projects outside Washington fell by $854 million (68%) in the first 8.5 months of fiscal year 2026 compared to the prior full year, while D.C.-area spending rose roughly $100 million.

The AP reported that approximately 1,500 approved maintenance projects were relegated to a "low priority" list and are expected to go undone.

Edward Stierli, mid-Atlantic regional director of the National Parks Conservation Association, said the situation "needs congressional oversight and a clear explanation for taxpayers and residents in Anacostia."

An NPS spokesperson said in a statement that design and planning for the River Terrace and Anacostia parks project is ongoing and called it a priority.

Investigative journalist Matthew McClure filed a Freedom of Information Act request in late June regarding fund use for fiscal years 2024–25. The Department of the Interior responded that no records were available and redirected queries to NPS. NPS redirected back to the department. NPS Associate Regional Director Tammy Stidham declined to be interviewed, Spotlight DC reported.

What's next

Sen. Steve Daines (R-Montana) has introduced the America the Beautiful Act, which would extend the Legacy Restoration Fund for eight years with $2 billion in annual funding. The bill is pending in the Senate.

Friends of Anacostia Park holds monthly park care days on the third Saturday at 10 a.m. through Oct. 17 at the Anacostia Park Roller Skating Pavilion. Late Skate returns to the pavilion at 1500 Anacostia Drive SE on Saturday, Sept. 26, noon to 10 p.m., with free skating, boat trips, music and games.