parks
Crews are draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool again as part of Trump's troubled revamp
By Will Weissert, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· July 10, 2026
· 3 min read
Crews are again draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as President Donald Trump’s problem-plagued efforts to revamp the waterway pushes well past his initial goal of having it ready by July 4 to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.The president at first suggested his renovations would last a...
Key takeaway Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, whose agency oversees the National Park Service, told conservative podcaster Katie Miller in an interview released earlier this week that the new round of draining was planned.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio residents watching the saga of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's renovation may be reminded of the complexities of managing and maintaining large public spaces. While the Reflecting Pool's troubles are unique to Washington D.C., the challenges of balancing aesthetics, functionality, and public access are familiar to cities across the country, including San Antonio. The city's own public spaces, such as the River Walk and Brackenridge Park, require careful management to ensure they remain beautiful and functional for residents and visitors. The Reflecting Pool's problems, from algae blooms to vandalism, highlight the importance of careful planning and maintenance in preventing similar issues in local parks and public spaces. As San Antonio continues to grow and develop, the city's approach to managing its own public spaces will be worth watching, particularly in light of the challenges faced by the National Park Service in Washington D.C.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Crews are again draining the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool as President Donald Trump’s problem-plagued efforts to revamp the waterway pushes well past his initial goal of having it ready by July 4 to mark the nation’s 250th birthday.The president at first suggested his renovations would last a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Will Weissert, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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