US capital’s reflecting pool cut: National Park Service
A liner at the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor this month, damaging the foam padding installed as part of a multimillion-dollar rehabilitation project, the U.S. National Park Service said.
Frank Lands, deputy operations manager for the park service, said the agency reported the June 9 incident to the U.S. Park Police.
Lands made the disclosure in a court document filed late Wednesday as part of a lawsuit filed by a nonprofit organization to stop U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration from working on a $US16 million ($23 million) rehabilitation project.
Lands said the police report showed damage to the pool “including destruction of the caulk and delaminated surface material on top of the foam padding cut with a sharp knife or razor.”
The tops of about 70 fence posts were also thrown into the pool, he said.
The disclosures mark the first time the administration has provided details of when and how the Reflecting Pool may have been damaged after work on the project was largely completed.
Trump and other officials blamed unidentified vandals for the peeling paint, a “350-foot gash” in the liner and other problems.
Trump said this week that six people were arrested, without providing details.
Ahead of America’s 250th birthday celebrations, Trump has promised to beautify the century-old Reflecting Pool, drain it and paint its base a color he calls “American flag blue.”
But since the area was restored, the water has become polluted by algae blooms and parts of the new coating have been seen peeling away from the bottom.
His administration faces a self-imposed deadline to complete the renovation before July 4th.
Trump said Wednesday that “sick people” used razors and utility knives to cut away parts of the lining.
U.S. Park Police released the surveillance footage on Wednesday evening and asked for assistance in “identifying the individual depicted herein in connection with the Destruction of Government Property investigation.”
The grainy 30-second video appears to show a person kneeling down, reaching into the reflective pool and pulling something out of the water.
Police say it was taken Friday afternoon.
In his statement to the court, Lands said the park authority plans to begin draining the Reflecting Pool following the Independence Day celebrations to make repairs, including assessing and repairing any damage to the pavement.
