Watch CBS News

Park Service To Add 500 New Signs To National Mall

WASHINGTON (AP) -- New maps and directional signs are being added to the National Mall to help visitors find Washington's monuments and museums.

The National Park Service and the nonprofit Trust for the National Mall are unveiling the first new signs Tuesday. It is the first installment of a $2.2 million effort to replace outdated signage.

The Park Service backed off earlier plans that called for small stone labels at major sites. Those signs were debated for more than a year but were voted down by the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. The panel said famous monuments don't need labels.

Park Service spokesman Bill Line says research from the National Mall plan shows first-time visitors are often disoriented. So they will add nearly 500 new signs to help people find their way.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.