WASHINGTON -- The foundation that built the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is taking over lawn care for more than 13 acres on the National Mall around the monument.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund was spurred to act by an Associated Press investigation that found there was a lack of federal money to pay for needed improvements on the Mall, officials said.
The fund plans to spend $96,000 in the coming months to repair a broken irrigation system and improve the grass through weed treatment, fertilization, aeration and other work. Fund President Jan C. Scruggs told the AP that his group intends to continue to maintain the grass in the future.
The irrigation repairs are scheduled to begin Thursday.
The group is working with the National Park Service to make sure it follows the agency's standards.