The National Park Service created a new mobile application to help visitors find their way around the National Mall, the agency announced. The app is available for free on iTunes.
The NPS National Mall app includes a map of popular Washington, D.C., destinations, displays the user’s current location, highlights points of interest and provides walking directions to more than 70 featured sites. A “Park Lens” feature allows visitors to identify popular National Mall attractions by using their mobile device’s camera.
“Today’s visitors are more technologically attuned than ever before,” said Superintendent Bob Vogel. “The public increasingly relies on interactive maps and GPS for navigation, and we want to use this technology to enrich our visitors’ experiences. This app functions as a virtual visitor center with services that range from personalized tours to multimedia content.”
NPS developed the app as part of a larger wayfinding program. The Trust for the National Mall, the park’s official fundraising partner, raised $1.1 million, which was matched dollar-for-dollar by federal Centennial Challenge funds, totaling $2.2 million for the program.
