parks
After multi-million dollar renovation, Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool awash in algae... and controversy
By Jacob Gardenswartz at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 21, 2026
· 8 min read
As the nation prepares for a red, white and blue July 4 celebration, the White House is responding to a problem of a different hue: a verdant Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool rife with algae.At Trumps urging, federal officials this spring undertook a renovation project aimed at beautifying the hi...
Key takeaway During remarks in the East Room on May 4, for example, Trump lambasted previous estimates that the renovation would cost hundreds of millions of dollars, insisting he could do it better and more cheaply.
Why this matters in The Waco
The controversy surrounding the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's algae issue may seem far removed from Waco , but it highlights the challenges of maintaining public spaces. In Waco, the city's own parks and pools require regular upkeep to prevent similar issues. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's problems serve as a reminder that even with significant investment, maintenance is an ongoing process. The city of Waco's parks department faces similar challenges in keeping its own water features, such as the Brazos River, clean and free of algae. As the city continues to develop its own public spaces, it will be important to consider the long-term maintenance costs and potential environmental impacts. The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool's situation may inform Waco's approach to managing its own public spaces, particularly in terms of procurement and contracting processes, to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco 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 KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As the nation prepares for a red, white and blue July 4 celebration, the White House is responding to a problem of a different hue: a verdant Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool rife with algae.At Trumps urging, federal officials this spring undertook a renovation project aimed at beautifying the hi...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jacob Gardenswartz at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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