By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) – First lady Melania Trump announced Monday she will lead an overhaul of the White House Rose Garden, billing the renovation as a "a significant renewal."
The project, Trump said, will seek to restore the garden to its original design when it was established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962.
“The very act of planting a garden involves hard work and hope in the possibility of a bright future,” the first lady said in a statement. “Preserving the history and beauty of the White House and its grounds is a testament to our nation’s commitment to the care of this landscape and our dedication to American ideals, safeguarding them for our children and their children for generations to come.”
Presidents have used the Rose Garden for of outdoor news conferences, including when foreign leaders visit during warmer months.
Trump has repeatedly used the outdoor venue to hold news conferences as the US grapples with the novel coronavirus, which more easily spreads in enclosed spaces.
In addition to bringing the space more in-line with its original design, the overhaul will also improve drainage in the area, improve infrastructure and access for disabled persons, and add support for broadcasting and audiovisual needs.
