First lady Melania Trump on Monday announced plans to renovate the White House Rose Garden, the historic outdoor space next to the West Wing and Oval Office.
The plans call for renewing the space to more closely resemble the original 1962 design implemented by Rachel Lambert Mellon during the Kennedy administration.
The iconic garden will be updated with improved drainage, new flowers and plants, better accessibility for those with disabilities and new support for television appearances.
“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 Monday. “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.”
The renovation plans were approved by the Committee for the Preservation of the White House. The project is supported by the National Park Service and will be funded with private donations, according to the White House.
The Rose Garden is a space traditionally used by presidents to host foreign leaders, deliver the annual Thanksgiving turkey pardons and deliver major presidential addresses.
Trump has often used the Rose Garden for official speeches, including a recent campaign-style address that triggered criticism for including a myriad of attacks on presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Past presidents have typically sought to deliver campaign messages outside the White House.
The renovation of the Rose Garden will take place this summer, meaning the venue is unlikely to be available for presidential events for at least a few weeks.