If you spent any time on the National Mall Thursday, you might have noticed something out of the ordinary.
Lines of people formed in front of portajohns near the Lincoln Memorial. The scene was yet another result of the partial government shutdown.
Since bathrooms on the National Mall are closed due to the lapse in federal funding, private portajohns are one of the main options available for tourists who need to go to the restroom.
Upkeep of the National Mall has been a big focus of local leaders ever since the latest shutdown began early Saturday.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged to pick up trash left in trash bins along the National Mall amidst the absence of federal services. She said the service will cost the District $46,000 per week.
At this point, it is unclear if the District will request a reimbursement of funds after the conclusion of the shutdown.
Other groups like the Capitol Hill Business Improvement District are also pitching in to help during budget stalemate.
It announced plans to expand its clean team services in and around several neighborhood parks that are normally managed by the National Park Service.
Those parks include Lincoln Park, Stanton Park, Marion Park, Folger Park and Seward Square.
Lissette Cohen, the marketing manager of the Capitol Hill BID, said the organization felt it was important to keep the parks clean during the shutdown.
"We feel maintaining the cleanliness of national park areas is critical to the overall well-being of the Capitol Hill area," Cohen said.