If you are having a hard time keeping your lawn looking tip-top, imagine what you would do if you had 30 million or so people walking around on yours every year.

In 1791, Pierre L'Enfant designed the 684-acre National Mall in Washington, D.C. The park has more than 3,000 events each year, which mean a lot of visitors tromping back and forth on the lawn. The soil has become so compact that nothing will grow in it. A much-needed restoration is under way this year and it will include new grass and repairs to the park's monuments.

It is one of the hardest areas in the world to grow grass. Scientists were consulted as to what kinds of grass or sod to plant and how to keep it all watered.

I wonder if Clemson University experts were consulted. I find it very interesting to learn more about these kinds of projects, mainly because it might give children insight into what field of education to follow. I have met some interesting graduates of Clemson who have studied all sorts of projects such as this one.

The grass dilemma alone probably took lots of thought -- and then there's the issue of how to keep it watered.

The estimated cost of the total restoration of the Mall is $700 million.

Babbie Guscio is the social columnist for The Bluffton Packet. She can be reached at The Store on Calhoun Street.