<P> In 2016, many ash trees on the grounds were removed to preemept damage from emerald ash borers . Prior to the work of CityArchRiver, there were 1,800 trees on the grounds . There are now a total of 4,200 . </P> <P> The $380 million project was funded both privately and publicly . The public funding, provided largely by Proposition P, totaled $159 million . The remaining $221 were secured via fundraising efforts of Gateway Arch Park foundation . </P> <P> The United States Congress approved the Gateway Arch National Park Designation Act in early 2018 to re-designate the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial as the Gateway Arch National Park . U.S. President Donald Trump signed the act into law on February 22, 2018 . </P> <Ul> <Li> <P> Lower south tram queue area </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The Arch from the west, looking east over Luther Ely Smith Square </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The sign at the top of the observation deck . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The St. Louis Arch as seen from the lawn . </P> </Li> <Li> <P> As seen from Laclede's Landing </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Arch at dawn </P> </Li> <Li> <P> The Old Cathedral as viewed from top of Arch </P> </Li> <Li> <P> South entrance to the arch </P> </Li> <Li> <P> At night as seen from Illinois </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Gateway Arch from below </P> </Li> <Li> <P> Looking west from the observatory </P> </Li> <Li> <P> A closeup view of South Pond, one of the two ponds inside Gateway Arch National Park </P> </Li> <Li> <P> An aerial view of North Pond, one of the two ponds inside Gateway Arch National Park, as seen from the observation deck atop the Arch </P> </Li> </Ul>

When did gateway arch become a national park