WASHINGTON (AP) - The National Park Service has named a 30-year veteran as the new superintendent of the National Mall in Washington.

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Robert Vogel, who begins on July 27, says he looks forward to tackling the "unique challenges of managing such a prominent national park." In his new role, Vogel will manage the daily operations of the mall and its memorials and oversee a $31 million budget and a staff of more than 300.

He also will manage a number of National Park Service properties downtown, including Farragut, McPherson and Franklin squares, and Washington, Dupont, Thomas and Logan circles.

Vogel previously spent four years as deputy superintendent of Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. He began working with the park service as a seasonal park interpreter.