Summer bummer: NPS to close Meridian Hill Park lawn, sparking backlash
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Meridian Hill Park's lawn spans about two acres. Photo: ALASTAIR PIKE/AFP via Getty Images)
President Trump's quest to beautify the city is colliding with backlash at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X park, where the National Park Service plans to close off prime picnic and outdoor space through the summer for repairs.
Why it matters: Yes, we have Rock Creek and the National Mall, but Meridian Hill is the public park of the inner city.
The big picture: The park has been waiting many, many years for repairs to its grand-but-broken cascading fountain, one of the longest in North America.
- The $10.7 million fix comes via the Trump administration's handyman spree ahead of the America 250 festivities, rehabbing seven landmark fountains in the city, per WaPo.
- Crews have already closed off the park's lower level and are working on the fountain and reflecting pool.
- The end goal: Water flowing the length of the fountain for the first time in seven years.
Yes, but: Locals are upset about losing the nearly two-acre lawn — just as the weather warms.
- NPS announced it'll fence off the upper-level lawn starting this Monday through Sept. 30 to restore its grass. The turf was last fixed in 2019, but worn down from use, "particularly dog walkings and sports activities," says NPS spokesperson Autumn Cook.
- A change.org petition has racked up over 2,000 signatures urging NPS to consider a phased approach to construction. And there's a "Party on the Lawn" Saturday afternoon to rally support for the cause.
- While upgrading the space is welcomed, "wholesale closure of the entire upper lawn throughout the entire spring and summer will remove one of the most vital public gathering spaces in all of Northwest DC during the months it is used most," the petition says.
Zoom in: Spanning several city blocks, Meridian Hill is the backyard of many an apartment dweller, a third space for potlucks, first dates, snowball fights and drum circles.
- "That's my park 😭," one petitioner commented.
The other side: NPS believes that "less restrictive measures are not possible" due to safety concerns and the need to "ensure resource protection," per superintendent Brian Joyner.
- The park spokesperson says NPS is grateful for folks' "patience and support" as the agency works to protect Meridian Hill "for generations to come."
Flashback: The park's lower level reopened in 2023 after undergoing almost three years of sprucing up landscaping and walkways.
