It never ceases to amaze me how awesome Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park is. It was packed with folks this beautiful Sunday. I had to shoot some video of the drum circle. People were just so happy it was contagious. In addition to the drums folks were reading, sunbathing, having a picnic, tossing the frisbee. The beautiful life at its best!
And I forgot Tina did a profile last August.
Back in January I asked if folks had a name preference. At the time I voted for Meridian Hill because I had never seen Malcolm X actually written anywhere until I saw this sign. So I’m going to take the biggest cop out ever and from this point forward call it Meridian Hill/Malcolm X park. Weak, but I think it’s the proper solution. Does this sign change anyone’s mind on what is the proper name of the park?
This sculpture actually creeped me out, truth be known. But it always amazes me how I can walk past something so many times without noticing it and then one day I’m like “what the hell is that?”. Wild. So here’s the real question – does anyone recognize where it’s from?
Thanks a million to a reader for sending the following response to his inquiry:
All of the necessary infrastructure work, as well as construction work on the entire lower level of the park, were completed over a year ago.
Construction of the lodge house on the upper level has been completed and was inspected last week. That inspection revealed a few items that need to be corrected by the contractor before the Park Service accepts the building. Until these corrections have been made and the building is occupied, the fencing and plywood around the lodge house will remain in place to prevent vandalism.
The lawn areas on the upper level of the park have been regraded and sodded, and are under contractor warrantee. This means that the contractor is responsible for maintaining the lawn areas for 1 year and turning over a well established, lush lawn to the Park Service at the completion of the contractor maintenance period. The contractor has the option of leaving the snow fencing up during this maintenance period, and we expect them to do so since the contractor will face a substantial financial burden should the lawn areas be damaged.
If you are concerned about the amount of available space, the lower level is open and has not been affected by construction on the upper level.
Sincerely,
Adrienne Coleman
Superintendent, Rock Creek Park
National Park Service
So from time to time when I write about Meridian Hill Park people get a bit upset because they believe the true name is Malcolm X park. But I just noticed walking by the other day that it has Meridian Hill etched into the stone on the border of the park. So is that a recent addition? When did the name change occur? Anyone believe one name is more appropriate than another?
This is probably the coolest fountain in the city when it is filled. It’s good to see it still has a function when it’s drained.
Thanks to a reader for sending in this photo.
The reader did add:
“I’ve gotta say the delays in final renovation, primarily landscaping and grass seeding, is a major point of frustration for the immediate neighborhood. I know the park service is trying but it always seems to be two steps forward one step back.”
Fortunately, there are other parts of the park that have some nice grass. Remember folks were sun bathing just a week ago.Hopefully there’ll be some progress grass seeding the rest of the park between now and the next thousand years or so…
I remember being a little kid and spending nearly every weekend in Manhattan with my grandpa. The city was always full of excitement and there was always something to do. But, my favorite activity of all was an afternoon spent in Central Park, and my favorite thing to see was the roller skaters. There was loud music, dancing, people dressed in crazy outfits, and just an overall vibe of fun and excitement. On a recent trip to New York, I stopped by “Skaters’ Road” and was happy to see that they were still there – just as I remembered.
So, what does this have to do with DC? Well, on hot summer days I sometimes find myself lamenting that I chose to live in a city that doesn’t have a “Central Park,” but I do have a pretty nice alternative pretty much in my backyard – Meridian Hill Park. And lucky for me, Meridian Hill Park also has the closest thing I’ve been able to find to the roller skaters in our fair city – The Meridian Hill Park Drum Circle.
Around 3pm every Sunday in the warmer months drummers begin gathering at the southern edge of the parks upper level. Slowly they trickle in, and by 6:00 the circle has usually grown to include about 30 drummers, dancers, and as many as a hundred onlookers. At its height you can hear the beat throughout the entire park. And it’s been like this for more than 40 years, with beginnings tracing back to Malcolm X’s death – when drummers began to play together in celebration of his life.
The crowd changes weekly, but there are some drummers who have missed only a few weeks here and there over the course of 10, even 20 years. It’s a pretty fluid event, but there is clearly someone in charge – barking orders to quicken the tempo or slow things down. Through the years it’s become so much more than just a circle of drummers and dancers. These days you’re likely to find impromptu dance classes, hula hoopers, a yoga session, and even tight rope walkers. Story continues after the jump with pictures and a video. Make sure you watch the video! (more…)
I keep finding new (to me) ones. This one I thought was funny because it is called ‘Serenity’. But if you look closely the sculpture has been beat to hell. I know the Venus de Milo is also a bit beat up and people find tremendous beauty in it but this sculpture doesn’t convey serenity to me. Do you think ‘Serenity’ is an apt name for this memorial to Lieutenant Commander William Henry Schevtze?
I know Meridian Hill Park is still under major construction but there is a good portion of it that is as incredible as ever. I think this fountain is by far the greatest in all DC and probably Maryland as well. If you’re ever bored on a Sunday I recommend you grab the paper or a book and head straight to this fountain. Another angle and different fountain after the jump. (more…)