Much of Malcolm X Park is slated to close at least until the end of spring for grass restoration and repairs to the historic fountain, impacting picnic plans, yoga classes, and the legendary drum circle for months to come.
The closure of the park — also known as Meridian Hill — for rehabilitation work is part of President Trump’s executive order to make “the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,” the National Park Service told The 51st. They added that the upper-level grassy areas will be closed so crews can “prune trees, remove invasive plants, repair site features, and restore turf areas.”
The news came as a surprise to residents and local leaders since the National Park Service previously said funding would not be available until “at least” the 2027 fiscal year, and there was little public outreach about the closure. With many residents still confused about what’s going on, and how long the beloved green space will be off limits, we’ve collected everything we know about the park’s closure, and what happens next.
How long is the park closed for?
Originally, the park was slated to close from March 23 to Sept. 4 — peak months for soccer, dog walking, and reading on a park bench…