Washington, DC’s most famous green space is the National Mall, but locals are likely to escape to Meridian Hill Park for a little downtown nature. The historic park (part of the 1,754-acre Rock Creek Park) isn’t far from the hustle and bustle of downtown Washington, but you might feel like you’re standing in an Italian plaza when you discover the great fountain at Meridian Hill Park.
Story
The park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark. The history of Meridian Hill Park begins in 1819, according to the National Park Service, when John Porter built a mansion at this location. The location was called Meridian Hill because it was the exact length of the original District of Columbia landmark. African-American astronomer and mathematician Benjamin Banneker helped establish that milestone marker.
Other memorable moments in the park’s history include 1829, when President John Quincy Adams moved into the mansion after leaving the White House and the Civil War, when Union troops camped in the park. At one point, a wealthy senator’s wife named Mary Foote Henderson also lobbied to build a new White House or the Lincoln Memorial on Park Hill.
The United States government purchased the mansion grounds in 1910, and landscape architects George Burnap and Horace Peaslee envisioned a design scheme that mimicked an Italian garden suitable for the aristocracy, but this garden would be much more democratic than that, done for the masses.
Construction began in 1914, and the park wasn’t completed until 1936. The National Park Service took over ownership in 1933, and it became a favorite getaway for Washington residents from the city. In the 1980s, the park became a site of vandalism and drug trafficking, but a concerned group of citizens called the Friends of Meridian Hill helped return the park to its former grandeur.
The National Park Service shares some fun facts about the park on its site, including the fact that Meridian Hill’s beautiful Cascading Fountain is the largest fountain in North America and that the park’s Joan of Arc statue is the only female statue on horseback in the city of Washington, DC.
Things to See and Do in Meridian Hill Park
Don’t miss out on that gorgeous fountain and gorgeous views of the city from Meridian Hill Park’s elevated overlook. According to the National Park Service, the park is divided into two main areas: the lower park, with its reflecting pool, plaza and symmetrical stairs; and an upper part with a grass and wooded area and a large terrace over the lower section of the park. Take a walk and enjoy this green space in the heart of the city, or pretend like the people you will see there and read a book or toss a Frisbee.
Weekly and annual events
Many Washingtonians know Meridian Hill Park for its weekly drum circle – every Sunday afternoon during the warm months, the drummers gather and play in the park and anyone can join in the music or just appreciate the beats. This tradition has been around for forty years, according to NPR, since the 1960s, when drummers came together to celebrate black liberation. The tradition dates back to Malcolm X’s death in February 1965, and in fact, the park also goes by the unofficial name Malcolm X Park.
In addition to the weekly drum circle, other events at Meridian Hill Park include weekly Jazzercise and swing dance classes. The park is also a popular place to go sledding in the winter months, when DC gets enough snow for a sled.
Things to do nearby
Meridian Hill Park is located in the Columbia Heights neighborhood, an enclave in central DC that is one of the most ethnically and economically diverse neighborhoods in Washington. It’s a foodie destination too – you’ll find upscale diners, taco spots, cocktail bars, and more here. Take a look at this list of where to eat in the Columbia Heights neighborhood.
Other tourist attractions in the area include the GALA Hispanic Theater, which presents classic and contemporary works in Spanish and English, and the Mexican Cultural Institute, which often has cultural programming for visitors about the vibrant cultural past and present of Mexico.
More things to know
Meridian Hill Park is open during the day and is free to the public. Find out more on the National Park Service website dedicated to the park.
