Most of Malcolm X Park is closing until early summer for repairs. But it might have been closed for a whole lot longer if it hadn’t been for a last-minute community rally. Here is everything we know so you can plan your picnic in peace.
Wait, Malcolm X Park Is Closing? For How Long?
The National Park Service announced it would be closing the upper-level lawn from Mar. 23 to Sept. 4 — aka the whole summer — in order to restore the park’s turf, prune trees, and repair signage and other features. But, as of my Tuesday afternoon walk, the upper part of the park remained open.
Due to significant public outcry, the original timeline of the closure has been shortened. Now, the National Park Service tells us they expect the upper level lawn to be closed until early summer. Washington Parks and People previously reported that the walkways could reopen after only 2 - 3 weeks, but we were unable to confirm this with NPS.
The lower level of the park has been closed since January for a $10.7 million fix to the fountain a la the Trump administration's handyman spree ahead of America’s 250 anniversary, per WaPo. NPS did not confirm with us when this section might reopen.
The lower part of Malcolm X remains fenced off. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
The Backlash
Many community members felt that the closure came as a surprise and were less than thrilled about one of D.C.’s most iconic outdoor spaces being out of commission in the height of summer.
“When we found out that NPS, through Trump's “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful Initiative,” was going to close the park for six months until September without any public notice … My community members and I were pretty devastated and quickly came together,” said Kendall Schrohe of the Keep Malcolm X Open Coalition.
The coalition put up a petition that quickly racked up more than 3,000 signatures asking NPS to consider a phased approach that would maintain some public access during the repair process. The weekend before it closed they hosted a “Save the Lawn” party and a few other community events.
Several community events on the lawn have already been put on pause, including regular free yoga classes and the iconic drum circle that’s been going since the 1960s.
Signs from the Keep Malcolm X Open Coalition. (Kaela Cote-Stemmermann/City Cast DC)
But Some Repairs…Might Be Nice
Walking through the park, there is no denying it’s not looking its best. A long winter of snow and slush followed by flurries of dogs and picnic goers have obliterated the lawn’s grassy allure. (It resembles a dirt patch more than anything else.) Many residents are itching to see it restored.
“I'm fine with it being closed for a summer if it means it won’t turn into a muddy mess of dog sh*t and dirt. The park needs love, and I’m glad it is getting it,” said one Redditor.
“I'm with NPS here. That 'lawn' is in horrible shape and needs to be rehabilitated,” said another.
Hopefully, if NPS sticks to a shortened timeline, we can get the best of both worlds and can be enjoying picnics in the lush green grass by summer.
What Happens Now?
The Keep Malcolm X Open Coalition considers the shortened timeline a partial win but are still fighting for an exact timeline and greater transparency around the project, including opportunities for public input.
“We just want them to commit in the future to try to involve the community more in decisions like this,” said Schrohe.
