Italian-Inspired Meridian Hill Park is Named D.C.'s Top Park

Yelp.com participated in a recent report deeming Columbia Heights'  Meridian Hill Park (also known as Malcolm X Park) as the best park in the District!

With plans dating back to 1910, Meridian Hill's roots lie in Italian landscaping.  The Interior Department commissioned architects George Burnap and Horace Peaslee to create a park inspired by urban European parks.  Money magazine writes, "The most dramatic feature of the park, which is designed to resemble formal Italian gardens, is a 13-tiered sprawling fountain that spills into a large reflecting pool."  The 12-acre park also boasts several statues, including Dante, a 1921 bronze statue sculpted by Ettore Ximenez in honor of Italian poet Dante Alighieri. 

Meridian Hill Park sits between 16th St and W St NW.  Entrance fees are donation-based only.

Courtesy of Washingtonparks.net

Courtesy of Atlasobscura.com

Published by Maria Regina, Contributing Editor