REUSE Engages with Meridian Hill Park Revitalization and Ongoing Community Engagement Efforts
On November 15th, Georgetown REUSE joined forces with Washington Parks and People at Meridian Hill/Malcolm X park to engage with ongoing park and community revitalization projects. Led by community organizers and nonprofits like Washington Parks and People, projects focused on revitalizing green spaces and fostering community have been shown to improve safety and a sense of community.
“Georgetown REUSE is thrilled be partnering with Washington Parks & People this year to help further their mission of creating greening initiatives that revitalize parks, nurture community health, and contribute to learning,” says Eden Beech, Head of Impact at REUSE. “Saturday was a wonderful day of action to take part in this mission and meet other community members passionate about keeping parks clean and safe. We're looking forward to continuing to engage with Washington Parks & People in the future and promote environmental justice in the local D.C. community.”
Each year, REUSE collaborates with a local nonprofit to create opportunities for positive, educational community impact, and the 2025-26 annual partner is Washington Parks and People. Both Washington Parks and People and Georgetown REUSE look to engage with their community by encouraging individuals to do a small part, donating time or clothes to help give back. An engaged community is more inclined to participate in the greater good, and the collaborative event allowed Georgetown REUSE to engage with the greater Washington DC area.
Washington Parks & People was formed in 1990 in response to the murder of a teenager outside Meridian Hill/Malcom X park. Their greening initiatives have helped to transform the park from ‘the single most crime-ridden national park in the capital region into one of its safest.’ (Washington Parks and People). For the past couple of decades, Washington Parks and People has been working on inspiring the community and restoring parks in order to renew the neighborhood and make conditions safer. Spanning four different parks, this community-based organization has been providing resources to clean up shared spaces and make them more desirable to boost access to safe public green spaces. Community participation in cleanups and maintenance can lead to empowerment and a shared responsibility for the parks and streets embedded in neighborhoods (Rupp, et al., 2020).
Working alongside REUSE members were local graduate students, the Commissioner for ANC District 1B06, and many other volunteers. The community spirit of collaboration and contribution was palpable with introductions, chatter, and laughter heard throughout the park during the cleanup. The evident motivation to engage with bettering the park and environment is indicative of the strong sense of community in the neighborhood surrounding Meridian Hill Park.
Look out for another joint event between Georgetown REUSE and Washington Parks and People in the Spring semester!
Article Reference:
Rupp, L.A., Zimmerman, M.A., Sly, K.W., Reischl, T.M., Thulin, E.J., Wyatt, T.A. and Stock, J.P. (2020), Community-Engaged Neighborhood Revitalization and Empowerment: Busy Streets Theory in Action. Am J Community Psychol, 65: 90-106. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12358