MALCOLM X PARK

Some years ago, I heard a Saturday morning Radio National program with an interview with an American urban planner, in Melbourne for some conference.  He mentioned Malcolm X Park in Washington, which had become a place of drug deals and muggings, until local citizens formulated a successful plan to take control back.  Volunteers became "park greeters" approaching people in the park to talk to them, festivals, concerts and neighbourhood events were organised.

So today we caught the Circulator bus out there to visit.  Officially known as Meridian Park, it is a long rectangle, the lower front having water features including the gently tumbling cascades.  Steps on either side lead to a flat area with grass down the middle, paths beside that with thirty park benches each side, then trees and other grass or bushy space against the roadways.  It is not the most pristine park.  The grass is worn to dirt in some places.  But it has joggers, dog walkers, family groups moving through it.

Malcolm X Park is set in a residential area and some of the buildings were particularly attractive.

 

In several locations today, we saw a whole line of food trucks, selling a variety of eating options.

We caught the Circulator bus out to Georgetown and completed the route back into Washington Centre.  Parts of Georgetown appeared to have a very English style.

Then we headed to a choice of Robert's: the Crime and Punishment Museum.  The punishments dated back to medieval times, so I scurried past them!  But lots of details about various American criminals, from Wild West times, through early mobsters to serial killers, fraudsters and hackers.   Some good displays about crime investigation; artefacts from crimes like the bullet riddled car of Bonnie and Clyde.  There were mug shots of famous persons, like a youthful Bill Gates (for a traffic violation).  All in all, it was quite comprehensive and interesting.

That is Ted Bendy's car in the background, but what a playful touch for the area to queue in the entrance?  Handcuffs!