About

Grassroots Readers was started in Spring of 2022 by a local community member in Washington, D.C. who loves reading in green public spaces. The idea for Grassroots Readers came about from a moment of curiosity while observing many other people reading in Malcolm X Park / Meridian Hill Park and wondering what book they were reading and if fellow park readers may have book recommendations to share.

The DC Grassroots bookmark was then developed to serve as a simple signal for park readers to use as they are reading to show that they are a part of a community of readers who are open to briefly connecting about their shared love of reading in public spaces. This neighborhood project was named DC Grassroots Readers (DCGR) to symbolize the green space where people enjoy reading, highlight the organic connections that take place, and demonstrate this is coming from the community and is inclusive for all who enjoy reading in this beautiful public green space.

Thanks to an informal collaboration with Mt. Pleasant library and other local organizations, DCGR has grown – you can get free bookmarks at their events and a few local bookshops have a limited supply of bookmarks on hand. What’s next? Hoping to grow and expand the DCGR chapter so that more people can connect about their shared interest in reading in Malcolm X Park / Meridian Hill Park and beyond! Hope to see you at the park!