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Shirley Tyler Park or Unity Park? City Asks for Public Feedback on Arlandria Park Name

By James Cullum

Alexandria needs your help determining the best name for a park at 3550 Commonwealth Ave.

Should it be named Unity Park to reflect a place of connection, or Shirley Tyler Park after the first female African American to serve as chair of the Alexandria School Board?

Officials are asking the public to weigh in on the naming of the park in this online survey.

The city bought the half acre site in the Arlandria neighborhood in 2009. After neighborhood volunteers installed two gardens, a walking path and park benches, landscape architect Rhodeside and Harwell developed a site plan for a park that’s mostly trees and open green space, with some interactive features like game tables and a tricycle track.

The survey will remain open through March 3.

Image (top) via Google Maps (bottomw) via City of Alexandria

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.