Del Ray residents did not couch their feelings about losing a neighborhood park to JD Vance’s Secret Service protection.
The City of Alexandria announced last week that, at the request of the Secret Service, it would be closing Jude Lowe Neighborhood Park in Del Ray “until further notice.” The unit block of E. Del Ray Avenue between Commonwealth Avenue and Clyde Avenue is also restricted to resident traffic only and there will be no on-street parking on the east side of the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue.
On Saturday afternoon, neighbors gathered for an impromptu celebratory wake for the park. Decorations left over from a Bachelorette party were hung from trees, neighbors brought hot dogs and donuts to share, and the park was filled with Taylor Swift and Chappell Roan music. A sign by the donuts listed them as “whatever makes sense,” a reference to Vance’s awkward recent encounter at a donut shop.
Local residents said that, while Judy Lowe Park is relatively small, it’s one of the best parks to bring young children. The park is mostly enclosed — though some residents said it really needs gates once the park is returned to residents — and it’s frequented by older children. Neighbors also said it’s common to see pop-up events occurring in the park space.
On Saturday, several attendees wore shirts or buttons supporting Vice President Kamala Harris and the yards near Vance’s home featured multiple signs supporting Harris including one labeled “Cat People for Harris Walz” — a reference to Vance’s comments about Democrats being childless cat ladies.
“It’s not cool to close this park,” one resident said.
“If he lived up in Seminary, where he belongs, this kind of thing wouldn’t happen,” another said.
The park is the latest front in a mild conflict within the Del Ray community, where nearby residents sometimes struggled to find the right balance between being welcoming and friendly to new neighbors and recognizing that Vance is antithetical to the values of many residents in the predominately liberal enclave. Those who spoke on the record shared disappointment at losing the park, but also said they recognize its necessity.
“[The Secret Service] is doing what they need to do,” said Del Ray resident Erica Toler. “We look forward to getting our park back in a few months.”
“It’s no surprise that Del Ray would come out in the most optimistic and celebratory way,” said Sandy Marks, a co-host of local politics podcast Liberally Social and chair of the Alexandria Democratic Committee. “It’s sad to lose the park, but it’s good to keep it safe for JD Vance’s kids. We look forward to getting the park back.”
