In a letter to the editor, Alexandria resident Lawrence Stanley voices outrage over the “shameful reality” of neglected public restrooms at Brenman Park.
Stanley describes unsanitary conditions, including feces-stained toilets and abandoned clothing, persisting over time, even with a satellite police station operating from the same facility. He calls for accountability from city leadership to restore the park’s restrooms to a dignified and usable state for the families, seniors, and community members who rely on this public space.
Letter to the Editor
Alexandria is known for its charm, its tight-knit neighborhoods, and its family-friendly parks — but behind the tree-lined paths of Brenman Park lies a shameful reality that deserves public scrutiny. The public restrooms near the playground and high-rise building have fallen into a level of neglect that can only be described as something you’d expect in a developing country.
This isn’t hyperbole — it’s fact. Feces-stained toilet seats, abandoned pants, and the stench of human waste greet families who attempt to use a city facility that should represent the minimum standard of public sanitation. These are not isolated incidents; I personally returned over a week later to find the exact same filth still untouched.
The most disturbing part? This isn’t happening in a forgotten corner of the city — it’s unfolding steps away from a satellite police station operating from the same bathhouse facility, open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Our local tax dollars are supporting a public safety post attached to a building unfit for even the most basic human use.
This park is a staple for young families, seniors, and community members who rely on it for recreation, wellness, and social connection. And yet, they are forced to avoid facilities that should offer relief — not revulsion.
We often say it takes a village, and it does. But it also takes accountability. Residents shouldn’t have to beg for public restrooms to be cleaned in a city of this caliber. If we can’t get the basics right — sanitation, safety, and respect for community spaces — then what message are we really sending to our residents, our visitors, and our own children?
The time for polite nudges is over. It’s time for city leadership to do their job and restore Brenman Park to the family-friendly, dignified space it’s meant to be.
Lawrence Stanley, Alexandria
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