The long-awaited Del Ray Gateway/Colasanto Interactive Fountain opened today (Sept. 10) at 2700 Mount Vernon Avenue, according to the city.
“The Colasanto Spray Park project is complete and is open for community enjoyment,” the city said on the project webpage. “The final utility connections were completed in late August.”
The fountain will be open until mid-October, according to the city.
“We are excited to finally welcome residents to the Colasanto Interactive Fountain and see families and children enjoy this inclusive space,” said Hashim Taylor, director of the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities. “I am grateful to everyone whose hard work, coordination, and partnership helped bring this project across the finish line.”
Construction on the spray park started last year, although plans for the project go back to 2021. The multi-phase Del Ray Gateway project at Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues also includes the Nancy Dunning Memorial Garden in honor of the late Del Ray resident. The spray park project features public art from artist Beatrice Coron that was installed in July.
The city used McLean-based LSG Landscape Architecture to replace the pool at Nicholas A. Colasanto Center and Park, which dated back to 1969 and closed in 2010. A 2012 aquatic facilities study determined that a spray park would best suit the area.
RPCA’s other interactive fountain is located at Potomac Yard Park (2501 Potomac Avenue) and typically operates from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October.
