Pocket Park Renovations Will Start This Spring

After more than eight years of planning, Alexandria will soon begin revamping its pocket parks.

In April, renovations at two of the city’s 25 pocket parks — parks less than a half-acre in size — are slated to begin with the Woodbine Tot Lot at 1509 Woodbine Street and the 48 South Early Street Park.

“We’re excited to start making an impact to some of the smaller parks that mean a lot to their communities,” Dana Wedeles, a principal planner with the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, told ALXnow.

The Park and Recreation Commission received a draft plan on the renovation of the parks last month, and the final Pocket Parks Improvement Plan will be the subject of a Feb.  20 public hearing before the commission at Mount Vernon Community School (2701 Commonwealth Avenue).

The plan will then go to the city council for their endorsement, and the parks will be be slotted in the city’s Capital Improvement Program for renovation over the next decade.

Renovations at the Woodbine Tot Lot are estimated to cost $80,000. Much of that amount has been cut down due to a contribution from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which has contributed $25,000 toward the project through the city’s Community Matching Fund. Through the fund, the city provides a one-to-one matching contribution and the funds will be available at the start of the fiscal year on July 1. The renovation was made possible by the wish of a child living in the neighborhood, according to the city.

Rebuilding Together DC – Alexandria, which renovates homes and properties throughout the region, is partnering with the city on the pocket park at 48 South Early Street. The park is located in the city’s Society Hill neighborhood between Duke Street and Wheeler Avenue, and it has been adopted by the neighborhood homeowners’ association. Planned improvements include adding signage and natural play features like boulders, logs and stepping stones.

Most of the projects are stand-alone, and city staff are currently working on getting cost estimates.

Here is the city’s full list from the Pocket Parks Improvement Plan:

1. 48 South Early Street Park
2. 1301 Powhatan Park
3. 2304 East Randolph Avenue Park
4. Armory Tot Lot Park 
5. Braddock & Commonwealth Dog Area
6. Charles Hill Park
7. Chetworth Place Park
8. Elbert Triangle Park
9. Gentry Park
10. Hillside Park
11. Hunter Miller Park
12. Interior Park
13. Lake Cook Pocket Park
14. Le Bosquet at Sunnyside Park
15. Lynhaven Gateway Park
16. Lynhaven Park
17. Mason Avenue Mini Park
18. Pendleton Park
19. Portner Park
20. Potomac Triangle Park
21. Ruby Tucker Park
22. St. Asaph Park
23. Sunset Mini Park
24. Washington Way
25. Woodbine Tot Lot