Ben Brenman Park

Around Town

West End Business Association brings expanded ‘Best of the West’ festival to Ben Brenman Park

By Emily Leayman
Beeliner Diner at Best of the West in 2023 (via West End Business Association/Facebook)

The West End Business Association continues to look for ways to raise the visibility of West End businesses with its returning festival in a larger-than-ever format.

Best of the West will return for a third year from 12-6 p.m. Saturday, June 6 in Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) in the Cameron Station neighborhood. The free event will have restaurants and other business vendors, community organization booths, a Port City Brewing Company beer garden, arts and crafts and a live music stage. Ben Brenman Drive will be closed for booths leading up to the park’s gazebo.

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News

Trail improvements coming to Ben Brenman Park through GMU partnership

By James Cullum
Pedestrian Bridge at Ben Brenman Park (image via Google Maps)

New fitness equipment, trees and shrubs are coming to a half-mile segment of the Ben Brenman Park walking trail.

The improvements at 4800 Brenman Park Drive, which are expected to arrive by early spring, are being coordinated through a partnership between Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities and a professor at George Mason University.

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News

Alexandria hosting Recovery Month Celebration on Sept. 17

By James Cullum
Ben Brenman Park (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria is hosting its Recovery Month Celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive).

The free event from the city’s Department of Community and Human Services will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. and includes live music, food trucks, and local resources to help with the recovery from opioid addiction. More from the city is below.

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News

Dumfries man charged in Alexandria park shooting stemming from TikTok argument

By James Cullum
Alexandria police cruiser (staff photo by James Jarvis)

A 35-year-old Dumfries man faces multiple charges related to a shooting last month at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) in Alexandria’s West End.

The July 10 shooting was the result of an argument in a TikTok livestream between Aria and the male victim, according to a recently released search warrant affidavit. Samir Ahmad Aria was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, shooting in a public place without injury, and pointing/brandishing a firearm — all Class 1 misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a $2,500 fine.

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News

Alexandria Soccer Association donating bench shelters worth $60K to these city parks

By James Cullum
Coach Fredy Martinez speaks to participants of the Community Youth Empowerment Program's summer soccer program at AlexRenew's Limerick Field, July 26, 2023 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Things are about to get a little cozier for Alexandria soccer players.

The Alexandria Soccer Association is providing the city with eight bench shelters (four sets of two), valued at $58,520, to be installed at the soccer fields at Ben Brenman Park (4800 Brenman Park Drive) and Limerick Field (1800 Limerick Street). On Tuesday (June 10), the City Council will consider accepting the KWIK Goal bench shelters and authorizing City Manager Jim Parajon to finalize the donation.

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Opinion

Letter to the Editor: Brenman Park’s public restrooms are an embarrassment to Alexandria – and a wake up call

By Lawrence Stanley
Ben Brenman Park (via City of Alexandria)

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.

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News

Alexandria police investigate early morning gunfire at Ben Brenman Park

By James Cullum
Gunfire was reported at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria's West End on Thursday, April 24, 2025 (via Google Maps)

No injuries after multiple gunshots were reported early this morning in the area of Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria’s West End.

The Alexandria Police Department was alerted of four gunshots in the area of the park at around 2:20 a.m.

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News

Bishop Ireton High School skips class to clean up Alexandria parks

By James Cullum
Bishop Ireton High School participated in a day of service by cleaning up 27 sites in and around Alexandria, including here on the waterfront (courtesy photo)

All of Bishop Ireton High School skipped classes today for a good cause.

More than 700 students, teachers and administrators participated in a cleanup of 30 sites in and around Alexandria, including along the city’s waterfront, Holmes Run and Four Mile Run Park.

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News

ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By ALXnow.com
Karla Berospi fits glasses on her three-year-old son, Dylan, as her daughter Arianna, 8, looks at the eclipse on her own, April 8, 2024, at Ben Brenman Park. (staff photo by James Cullum)

It was quite a week in Alexandria.

It seems that nearly all of Monday’s news was overshadowed by the eclipse. Hundreds of bespectacled residents turned out at Ben Brenaman Park to witness the cosmic event.

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News

Alexandrians watch eclipse together at Ben Brenman Park

By ALXnow.com
Fidelis Msacky and Tanya Borachi watch the sun with special glasses on the day of the eclipse, April 8, 2024 (staff photo by James Cullum)

Over the last few days, Alexandrians have endured an asteroid impact, the tremors of a distant earthquake, and now: a solar eclipse.

At a viewing party at Ben Brenman Park, hundreds of Alexandrians came together to observe the eclipse through special glasses.

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