Department of Recreation Parks and Cultural Activities

Joseph Hensley Park fully reopens in Eisenhower West after years-long renovations

Published July 16, 2026 at 1:45PM

Amenities at the renovated Joseph Hensley Park (via Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities)

Joseph Hensley Park has completely reopened in the Eisenhower West neighborhood after years of renovations, the Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities said.

The renovated park (4200 Eisenhower Avenue) includes a new synthetic turf upper diamond field, a full-size natural turf softball field on the lower level, a replacement picnic pavilion and bathhouse and new playground. The athletic fields have new LED field lighting, scoreboards, safety netting, dugouts, spectator seating and batting cages. A flexible court and event space also provides a setting for community and recreational programming.

Around Town

‘Now or Never’ art installation at Waterfront Park to align with sun on summer solstice

By James Cullum

Published June 4, 2026 at 3:45PM | Updated June 4, 2026 at 11:29PM

A man walks by the “Now or Never” installation by Alicia Eggert, which marks the eighth installment of the Site See public art series at Waterfront Park (staff photo by James Cullum)

Cameras will be rolling on Sunday, June 21 at Alexandria’s “Now or Never” installation at Waterfront Park in Old Town.

That’s the day of the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — and artist Alicia Eggert designed the installation at 1 Prince Street to align with the sun’s path from sunrise to sunset.

News

Alexandria proposes converting parking spaces to pocket park in Del Ray

By Emily Leayman

Published June 4, 2026 at 10:30AM

Locations of proposed pocket park at 3000 Fulton Street (via City of Alexandria)

Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities (RPCA) has proposed the conversion of parking spaces to a pocket park in the Del Ray neighborhood.

The proposed pocket park would be located on a current parking island at 3000 Fulton Street at the Clifford and Commonwealth Avenues intersection. The parking island provides space for about five to six standard passenger vehicles.

News

Old Town Pool replacement plans floating to Planning Commission

By James Cullum

Published April 28, 2026 at 3:45PM

Bird's-eye view rendering looking southeast at Old Town Pool from the parking lot (via City of Alexandria)

A proposal to completely replace the Old Town Pool and bathhouse and make landscape improvements is heading to the Alexandria Planning Commission.

On Tuesday, May 5, the Planning Commission will weigh in on the proposal by the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities to completely renovate the pool facility, to fully renovate the pool facility, which has not had a major update since it opened in 1975. The meeting follows a unanimous recommendation from the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission, which endorsed the project in a letter to City Council.

News

City Council to hold public hearings on Sunday parking fees, more budget decisions

By James Cullum

Published April 17, 2026 at 3:45PM

An Alexandria parking enforcement vehicle (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria City Council has a full docket at its upcoming meeting Saturday as final budgetary decisions approach.

City Council will conduct a number of public hearings, including setting the real estate and personal property tax rates for the next fiscal year, additions and deletions to City Manager Jim Parajon’s proposed $977 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget, an increase to the stormwater utility fee, new parking fees and the addition of paid metered parking on Sundays.

News

Del Ray splash pad construction nears finish line after years of planning

By Emily Leayman

Published April 8, 2026 at 11:45AM

Construction on the interactive fountain/splash pad at Colasanto Park in Del Ray (staff photo by James Cullum)

After years of planning, a splash pad along Del Ray’s Mount Vernon Avenue will soon be available for families to enjoy in the summer season.

The Colasanto Interactive Fountain, which replaced a pool that’s been closed since 2010, is being constructed behind Del Ray Artisans at the intersection of Mount Vernon and Commonwealth Avenues. The latest timeline calls for completion in late April, according to the city’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.

News

Rise of tickborne illnesses prompts prevention campaign in Alexandria

By Emily Leayman

Published April 6, 2026 at 11:45AM

Tick prevention sign at Dora Kelley Nature Park(via Alexandria Health Department)

The Alexandria Health Department is raising concerns about the rise of tickborne illnesses as spring progresses.

The health department and Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities are partnering for a tick bite prevention campaign this spring, when tick activity increases as temperatures warm. The city is placing 30 educational signs across parks and trails encouraging residents to do tick checks. There will also be educational sessions about tick prevention and giveaways of tick removal tools at the events and the Alexandria Health Department headquarters (4850 Mark Center Drive).

News

New kayak launch on Four Mile Run wins Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

By Emily Leayman

Published March 26, 2026 at 8:30AM | Updated March 27, 2026 at 12:05PM

New Four Mile Run kayak launch (via City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities/Facebook)

A new kayak launch now open at Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria is one of 11 projects that earned a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award from Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger.

The Four Mile Run Conservancy, in partnership with the city, completed the public kayak and canoe launch with a 187-foot raised boardwalk ramp, 775-square-foot floating dock, a roller-entry launch, wheelchair transfer platform and 30-foot gangway. It is the city and region’s first ADA-accessible paddling access to the Potomac River.

News

New addition to arborist memorial installed at Fort Ward Park

By Emily Leayman

Published March 10, 2026 at 1:45PM

New plaque at Fort Ward Park's Charles W. Hendryx Memorial (courtesy of J. Glenn Eugster, Fort Ward Observer)

A new plaque honoring past arborists has been installed at Alexandria’s Fort Ward Park, adding to the existing Charles W. Hendryx Memorial.

City of Alexandria’s Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities spokesperson Catrice Callands confirmed to ALXnow a new plaque was added to the Fort Ward Arborist Memorial. The arborists honored on the plaque are Gregory A. Kernan, Jennifer Hollings, Tere O’Rourke, John Noelle and John Marlin.

News

Adopt-a-Park program kicking off in Alexandria with celebration next week

By James Cullum

Published March 10, 2026 at 10:30AM

Playing at Four Mile Run Park in Arlandria (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria’s annual Adopt-a-Park program is returning this spring, bringing community groups together to beautify the city’s parks and open spaces.

The program is kicking off with a celebration hosted by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities from 6-7:30 p.m. next Wednesday, March 18 at 2900 A Business Center Drive. The event is an opportunity for applicants and groups to connect with fellow volunteers, meet city staff, review updated procedures, get supplies and ask questions about the program.

News

Old Town Pool renovation updates expected at city meeting next week

By Katie Taranto

Published February 25, 2026 at 11:00AM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

The City of Alexandria is expected to provide an update next week about ongoing plans to replace the Old Town Pool.

City staff will share updates on the project’s design and construction timeline, and attendees will be able to provide feedback at the meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, March 5 at the Oswald Durant Center (1605 Cameron Street).