A few years after looking for grants to revitalize John Ewald Park (4452 Duke Street), Alexandria is starting to put together plans to fix the somewhat neglected park.
The park still sees active use for its open field and basketball court, but few would argue the park is on par with other outdoor recreation areas around the city. In a release, the city said it’s seeking community feedback on recommendations to improve Ewald Park.
Del Ray residents did not couch their feelings about losing a neighborhood park to JD Vance’s Secret Service protection.
The City of Alexandria announced last week that, at the request of the Secret Service, it would be closing Jude Lowe Neighborhood Park in Del Ray “until further notice.” The unit block of E. Del Ray Avenue between Commonwealth Avenue and Clyde Avenue is also restricted to resident traffic only and there will be no on-street parking on the east side of the 2200 block of Commonwealth Avenue.
A new section of park in Potomac Yard is nearly ready for its public debut.
A new memo (page 8) to the Parks and Recreation Commission said the North Potomac Yard extension of Potomac Yard Park is almost ready to be opened to the public.
Dog owners rejoice: the Eugene Simpson Stadium Dog Park reopened yesterday.
The park had been closed for since late 2022 and experienced several delays, with the city ultimately firing the contractor.
The parks along Alexandria’s waterfront will be getting an upgrade to LED this fall.
In a memo to the Parks and Recreation Commission, Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities Deputy Director Jack Browand said the lights in Rivergate Park, Oronoco Bay Park, Founders Park, Waterfront Park, and Roberdeau Park will all be converted to LEDs this fall.
A park in the Braddock neighborhood is being dedicated today to late civic activist Judy Guse-Noritake, a longtime advocate for parks who died in 2022.
For years, Guse-Noritake was a regular presence at city commissions and public hearings to advocate for better park space and better amenities for mixed-income communities. She helped found the Braddock Metro Citizens’ Coalition and was a prominent voice in shaping Old Town North.
Alexandria’s outdoor pools will open up later this month.
In a release, the City of Alexandria said all pools and the Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain will open on Saturday, May 25.
Good Monday morning, Alexandria!
🌤️ Today’s weather: Expect mostly sunny skies with a high around 68 and a light southeast wind, which will shift to the south and increase to 5-10 mph in the morning. By Monday night, the sky will become mostly cloudy and the temperature will drop to a low near 52, with a south wind at 3-7 mph.
Any Alexandrian looking to register for spring classes and programs through the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities should mark Wednesday, March 20, down in their calendar.
“Registration for spring classes and programs, beginning April 1 through mid-June, will open on Wednesday, March 20, at 9 a.m. for City residents and Friday, March 22, for non-residents,” the city said in a release.
Starting next week, Alexandrians can reserve picnic areas around the city for birthday parties, quinceaneras or other celebrations and events.
The rental season runs from April to October. The parks can be reserved in four-hour blocks, from 10- a.m.-2 p.m. or 3-7 p.m.
A pedestrian bridge at Ben Brenman Park will be closed over the next month for repairs.
The closure means anyone going to the Ben Brenman Dog Park or Ben Brenman Park Volleyball Courts will have to take a small detour to another bridge further west.
