RPCA | ALXnow

New kayak launch washes away after rainstorms at Four Mile Run Park

Published August 4, 2026 at 2:45PM

The floating kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park broke from its moorings and floated beneath the U.S. Route 1 Bridge, Aug. 4, 2026 (staff photo by James Cullum)

The floating kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park washed away from its moorings after heavy rainstorms over the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon (Aug. 2), a stabilizing cable that kept the kayak launch in place snapped after too much pressure during high tide from trees and other floating debris. City staff were at the park on Tuesday afternoon to close the walkway leading down to the vacant space. The launch is now resting underneath the Route 1 bridge, and caution tape and a construction sign have been erected to bar anyone from using the walkway.

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

By Emily Leayman

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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).

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Notes: Old Town Pool shuts down for emergency repairs, city extends hours at other pools

By ALXnow.com

Published June 24, 2025 at 8:00AM

Old Town Pool (via City of Alexandria)

Good morning, Alexandria! Today is Tuesday, June 24, the 175th day of 2025. There are 190 days left in the year.

☀️ Today’s weather: Sunny and hot, with a high near 102 degrees. Heat index values as high as 111 degrees. Calm wind becoming northwest around 6 mph in the afternoon. Mostly clear tonight, with a low around 79 degrees. Calm wind.