African American Heritage Park
Park Location: 500 Holland Lane
Park Area: 7.60 acres
This park is part of the mixed-use Carlyle Development and a satellite site for the Alexandria Black History Museum. The hours of this park are from Dawn to Dusk and this park may be rented for events through the Alexandria Black History Museum.
The Alexandria African American Heritage Memorial Park is located at 500 Holland Lane on the east side of Holland Lane. This park includes a one acre 19th century African American Cemetery. There were 21 known burials on this site and six identified headstones remain and are in their original location. The park was designed to include part of the original landscape of the cemetery and a wetland. The memorial sculptures in the park are the creation of Washington D.C. sculptor, Jerome Meadows.
The focal point of the park is a sculpture group of bronze trees called “Truths that Rise from the Roots Remembered”. This acknowledges the contributions of African Americans to the growth of Alexandria. Other sculptures throughout the park commemorate historic African American neighborhoods. On June 17, 1995 the Norfolk Southern Corporation presented the park to the City of Alexandria.
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All Veterans Park
Park Location: Entrance near the intersection of Pickett St and Holmes Run Parkway
Park Area: 9.60 acres
Park Usage: Memorial Park, Picnic Areas, Sitting Areas, Trails for Walking, Biking, and Jogging.
Entry to All Veterans Park is near the intersection of Pickett Street and Holmes Run Parkway. The park is found along the same linear stretch of parks that straddle the Holmes Run Stream and is on the South Bank of Holmes Run, across from Brookvalley Park. The two parks are connected by the Beatley Bridge which was dedicated in honor of Alexandria’s former mayor. The park was dedicated to all Veterans who have given service to their Country.
There is a kiosk located at the entrance to the park where various types of notices and information are posted. There is a dog exercise area that parallels Pickett Street and a trail that meanders through the park. The trail continues past the Memorial placard and flag pole, park benches, picnic tables, ornamental trees, flower beds, and mounds of grass.
On the northern edge, the trail parallels the water of Holmes Run. An Observation Deck built on the bank can be used to view the Bi-Centennial Tree across the Run or the Beaver Dam or simply the natural scenery.
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Angel Park
Park Location: 201 West Taylor Run Parkway
Park Area: 11.0 acres
Angel Park is located at 201 W. Taylor Run Parkway. It is bordered North and South between Taylor Run Parkway to the West and South View Terrace to East. There exists between these borders a natural area with a creek (Taylor Run) that runs down the middle of the park and a foot bridge connects the two sides by path.
There is a ballfield on the West side of the Park that is annually scheduled for Little League and T-Ball during Baseball Season. The neighborhood children use the field for pick up games of baseball/softball, soccer, and touch football. There is also a basketball court that is popular with the local kids and young adults in the neighborhood.
There is a park shelter with picnic tables and barbeque grills that the Community uses in a variety of ways such as birthday parties, Community Days, sports team activities, Fourth of July, or just plain relaxing in the Park.
There also exists at Angel Park a unique type of Tot Lot unlike any other playground in the City. The playground has a variety of types of play equipment -- swings, a slide, a sand box, and fencing. However, it’s the unusual way the playground is constructed onto the side of the hill that it conforms to that makes it unique.
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Armistead L. Boothe Park
Park Location: 520 Cameron Station Boulevard
Park Area: 12.55 Acres
Park Usage: Lighted softball/soccer field, a picnic pavilion with grills, restrooms, a playground area with play equipment, two tennis courts, a tennis/basketball court and pedestrian and bike trails.
On June 13, 2000, the Alexandria City Council approved the naming of the west end park at the former U.S. Army base at Cameron Station in honor of the late Armistead L. Boothe. A native Alexandrian, Boothe served as a special assistant in the United States Office of the Attorney General from 1934 to 1936 and as city attorney of Alexandria from 1938 to 1943. He was a staunch opponent of the conservative Harry Byrd Machine and its policy of massive resistance to public school integration in the 1950s.
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Armory Tot-Lot
Park Location: 208 S. Royal St.
Park Area: 0.20 acres
Park Usage: Playground/Tot-Lot, Sitting Area
The history of this site dates back to the 1940's when the National Guard Armory Building existed. In the late 40's the City made use of a portion of the building to operate recreational leagues. Unfortunately, the building burned to the ground soon thereafter and was never re-built. The City developed the site into a children’s playground in the early 1950's and has been maintaining it as such, up to the present time.
The playground (Installed 1/96) consists of a climbing structure with tube slide, swings, sand box, spring animals and talk tube. The background of the Tot Lot is a 10 foot solid board fence to keep the children out of the alleys. The front of the playground has a more aesthetically pleasing and architecturally appropriate iron fence and gates, with handicap accessible ramp. Age group 5 to 7 years.
There are sitting areas complete with benches and the park has trees, shrubs, and flower planting beds, and finally the pathways are covered with rectangular flagstones.
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Beach Park
Park Location: 201 Rucker Place
Park Area: 1.30 acres
Park Usage: Small Soccer Field, Amphitheater, Playground, Sitting Areas, Picnic Area, Walking/ Jogging Area.
Beach Park is located at 201 Rucker Place across from Maury School between Johnston Place and Junior Street. In 1954, the Rosemont Civic Association established as it’s first task the development of a “Rustic” park area and tiny tots playground on the City owned land behind Maury School. Under the direction of Eugene Barnwell, Director of Recreation at that time, the City and the neighborhood joined together in the initial development of the Park.
Many mature oak and maple trees and several smaller dogwoods and locust trees exist in the park. The park is used extensively by Maury School and the Rosemont neighborhood.
In the early 1970's the park was re-developed and re-named in honor of Miss Lillian Beach, the Principal of Maury School. The park contains play equipment, an amphitheater, and a small soccer field. Since the 1970's, the Rosemont Civic Association hosts an annual Octoberfest in the park.
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Ben Brenman Park
Park Location: 4800 Brenman Park Drive
Park Area: 50.37 Acres
This west end park located on the east end of the fomer U.S. Army base at Cameron Station was named in honor of the late Colonel Ben Brenman,(US Army-retired) on June 23, 1998, by the Alexandria City Council. Colonel Brenman contributed his time and talent as an Alexandria Community activist for over 30 years. His involvement in scores of projects, including acquisition of this parkland, has enriched the quality of life for citizens of Alexandria.
Features include: Softball field, Little League Baseball field, Soccer field, a lake with gazebo and fountains, restrooms, pedestrian bridges, picnic pavilion with grills, pedestrian and bike trails, fenced dog park, small amphitheatre, seasonal farmers' market and tot lot (playground).
Ben Brenman Park Rental Information
Amenities: amphitheater, gazebo and fountain, fenced dog park, lake, multi-use fields, parking, picnic areas play equipment, restrooms, seating, trails, volleyball equipment.
*No alcohol permitted in Ben Brenman Park.
*NOTE: When groups in the "B" or "C" category are charging an admission, or otherwise attempting to raise funds, that organization will automatically move into the next highest classification. See Types of Organizations.
Hours of Operation (April to October):
- Monday - Friday: 8 am - 8 pm
- Saturday: 8 am - 8 pm
- Sunday: 8 am - 8 pm
Cost Center Report
West End Farmers' Market
- Sundays, May through October from 9 am - 1 pm. For additional information, click here.
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Beverley Park
Park Location: 620 North Overlook Drive
Park Area: 1.90 acres
Park Usage: Playground with a Park Shelter and Picnic Tables, Hard Court Play Area, Sitting Areas, Wooded Nature Area, and Summer Camp.
Beverley Park is a unique park and playground in that it seems to be sitting in a large open ditch or pit. However, it’s not so unusual since, in fact, Beverley Park was exactly that, a gravel pit. The area at 620 N. Overlook Drive was used as a staging area and gravel pit when the homes in the Beverly Hills neighborhood were being built. After the new home construction was completed, the site was cleaned up and a playground was installed. The park was officially opened on June 13, 1943.
Today, the park is bordered to the south by a heavily wooded nature area that includes a path that leads down to Halcyon Drive. The park has a hard court surface that has lines painted on it, so that the little children on their tricycles can pretend to use them as traffic lines, or they can play bounce their ball types of games or roll their toy trucks and cars.
The playground has a swing set, two climbing structures with tube slides and different platforms to discover. There is a merry-go-round and spring animals. There is a park shelter with picnic tables, benches and a water hydrant that the area park participants use for watering flower beds, grass and trees.
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Brookvalley Park
Park Location: 5599 Holmes Run Parkway
Park Area: 30.0 acres
Park Usage: Community Park, scenic natural area, biking and walking, playground, exercise area, sitting and picnic areas, ballfield, garden plots and the Bicentennial Tree.
Brookvalley Park is located at 5599 Holmes Run Parkway between the Holmes Run Scenic Easement to the north and Tarleton Park to the south. This park possesses some the most beautiful scenery that can be found within Alexandria. The Bicentennial Tree resides at Brookvalley which is the oldest tree in Alexandria.
The Park straddles Holmes Run (creek), and it exhibits a natural habitat to many species of animals. There is a bridge that connects the southern end of the Park, the bridge is named for Charles E. Beatly Jr. the former Mayor. South of the bridge you can find a beaver dam under construction across from the Observation Deck that was built on the west side of Holmes Run at All Veterans’s Park.
Throughout the park on both sides of the run there are several sitting and picnic areas that are used by the community for resting and quiet reflection. These areas are especially popular with the seniors as they enjoy the many birds and animals as well as the natural scenery.
The local Community uses the trails for scenic walks, jogging, biking and foot traffic from one Park to the other. Brookvalley Park is connected by trail to Holmes Run Scenic Easement to the north and All Veteran’s Park to the southwest and Tarleton Park to the southeast.
On the north side of Brookvalley Park scattered throughout the Park there are several childrens play structures and one large play area at the northwest end. Also, at the Northwest end of the Park there is a ford across the Run that crosses from north to south. There is a ballfield on the east side of Brookvalley Park that the local community uses for pick-up games of Soccer and Football. On the west side of Brookvalley resides the Garden Plots which can be rented from the 4-H club.
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Chambliss Park
Park Location: 2505 North Chambliss Street
Park Area: 6.0 acres
Park Usage: Two Tennis Courts with a Parking Area, Heavily Wooded Nature Area with a Walking Path.
Tennis courts are located near the dead end of 2505 N. Chambliss Street. There is also a small parking lot located with the court. At the end of the street there begins a foot path that meanders through the park down towards Dora Kelly Nature Park. It is a beautiful primarily unspoiled nature area that is very popular with walkers and bikers.
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Charles W. Hill Park
Park Location: 300 East Oxford Avenue
Park Area: 0.11 acres
Park Usage: Sitting areas, walking path, and neighborhood meet and greet place.
This is a quiet neighborhood park located at 300 East Oxford Avenue. The park was named in honor of the Alexandria Police Officer who gave his life in the line of duty during the latter part of the 1980's, Corporal Charles W. Hill.
The park is lined by hedges on the north side and there is a sidewalk that sort of meanders through the park from east to west. People stroll to and from the park using this path or walk their dogs etc. There are also sitting areas with ample trees for shade and open turf areas for children to run around and play.
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Chetworth Park
Park Location: 810 Chetworth Place
Park Area: 0.28 acres
Park Usage: Small neighborhood park.
Chetworth Park is located in the North Old Town Area at 810 Chetworth Place, hidden amongst the townhouses off Michigan Court and Chetworth Place near Bashford Lane. This small fenced park has a history that dates back over a decade. The park originally embodied the “Out of the Way” public park that resembled a common area for the neighboring townhouses. There are several townhouses whose back gates open directly to the park.
In the early 1980's, the community voted for play equipment to go into a portion of the park. The remaining area of the park is used by all residents as passive open space.
In the summer of 2002, a new playground was installed, along with new fencing and irrigation system.
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Chinquapin Park
Park Location: 3210 King Street
Park Area: 21 acres
Before the Chinquapin Park and Center the site was formally known as Chinquapin Village which had been a residential area since 1941. The buildings which were barrack/bivouac type structures were built as a wartime emergency facility by the United States Navy. The City acquired the property at 3210 King Street in the mid 1960's and the site was originally proposed to have a minor amusement park with a small ferris wheel, a petting zoo, ice skating and roller rinks, bicycle rentals and snack concessions. A mini train was proposed to connect the different areas of the park. On Monday, July 5, 1971 at 4:00 p.m. Mayor Charles E. Beatley Jr. officially opened Chinquapin Park. Festivities included a watermelon eating contest, sack races, musical concert and fireworks. The Park inventory today consists of the practice football field which during the late Summer and Fall is used by the T.C. Williams Football Teams, the School Band, and the ROTC program. During the school year, the High School gym classes use the field daily. The Men‘s and Women’s Varsity and Junior Varsity Soccer Teams use the field in the Spring.
Chinquapin Park Rental Information
- Picnic Area Rental Fees
- Fees must be paid in advance in order to reserve a picnic area. Make check or money order payable to the ‘City of Alexandria’. Cash payments must be in exact amounts; change will not be provided.
- You must be a City of Alexandria resident in the following zip codes to reserve the park: 22301; 22302; 22304; 22305; 22311; 22312 and 22314.
- No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park. There is no electricity or running water. Moon bounces are not admitted.
- You may reschedule your picnic to an alternate date within the same season (April-October). Refund of park fees will be granted if received in writing and minus a $20 processing fee.
- Falsification of applications and permits by an individual a group can result in denial of park use at any City location.
- All activities may be cancelled by the City due to unfavorable environmental conditions which may seriously damage the park or be hazardous to users (ie. Excessive heat).
Hours of Operation (April to October):
- Monday - Friday: 8 am - 8 pm
- Saturday: 8 am - 8 pm
- Sunday: 8 am - 8 pm
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Doctor Oswald Durant Memorial Center Park
Park Location: 1605 Cameron Street
Park Area: 1.76 acres
Park Usage: Provides programs in therapeutic recreation, art, music and pottery.
Doctor Oswald Durant Memorial Center at 1605 Cameron Street began its existence as a U.S.O. Designed by architect Ward Brown, it opened May 30, 1942. In 1946, it was turned over to the City of Alexandria and named the Cameron Street Recreation Center.
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Dog Parks
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities provides Dog Exercise Areas and Fenced Dog Parks for the convenience and enjoyment of City residents. Off-leash Dog Parks are an important part of the City's park system. They provide designated areas for dogs and their owners to exercise and recreate without disrupting other uses of the parks. Dog owners who believe their pets are not safe in an open exercise area are encouraged to visit a fenced dog park. Please enjoy these designated areas and respect the leash laws when using other park areas.
Fenced Dog Parks:
- Simpson Stadium Park at Monroe Avenue
- 5000 block of Duke Street east of the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Library
- Montgomery Park at the corner of Fairfax and 1st Streets
- Ben Brenman Park by Backlick Creek
- Dog Run Park at Carlyle, 450 Andrew’s Ln.
Unfenced Sites / Dog Exercise Areas:
- Founders Park at Oronoco Street and Union Street*
- Windmill Hill Park Gibbon and Union Streets
- Southeast corner of Braddock Road and Commonwealth
- Hooff's Run, east of Commonwealth between Oak and Chapman Streets
- Area between Ft. Williams and New Ft. Williams Parkway*
- Along Old Mill Run west of Gordon St. (Tarleton Park)*
- Along Chambliss Street south of tennis courts*
- North Fort Ward Park East of Park Road*
- Median at E. Timberbranch Parkway and Timberbranch Drive*
- Chinquapin Park east of loop
- Area east of entrance to Monticello Park*
- Edison Street cul-de-sac*
- W&OD Railroad at Raymond Avenue*
* Unfenced sites are marked with bollards
Dog Park / Exercise Area Rules
For the enjoyment of City residents and their dogs, the following rules apply at the Dog Parks and Exercise Areas:
- All dogs must be under the owner's/handler's control.
- Only three dogs per person (owner/handler) are allowed.
- All dog handlers must have a leash in hand at all times.
- No female dogs in heat are allowed.
- Only dogs 4 months and older are allowed.
- Dogs must be legally licensed, vaccinated and wearing both current tags.
- Dog owners/handlers must keep their dog(s) in view at all times.
- Any bite of a person or other dog must be immediately reported to Alexandria Animal Control and parties involved must wait for an officer to respond, except in the case where immediate medical care is needed.
- Dogs must not be allowed to bark incessantly or to the annoyance of the neighborhood.
- Dog owners/handlers must immediately pick up and dispose of, in trash receptacles, all dog feces.
- Aggressive dogs are not allowed at any time. An aggressive dog is defined as a dog(s) posing a threat to human beings or other dogs. Owners(handlers) are legally responsible for their dog(s) and any injury caused by them. Dogs must be on leash when entering and exiting.
In addition to the above rules, the following applies at Fenced Dog Parks:
- Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult when inside a Fenced Dog Park.
- Food is not allowed inside the Fenced Dog Park, nonalcoholic beverages are allowed.
- If people are not abiding by these regulations, please contact Alexandria Animal Control at 703.838.4775.
Dog Park Regulations
ENews Announcement - City of Alexandria Reminds Dog Owners About Rules to Remember When Romping with Rover (released October 10, 2008)
Please call 703.746.5484 for directions to dog parks.
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Dora Kelley Park
Park Location: 5750 Sanger Ave.
Park Area: 50.0 acres
Park Usage: A nature park/natural area with a Walking and Biking Path, Sitting Areas, Nature Center exhibiting live animals, Nature Instruction Classes, Guided Park walk through with the Park Naturalist, and a Nature Library.
This is the largest park in Alexandria. It has several entries, but the main entrance is located at the corner of Beauregard Street and Morgan Street. Visitors can walk down a wooden boardwalk bridge to the creek called “Holmes Run”, which is named for the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Oliver Wendell Holmes who presided at the turn of the century.
Holmes Run or the “Run” has endured many changes over the years. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes caused extreme damage, most notably the tearing out and destruction of the overpass at Van Dorn Street and the Run ($300,000 plus an additional $200,000 to clear away 29 acres of trees and debris from the stream after the Hurricane). The Run is fed from the dam at Lake Barcroft in Fairfax County and feeds into the Potomac River.
The Park, prior to the City’s acquisition of the property, was known as “Rolfs Tract”. Many individuals were instrumental in its acquisition most notably former Director of the Department of Recreation, Eugene L. Barnwell and the Community Activist, Mrs. Dora Kelley, for whom the park is named.
Visitors can walk or bike through Dora Kelley Park, sit in the provided areas and just reflect on the beautiful scenery. You can examine the stream, the pond, the hilly terrain, the trails, the wildlife, or go to the Nature Center and talk with the Park Naturalist and view the many exhibits there. All in all a very pleasant experience.
The Nature Center was recently renamed the “Buddie Ford Nature Center” in honor of the late Jerome Buddie Ford, a City employee and public servant for over 40 years. Mr. Ford’s record of accomplishment and his contributions to quality of life to the people of Alexandria will never be forgotten.
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