Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities FY 2011 Service Expectations

On May 3, City Council adopted a $531.6 million General Fund Operating Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, an increase of 0.3% from FY 2010. Despite challenging economic conditions, the goal of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities is to maintain its core services. As costs continue to increase in providing core services to residents, some service adjustments have been made.

• Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities FY 2011 Approved Budget 

The following information provides residents with service expectations for the FY 2011 fiscal year (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2011):

2010 SUMMER POOLS

Large Pools

The Old Town Pool, 1609 Cameron St. and Warwick Pool, 3301 Landover St. are open daily through September 6.
Operating Hours:

• Old Town Pool: Daily from noon to 7 p.m.
  Note: Monday – Friday, August 23-27 and August 30-September 3, pool operating hours will be reduced to 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Warwick Pool: Weekdays from noon to 7 p.m., and weekends 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  Note: Monday – Friday, August 23-27 and August 30-September 3, pool operating hours will be reduced to 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Neighborhood 'Mini' Pools - City Expands Operating Hours

The City's Neighborhood "Mini" Pools, John Ewald Pool, 4500 Duke St., and The Memorial Pool at the Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St., will be open on weekends through Monday, September 6, 2010.

For additional information on the Summer Pools, call 703.746.5553 or visit www.alexandriava.gov/pools.

HORTICULTURAL AREAS

Seasonal planting will continue on major right-of-ways and City portals. All other planning beds will be weeded and mulched. Residents may participate in the Adopt-A-Garden program to provide volunteer horticultural activities in non-funded planting beds. For additional information, call 703.746.5484.

TREE TRIMMING

The response time will remain the same for public requests; however the number of tree cases will be reduced. For additional information, call 703.746.5484.

MOWING INTERVALS

City’s Parks, Schools, Open Space, Alleys and Stream Valleys will be mowed as follows:

• Mowed every 3 to 5 days: Athletic fields, large parks, and high-use parks, such as Simpson and Four-Mile Run Athletic Fields; Ben Brenman and Fort Ward Parks; and Waterfront Parks.
• Mowed every 14 to 20 days: Neighborhood parks, public school grounds, libraries, bike trails, street medians, right-of-ways, and small parks, such as Ewald, Minnie Howard, and 48 South Early Street. 
• Mowed every 21 to 30 days: Stream valley park areas (Holmes Run, Four Mile Run, Brookvalley, Tarleton, and Eisenhower stream valleys), City alleys, and code enforcement cases.  
• Mowed once per year: Meadows, Glades, and “No-Mow” areas will be mowed once annually in late winter or early spring so as not to disturb nesting birds, wildlife, and emerging or flowering plants. Occasionally, areas may need to be mowed more frequently and during other times of the year.
  The frequency of mowing may vary due to weather (excess or lack of rain) or other factors such as special events, program schedules and activities.

For additional information on mowing intervals, visit www.alexandriava.gov/18076.

KING STREET TREE LIGHTING PROGRAM

The King Street Tree Lighting Program will be limited to the holiday season, and lights will be turned on beginning November 2010, and will remain on through January 2011. For additional information, call 703.746.4343.

JONES POINT PARK RECONSTRUCTION

Construction at Jones Point Park is scheduled to begin in fall 2010, and will be undertaken consistent with the Federal Highway Administration Record of Decision of June 2000.  The entire Jones Point Park will not be closed to public access during construction.  The Royal Street Community Gardens, the Lee Street Community Gardens, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Community Recycling Center will have continuous public access. Construction of the desired improvements will be undertaken expeditiously while maintaining public safety. Public access to some portions of the park will be temporarily/intermittently closed while improvements are being made.

For additional information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/34692.

FEE ADJUSTMENTS

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities increased fees for Field Rentals, Garden Plot Rentals, Youth Sports Registration, and Youth Sports Field Use Fees. In addition, the Department established an Adult Fitness Fee for fitness room use.

The Adult Fitness Fee for adults applies to the use of the fitness rooms at the Nannie J. Lee, William Ramsay, Charles Houston, and Cora Kelly Recreation Centers. This fee will apply to fitness room use only, and use of gymnasiums and game rooms at these facilities will continue to be free during non-programmed (i.e. sports leagues and rentals) operating hours for City resident use only. The City would continue to provide fee assistance for qualified applicants.

To view the Departments Fee Schedule, visit www.alexandriava.gov/12288.

Staff will continue to evaluate City services and adjust activities as required. For additional information, call the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities at 703.746.4343.