Park News
Alexandria Parks
Adopt a Garden or Park
Adopt-a-Garden
The Adopt-a-Garden program is a cooperative venture between the City of Alexandria and its citizens. Through an agreement with the City, an individual, community, or group assumes responsibility for assisting in the maintenance of a garden located on public property. The program was created after many involved citizens and organizations expressed interest in creating new gardens on City property or maintaining existing City gardens.
Adopt-a-Park
The Adopt-a-Park program is a cooperative venture between the State of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and Alexandrian citizens to improve the appearance and condition of Alexandria’s small urban parks and open spaces.
Community groups monitor and clean up their park at least once a week from April through November. City officials visit these parks once a month and award points based on the park’s condition. At the season’s end, cash awards are made to participating groups based on the points earned. Community groups can use the awards to fund their own activities or donate them towards park improvements such as benches, additional play equipment, drinking fountains, and landscaping.
How do participants benefit?
- Adopt-a-Park provides citizens an opportunity to volunteer and improve their park and environment. Your organization can benefit through an increased sense of ownership and involvement in your community. The once-a-month inspections lead to cash awards at the end of the season.
Who can participate?
- Permanently established community or public organizations, businesses, or government entities within the City of Alexandria can participate. Groups will need a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) to receive the monetary award at the end of the season.
How do I get my group involved?
- Submit an Adopt-a-Park Volunteer Application to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities for review and a department representative will contact you shortly.
Urban Forestry
Park & Recreation Facility Naming Policy
On September 4, 2019, City Council approved the "Naming and Renaming Policy and Procedures for City Public Parks and Recreation Areas & Facilities." The policy establishes a consistent approach for the official naming and renaming of City public parks, recreation areas, and facilities. Parks, recreation areas, and facilities include all property owned by assets under the City’s ownership and/or under the control of the City’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities including, but not limited to, buildings, structures, open space, public parks, natural areas, wetlands, and environmental habitat.
Specifically, the policy (full policy text here):
- Provides a clear definition of City resources applied to this policy,
- Establishes a consistent process for encouraging public participation in the naming, renaming, and dedication of parks, recreation areas, and facilities,
- Establishes and identifies two naming processes: “Community Driven Solicitation” and “City-led Solicitation”, and
- Defines the role of City Council, through the City Council Naming Committee, in the naming and renaming process for parks, recreation areas, and facilities.
If a community group or individual is interested in submitting a name recommendation, they may send a letter to the Director of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities either by mail or e-mail. The submission must include the justification for the proposed name, including how the name meets the criteria in the policy, at least one letter of recommendation from representatives in the community, such as a community organization (HOA/Civic Association), and an explanation of any additional information on a community outreach process.
