Citywide Park Plan Alternative Funding Program

Page updated on May 13, 2024 at 3:53 PM
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The Park and Recreation Commission and City Council endorsed the Citywide Parks Improvement Plan in June 2014. The Plan included a list of recommendations to improve the City’s six large (over 10 acres), multi-use parks and the cost estimates for each improvement. Staff aimed to use the list to prioritize the Capital Improvement Plan while also seeking funds from alternative sources.

Staff will continue to seek alternative funding sources and partnership opportunities for the Park Plan implementation while also using the plan as a guide to budget the Capital Improvement Plan.

  • Alternative Funding to date: $218,000

FY 2015

  • Four Mile Run Park “Green Alley,” amount raised: $3,000 
    The Four Mile Run Farmers & Artisans Market raised $3,000 using an online crowdsourcing platform called Citizinvestor. The City and community group entered into a partnership agreement to formalize the efforts and document the fundraising goals and funding uses. Staff used the funds, supplementing it with an additional $2,000, to purchase and plant 28 trees along the Four Mile Run Park border to the Edison Street alley. On November 11, 2014, the community held a mulching and clean-up day at the site.
  • Simpson Dog Park Improvements, amount raised: $15,000
    Using a partnership agreement template from the Four Mile Run project, the City and community group entered into a partnership agreement with the Simpson Park Dog Owners Group (SPDOG), outlining project goals and expectations. SPDOG raised $15,000 for dog park improvements, surpassing their phase 1 goal of $10,000. The City will supplement the $10,000 with $18,000 to install lights in the dog area, which we expect to install over the winter. SPDOG aims to use the remaining $5,000 towards a future project to create terracing and stabilize the hill in the Park.
  • Simpson Park Playground & Open Lawn, amount of grant award: $200,000
    On November 10, 2014 Staff received a confirmation letter from the Department of Conservation and Recreation to approve a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant in the amount of $200,000 for renovation of the Simpson Park Playground and Open Lawn. The City will equally match this grant through funds in the Capital Improvement Plan playground account. The project is set to begin July 1, 2015. 

For additional information or to contribute to the Citywide Park Plan, contact Dana Wedeles, Urban Planner, at 703.746.5491 or dana.wedeles@alexandriava.gov.