Open Space Planning establishes a framework to address the City’s short and long term open space needs by acknowledging and protecting the City’s existing open spaces and identifying additional open space opportunities for the future preservation and aquisition.

• Open Space Planning

• PARKnerships
• Community Matching Fund

• Park Studies 
  • Braddock Park
  • Fort Ward Park
  • Aquatics Feasibility Study 
  • Mount Jefferson Park
  • Cameron Run Park Planning Process
• Park Plans 
  • Park Improvement Plans 
    • Citywide Parks Improvement Plans (over 10 acres of multi-use parks)
    • Neighborhood Parks Improvement Plans (0.5-10-acre parks)
    • Pocket Parks Improvement Plans (under 0.5 acres)
  • Athletic Field Improvements
  • Dog Parks Master Plan (2000) 
  • Four Mile Run Restoration Plan (2006) 
  • Strategic Master Plan for Open Space, Parks & Recreation (2002) 
  • Urban Forestry Master Plan (2009)
• Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment 
  • The City of Alexandria Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities conducts citywide Needs Assessment survey biannually to establish priorities for the future development of Alexandria’s parks, recreation, cultural facilities, programs, and services based on identified community needs.
  • Park & Recreation Needs Assessments Reports
• 2019 Landscape Guidelines
  • The purpose of the Landscape Guidelines is to incorporate upfront ecologically based planning as a means of improving the quality of the environment within the City, while reducing maintenance requirements and costs over time. The Landscape Guidelines establish minimum standards for the protection and preservation of existing vegetation, crown area coverage, and installation and maintenance of proposed plantings including street trees, site plantings, plantings above structure, and plantings in parking and bioretention areas. The standards include reference sources for plant specification, project conditions and installation, advise on invasive species, and post-construction procedures and maintenance. Information in the Landscape Guidelines is not intended to replace, but to supplement applicable codes, ordinances, and development procedures. In any given application, the City may require additional improvements and plantings beyond the established minimums. The Landscape Guidelines are intended for use by property owners, developers, and applicants seeking Site Plan, Plot Plan, Development Special Use Permit, and/or Special Use Permit approval within the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
• Park Facilities Standards Manual 

  • The Park Facility Standards Manual (Standards) establishes minimum design, construction, and performance expectations for the City’s park features. The intent of the Standards is to inform and guide park and open space planning, capital improvements and capital maintenance, and to sustain life-cycle resource investments in public space. The Standards are a reference instrument for selection of materials, fixtures, and systems. The Standards integrate City criteria, industry standards, and applicable Federal/State/City requirements into a primary-single source document. Anticipated benchmarks for performance, function, safety, environmental impact, and anticipated maintenance/life-cycle resource needs are established by each Standard.

    Established in Summer 2012, the Park Facility Standards Manual is a living document that is updated and reevaluated coincident with advancements in industry, changes in the City’s park and open space system, and recreational needs.

    The 2021 update of the Park Facility Standards Manual included a review and revision of each standard to reflect current industry trends and technological advancements. Many new standards were added during the update, such as LED lighting options and permeable surfaces.

    Information in the manual is not intended to replace or function as specifications, construction documents, or contract documents.

    Park Facility Standards Manual —(Full PDF) Current as of January 15, 2021

    • Chapter 1 – Introduction 
    • Chapter 2 – Site Furnishings
      • Athletic Equipment Section 
      • Lighting Section 
    • Chapter 3 – Fences and Walls
    • Chapter 4 – Surfacing 
    • Chapter 5 – Park Structures
    • Chapter 6 – Playgrounds
    • Chapter 7 – Ball Courts and Athletic Fields
    • Chapter 8 – Utility Systems
    • Chapter 9 – Signs
    • Chapter 10 – Marina
• Park and Recreation Commission 
• Park Link 
• Synthetic Turf use in Alexandria

The purpose of the policy is to ensure a consistent approach for the official naming and renaming of City public parks, recreation areas, and facilities. The policy was adopted by Alexandria City Council on September 10, 2019 (Item 35: 19-2378).

City of Alexandria Naming and Renaming Policies and Procedures Public Parks and Recreation Areas & Facilities

• City Council Naming Committee