Joseph Hensley Park Renovation

The City is currently implementing a renovation of Joseph Hensley Park in phases. The approved plan will implement the recommendations of the 2014 Joseph Hensley Park Improvement Plan as amended in 2021. The project will implement improvements in two phases.
Page updated on Apr 18, 2025 at 3:10 PM
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Project Description

In 2018, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) began designing renovations of Joseph Hensley Park (4200 Eisenhower Ave). Proposed improvements are based on the findings of substantive community outreach, which culminated in the 2014 Joseph Hensley Park Citywide Parks Improvement Plan. Over the design development process, several amendments to the 2014 plan were endorsed by the Park and Recreation Commission and the greater City of Alexandria Community. Joseph Hensley Park Renovation will maintain the diamond and rectangular athletic uses onsite while delivering the following improvements over the course of two independent construction periods: 

  • address stormwater and site drainage issues, 
  • increase parking capacity,
  • upgrade the sports lighting,
  • upgrade one natural turf diamond field,
  • convert the upper natural turf diamond field to synthetic turf,  
  • convert the rectangular field to synthetic turf,
  • improve site circulation and ADA access,
  • replace the current restrooms,
  • add a play space,
  • add a second park shelter, and
  • add a multi-use court/performance space.

Due to the total project costs, completing city initiatives and significant supply chain issues resulting from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the City has elected to deliver the Joseph Hensley Park Renovation in two separate construction phases. The value of the construction is estimated to be $6 Million and $5 Million, respectively for a total investment exceeding $11 Million. Phase 1 of Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer/Fall of 2023 and conclude in Spring of 2025. The park will remain closed through the construction period.

Hensley Park Renovations
Click here to download and view the Site Concept Plan.

 

Status

Construction:

  • Construction Meetings

  • Construction Timeline

    Construction Preparations: Complete

    Construction Mobilization & Construction Activities: Ongoing

    • April 2025: Additional concrete work was completed in March, and the lower parking lot paving and striping were completed. Utility coordination progressed with significant milestones achieved with Dominion Energy. The park is anticipated to receive power in mid-April, and the various park systems, including irrigation and field lighting, will be energized and tested.
    • March 2025: Work on the upper diamond field continued with the installation of the organic infill and final turf markings. Concrete walkways, stairs, and ADA access ramps were installed between the two diamond fields, and the park pavilion was installed. Work continued on the railing and fencing systems.
    • February 2025: Installation of site dugouts and batting cages continued in January. Additional segments of walkway handrails and guardrails were completed, and the lower parking lot curbs were installed. The lower field netting and batting cage netting systems were installed.
    • December 2024: Last month, the City continued to install the lower diamond sports field's dugouts, batting cages, and concrete walk. The City also continued work on the synthetic turf upper diamond sports field. The City has installed the upper field's shock pad and turf carpet. The organic infill will be installed in early December, which will complete the ball field play area. The bath house, pavilion, ADA ramp to the upper field, concrete plaza, and parking lot remain outstanding. Utility coordination for the re-electrification of the site is in progress to support the programming of the ball fields for Spring 2025.
    • November 2024: Installation of the modular block walls around the site continued, as well as earthwork for the parking lot improvements. Installation of the synthetic turf field continued with additional work on the field's drainage system and grading. The lower field backstop and netting work continued through the past month.
    • October 2024: Last month, work continued on the lower diamond sports field, including installation of the sports lighting, fencing, utility work, and stormwater management systems installation. The park maintenance building was also installed.
    • September 2024: Installation of the natural grass "lower" diamond sports field's retaining wall, outfield fencing, warning track, irrigation system, topsoil, and sod is complete. The lower field dugouts, batting cages, concrete walk, and sports light system are expected to be installed before the end of the year, which will complete the lower field. Work on the synthetic turf "upper" diamond sports field is in progress, with several components complete. The maintenance building is anticipated to be completed next month.
    • June 2024: Installation of the modular block wall at the natural grass "lower" diamond sports field and outfield wall at the synthetic turf "upper" diamond sports field was completed this month. In tandem, the installation of the ball field fence and backstop posts at both diamond sports fields continued.
    • May 2024: Last month, the contractor began installation of the ball field fence, and materials were delivered for the modular wall at the lower field. In May, the City plans to begin installation of the modular wall at the lower field and the irrigation system at the lower field.
    • April 2024: Last month, the contractor completed the excavation of the upper and lower field areas and the installation of two of the bioretention basins. In April, the City plans to complete excavation operations at the upper and lower sports fields and begin installation of the site fence and irrigation system.
    • March 2024: Last month, the contractor completed the removal of topsoil from the upper and lower field areas, the installation of portions of the site storm sewer systems, and the installation of nine of the two proposed sports lights. In March, the City plans to begin excavation operations at the upper and lower sports fields and complete the installation of two of the four onsite bioretention basins. Materials for the construction of the modular block walls will be ordered and delivered.
    • January 2024: This month, the City completed the installation of perimeter sediment controls and continued site clearing and demolition operations. The City plans to complete site demolition and begin construction of the lower diamond sports field early in 2024.
    • December 2023: This month, the City completed the installation of perimeter sediment controls and continued site clearing and demolition operations. The City plans to complete site demolition and begin construction of the lower diamond sports field early in 2024.
    • November 2023: Start of Construction activities began.
       

  • Construction Close Out & Substantial Completion

    • Substantial completion is anticipated in Spring 2025. Phased re-opening will begin in May 2025.

Schedule

  • Winter 2022/2023: Completed Design
  • Spring 2023: Construction Procurement
  • Fall 2023: Begin Construction
  • Spring 2025: Park Reopened for Community Use

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Project Construction be completed?

Project Construction is anticipated to be substantially complete in May 2025. The restrooms will be complete in Summer 2025.

Who is the Contractor responsible for construction of the Project?

The Contractor is Avon Corporation, headquartered in Springfield, Virginia

Will the Project Site be accessible during construction?

No. Due to safety and security measures, the project site will remain closed to the public until construction is complete.

Who do I contact regarding construction activities or construction traffic?

Mitch Dillion, City Project Manager at 703.403.5542 or mitch.dillon@alexandriava.gov

Who is responsible for Construction Traffic?

  • The Contractor is responsible for construction traffic management.
  • The Contractor will access the project site from Eisenhower Avenue

If streets or roadways are damaged by Construction Traffic, will they be repaired?

If the Contractor is found to have damaged streets or public property, the Contractor will make the repair.

Who is responsible for Park security and/or who do I call to report suspicious activity?

  • City of Alexandria Police Department
    • Phone: 703.838.4444
    • Emergency Call: 911
  • Please help keep the Park secure during construction.
  • Please report unauthorized access, vandalism or other suspicious activity to the Police immediately. Such activities delay construction and increase public safety risks

Who owns the land?

The land is owned by the City of Alexandria and is administered by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.

Who schedules facilities in the Park, including athletic fields?

  • Upon completion of construction, all facilities will be managed by the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities.
  • All athletic fields in the Park will be scheduled by the City of Alexandria’s Recreation Division.

Planning Phase

In the summer of 2012, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) began a multi-year process with the public to develop a Citywide Parks Improvement Plan. The goal of this initiative was to study and understand the existing conditions and future needs for Alexandria's parks that are over 10-acres, municipally owned, and have multiple uses, including: Ben Brenman and Armistead L. Boothe Parks, Chinquapin Park, Four Mile Run Park, Joseph Hensley Park, the Holmes Run Park System, and Simpson Stadium Park. These parks serve as vital open spaces for our community, providing recreational opportunities, areas for picnic and relaxation, and ecological benefits to the City. 

The Park and Recreation Commission formally endorsed the Citywide Parks Improvement Plan on April 10, 2014. Final Hensley Park Improvement Plan (2014). 

Design Phase

The goal of the current project phase is to develop and permit a fully constructible design, which satisfies the objectives listed and does not exceed the project budget. As part of this phase, community outreach was performed to build consensus around the proposed design. Impacts to existing facilities and user groups will be highlighted for review in tandem with the proposed improvements to ensure that the community has a complete understand of the project. A rendering of the proposed improvements is provided below: 

Click here to download and view the Site Concept Plan.

Design Update

  • April 8, 2019: Update to Youth Sports Advisory
  • November 19, 2020: RPCA introduced the plan amendment to the Park and Recreation Commission
  • December 17, 2020: RPCA presented the a park design and amendments to the 2014 Citywide Parks Improvements Plan for the renovation of Joseph Hensley Park to the Park and Recreation Commission
  • January 21, 2021: The Park & Recreation Commission endorsed the 60% design and park improvement plan amendments.
  • March 2, 2021: Planning Commission approved the Development Special Use Permit for the renovations.
  • June 14, 2021: The Youth Sports Advisory Board recommended that the upper diamond field be converted to synthetic turf.
  • June 17, 2021: Park & Recreation Commission approved an amendment to convert the upper diamond field to synthetic turf.
  • September 17, 2022: City Council approved a Special Use Permit to raise the protective netting from 20 feet in height to 30 feet.