Alexandria PARKnerships
About Us
Alexandrians have a strong sense of civic pride and desire to connect with their neighbors. This is most evident when individuals and groups work together to enhance the facilities and programs they enjoy. Whether it's through the dedication of time or monetary resources, when residents collaborate with the City they ultimately create a higher level of service and strengthen their connection to the community as a whole.
PARKnerships coordinates these efforts under a single umbrella aiming to cultivate sustainable support, volunteers, and partnerships in alignment of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities' (RPCA) goal for a healthy and thriving City of Alexandria.
PARKnerships Programs
Adopt-a-Bench
Alexandria's Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities offers the community a personal opportunity to honor a friend or loved one by adopting a bench at one of our parks. When you adopt, City Staff will install a personalized plaque on either an existing or a new park bench.
- The plaques take approximately 8 weeks to produce and install. You can write the plaque inscription yourself or let the recipient write their own.
- Full payment must be received before you can reserve a bench.
- Multiple donors may contribute through honorary or memorial funds.
- Bench adoptions are fully tax-deductible. Payment can be made by check or credit card.
COSTS:
- Add plaque to existing bench: $800
- Install a new black steel bench without a plaque: $1,400*
- Install a new black steel bench with a plaque: $1,600*
- Install new wood bench without a plaque: $1,875*
- Install new wood bench with a plaque: $2,175*
All new benches require on-site placement consultation with park staff.
*Price for a new bench may vary based on site conditions.
To adopt a bench, please first complete the Adopt-a-Bench form. The PARKnership manager will consult with you to identify a location. We are happy to provide maps of any of your preferred locations and/or meet with you on-site.
Adopt-a-Garden
The Adopt-a-Garden initiative is a collaborative effort between the City of Alexandria and community organizations. Under this program, an individual or a group can commit to taking care of an existing garden located on public property for a minimum of two years through an agreement with the City. A sign displaying the name of the adopting group or individual will be placed in the garden. Please note that this does not apply to the community garden plot program.
The organization will be responsible for:
- Designing a maintenance plan for a garden to be approved by the City Horticulturist
- Installing plantings according to the approved design
- Keeping the garden weed-free
- Cutting back & mulching the garden in appropriate seasons
- Removing litter and debris
- Watering the garden as needed
- Reporting dead, damaged, and diseased plants to the City Horticulturist
- Providing a monthly progress form to the City Horticulturist
Adopt-a-Park
The Adopt-a-Park program is a collaboration between the State of Virginia, the City of Alexandria, and community groups to enhance the appearance and condition of small urban parks and open spaces in Alexandria.
- The community groups are responsible for monitoring and cleaning up their park at least once a week from April to November.
- City officials visit the parks once a month and award points based on their condition.
- At the end of the season, participating groups receive cash awards based on the points earned. These organizations often use the award funds to improve the park by adding benches, play equipment, drinking fountains, and landscaping. The project is funded annually by the State of Virginia Litter Prevention and Recycling Grant and the City of Alexandria.
How do I get my group involved?
Submit an Adopt-a-Park Volunteer Application to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities for review. A department representative will contact you.
Living Landscape Fund
The Living Landscape Fund offers an opportunity to beautify Alexandria while commemorating a special occasion or a loved one. The donations help improve the landscape or park facilities throughout the city. The fund contributes to the city's goal of beautification and optimization of open spaces.
Your tax-deductible contribution can apply to the following categories:
- General Donation
Support your city by making a monetary donation for park amenities and landscape improvements. Donate a gift as an individual or organization.
- Tree Canopy Donation
You can financially support tree planting in our parks and neighborhoods. Your donation will expand and support a healthy urban tree canopy and help Alexandria reach a target goal of 40% tree canopy by 2035.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I plant a tree in memory of someone?
You can donate on someone’s behalf to support tree planting on public land throughout Alexandria. If requested, we can send donation acknowledgments to the honoree or their family.
- Can I specify where a tree can be planted?
Your donation supports general tree planting throughout the City and is not for a specific site.
Click here to make your tax-deductible donation to Alexandria's Living Landscape Fund!
Volunteers & Sponsorships
Volunteers
Many city programs and events need volunteer support to provide services to residents. Volunteers are valued members of the community who provide and produce tremendous value to the City. Some of the many opportunities include sports program coaches, event set-up, naturalists, park clean ups, and invasive species removal.
Visit alexandriava.gov/Volunteer to sign up or seek opportunities.
Sponsorships
As an individual, group, or business, you can provide a one-time or ongoing donation of money or labor and other applicable resources to the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities. Sponsorship may include a quid pro quo agreement, such as a logo on a park sign or recreation program materials.
Partnerships
A partnership is a cooperative venture between two or more parties with a common goal such as partners for park and recreation facilities or program improvement. The partnership organization should be well representative of the surrounding communities who use the park or program. While developing a partnership, the organization should work closely with park management to understand the specific needs of the park or program and how they can best assist in meeting those needs. Once a groups submits a proposal, staff will work with them to draft a Community Group Agreement. The agreement will stipulate the administrative framework including both the group and city responsibilities, expectations, project costs, and site boundaries. For additional information, contact Lucresha Murphy, PARKnership Manager, at Lucresha.Murphy@alexandriava.gov or 703.746-5489.
RPCA thanks the following partners who make a big difference in our park and recreation facilities and programs:
Alexandria Fatherless Coalition
Light it Up!
Ronald Cooper
Taylor Run Parkway Association
Young and Mannered (Y.A.M.)
Community Matching Fund
The Community Matching Fund leverages collaborative community partnership opportunities with the City that expand and improve the quality of recreation, park, and cultural experiences. The Fund provides matching 1:1 dollars (up to $50,000 of City funds) for groups that propose fundraising for park and recreation facility improvement projects. The Fund fosters public/private partnerships and cultivates innovative ways for residents to have a greater stake in improving the park and recreation facilities that they use.
Fiscal Year 2023 Awardees:
Lake Cook Pocket Park
Applicant: Townes at Cameron Parke Resident Group
Project Description: This project includes planting native trees, managing invasive species, and installing signage to help identify the park and create a sense of place for future improvements.
Total Project Cost: $25,000
Proposed City Contribution: $12,500
Paddling Access at Four Mile Run
Applicant: Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation
Project Description: The project is a public water access point, including a raised boardwalk from the Four Mile Run Trail to a gangway extending to a floating dock, maintaining ADA-compliant slopes and level landings.
Total Project Cost: $436,885
Proposed City Contribution: $50,000
Tucker Community Garden
Applicant: Samuel Tucker Elementary School PTA
Project Description: The Tucker Community Garden Project will develop and ‘green’ a natural space adjacent to the Samuel Tucker Elementary School and provide an outdoor learning classroom for students.
Total Project Cost: $21,238.38
Proposed City Contribution: $10,619.19
Other Ways to Get Involved
Open Space Fund
Make a donation to our open space fund to help acquire and sustain open space.
More information coming soon...
Recreation Center Advisory Councils
- Charles Barrett Recreation Center
3rd Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Call 703.746.5551 for information. - Charles Houston Recreation Center
3rd Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Call 703.746.5552 for information. - Leonard "Chick" Armstrong Recreation Center
3rd Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Call 703.746.5554 for information. - Mount Vernon Recreation Center
3rd Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Call 703.746.5556 for information. - Nannie J. Lee Memorial Center
2nd Monday at 7 p.m.
Call 703.746.5550 for information. - Patrick Henry Recreation Center
2nd Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Call 703.746.5557 for information. - William Ramsay Recreation Center
3rd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
Call 703.746.5558 for information.
Meeting dates and times are subject to change. Please call the recreation center in your neighborhood or visit alexandriava.gov/RecreationCenters for additional information.
RPCA Commissions
The Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities commissions and committees compose a formal system through which citizens can advise the City Council on issues affecting the City. All meetings are open to the public. Position vacancies are advertised in the local newspapers and through civic associations. Applicants for commission and committee vacancies may obtain application forms and additional information by calling 703.746.4800 or visiting the Office of Communications & Community Engagement.