Mount Jefferson Park Planning and Implementation

The City, in conjunction with the Oakville Triangle/Route 1 Corridor planning process, developed a plan in 2015 for the Mount Jefferson Park & Greenway between East Raymond Ave. and Route 1. The approved plan draws inspiration from the site’s former use as a railroad, and seeks to balance the natural characteristics of the park through enhanced landscape plantings and the preservation of the nature trails south of Fannon Street.
Page updated on October 10, 2025 at 1:54 PM
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Project Description

The City, in conjunction with the Oakville Triangle/Route 1 Corridor planning process, developed a plan in 2015 for the Mount Jefferson Park & Greenway between East Raymond Ave. and Route 1.  The approved plan draws inspiration from the site’s former use as a railroad, and seeks to balance the natural characteristics of the park through enhanced landscape plantings and the preservation of the nature trails south of Fannon Street. Improvements to the 4.6-acre park area include site drainage and stormwater infrastructure, an ADA multi-use permeable trail and trail connectors, an expanded off-leash dog exercise area, native plantings, invasive species removal, a new speed table at Raymond Avenue to slow vehicular traffic, a new water meter, new park wayfinding signage, and new historical interpretative features. 

Mount Jefferson Park Site Plan

Park Construction Updates

For additional information on the status of on-going construction activities, contact Judy Lo, Principal Planner, at Judy.Lo@alexandriava.gov. 

Mount Jefferson Park Improvements Closeout Schedule

Note: Completion of construction and closeout activities is subject to change and is weather permitting. Sections of the park may open earlier depending on completion of the punch list, permits and other approvals.

  • Fall 2025:

    • The double entry dog park gates at Raymond Ave. were installed in September and punchlist work is ongoing. 

      Invasive species removal will begin this fall. This treatment is part of a multi-phase plan. Tree of heaven, mulberry, and English ivy will be addressed first, with restoration to follow. Because Tree of Heaven can resprout quickly if cut, multiple treatments may be needed, with reassessment 30 to 60 days after chemical application. As several large tree of heaven and mulberry will be removed, all tree work will follow best practices in coordination with the City Urban Forestry team.

  • June/July 2025
    • The dog park is open for community use. Weather permitting, the dog park turf restoration and resurfacing will be scheduled this fall. Double entry gates for the Raymond Ave. dog park entrance have also shipped out and will be installed this summer. The community should expect intermittent dog park closures while these activities occur. Plant replacements will be scheduled this spring. 

      Staff continues to coordinate work for the treatment and removal of invasive plants such as tree of heaven and mulberry.
  • April 2025
    • Staff provided an update to the Del Ray Citizens Association on upcoming work in the park. The dog park continues to be open for community use. Weather permitting, dog park turf restoration and resurfacing will be scheduled. Double entry gates for the Raymond Ave. dog park entrance are also on order. The community should expect intermittent dog park closures while these activities occur. Replacement of landscape plantings, invasive plant control, and trail repairs will also resume this spring.
  • March 2025
    • The dog park remains open for community use. Due to use in wet conditions, the turf may sustain damage. Additional turf restoration and dog park surfacing are planned this spring, weather permitting. Double entry gates will be installed in the coming weeks. Replacement of landscape vegetation will also occur this spring. Invasive plant control activity will also resume in the spring.
  • December 2024
    • Dog park opened for community use. There will be continued work on the fence and gates over the next few weeks. Due to use in wet conditions, the turf may sustain damage. Replacement of landscape vegetation will occur in spring 2025.
    • The City resurfaced the nature trail from Fannon St.to Route 1. Contractors addressed the clean up of brush along the west sides of the dog run, including removal of a tree that sustained storm damage. Additional fence materials are on order to eliminate the large openings in the fence, and will be installed once materials are received.
  • November 2024
    • The developer continues to work on addressing outstanding punchlist items. The drought conditions earlier this summer have impacted some of the park plantings including the establishment of turf in the dog park. Replacement plantings will be scheduled during the fall planting season. It's anticipated the dog park will reopen in the fall after the turf is renewed and all punchlist items for the dog park have been satisfactorily addressed. The City is also scheduling trail maintenance work this fall along the nature trail located south of Fannon St. Trail surfacing materials will be replenished to address eroded areas and exposed tree roots.
  • October 2024
    • The developer reviewed all outstanding punchlist items with the City and are working to address all items. The drought conditions earlier this summer have impacted some of the park plantings including the establishment of turf in the dog park. Replacement plantings will be scheduled during the fall planting season. It's anticipated the dog park will reopen in the fall after the turf is renewed and all punchlist items for the dog park have been satisfactorily addressed. The City is also scheduling trail maintenance work this fall along the nature trail located south of Fannon St. Trail surfacing materials will be replenished to address eroded areas and exposed tree roots.
  • August 2024
    • The developer resubmitted the as-built plans to the City and the plans are currently in review. The drought conditions earlier this summer has impacted some of the park plantings including the establishment of turf in the dog park. Replacement plantings will be scheduled during the fall planting season. It's anticipated the dog park will reopen early fall after the turf is renewed and all punchlist items for the dog park have been satisfactorily addressed.
  • July 2024
    • Drainage improvements within the dog park were installed in June and are in the process of being as-builted and inspected. Tree trimming and treatment of poison ivy within the dog park are scheduled for July. Other outstanding punchlist items for the park are in progress, with significant progress made on planting replacements this past June.​​
  • April 2024
    • The commencement of site work continues to be the third week of April, weather permitting. The duration work is approximately two weeks for its completion, followed by an additional 2-3 weeks for the establishment of the turf. The projected completion and opening date of the dog park is the end of May or early June.
  • March 2024:
    • The procurement process for the dog park drainage materials is underway, with the longest lead items expected to be delivered within the next 3-4 weeks. The commencement of site work is anticipated by the third week of April with a duration of approximately two weeks for its completion. Following this, an additional 2-3 weeks are estimated for the establishment of the turf. The projected completion and opening date of the dog park is the end of May. Any outstanding punch list items for the park are scheduled to be addressed by this time as well.
  • February 2024:
    • Final grading and landscape activities were delayed due to inclement weather from mid-January through mid-February.  Required grading will commence in early spring followed by turf seeding and other landscape plantings. The park is anticipated to open four to six weeks following final approval and seeding. Turf establishment timing is dependent on favorable growing conditions.
  • December 2023:
    • City and Stonebridge (developer) completed design and permitting activities for regrading and landscape improvements for portions of the park, including the dog park, with poor drainage. Implementation of the approved landscape and drainage plan will occur through winter 2024 and into spring 2024 as weather conditions allow. The opening of the dog park and completion of remaining landscape improvements will be announced as a completion schedule is refined. Residents may find additional information on available dog exercise and parks by visiting Dog Parks in Alexandria.
  • September 13, 2023:
    • The park and trails opened April 6. The dog exercise area is temporarily closed to address drainage, grading, and fencing.  

    • Completion of punchlist items, including landscape plantings, turf, and the dog exercise area are on-going with expected completion this fall. 

    • The developer has been working with City staff on options to address the drainage within the dog exercise area and will be submitting a revised site plan. The northern section of the dog exercise area will be re-graded with additional inlets and plantings. 

  • Winter 2023

    • February-March, 2023: As-Built Submission to the City
      • City Inspections (Performance Bond release): 
        -Stormwater infrastructure, Utilities, Structures, Grading, Hardscape/Trails: March-May, 2023
        -Landscape and Tree Inspections:  March-May, 2023 (inspections are contingent on growing season beginning March 1)
      • City Right of Way inspections:  March-May, 2023
  • February 24, 2023:
    • Raymond Avenue Improvements:   To avoid relocation of the gas line, a modification to the storm structure has been approved by the City. The modified storm structure will take approximately 3-4 weeks to fabricate.  The Raymond Avenue improvements, which include the new storm water connections and raised crosswalk, are anticipated to be complete by mid-April.
    • Partial as-builts of improvements completed to date, were submitted to the City on February 24. City reviews and inspections typically take 2-4 weeks, and may be require re-submission.
  • February 17, 2023:
    • Raymond Avenue Improvements: A design revision to address the gas line conflicts has been submitted to the City and is in review by City agencies and the gas company.
  • January 27, 2023:
    • Raymond Avenue Improvements:
      • There are on-going road closures during the day to install the stormwater connections on Raymond Avenue.  There may be a potential conflict with a gas line in the street.  Stonebridge is investigating with the gas company, and digging test pits.
      • Installation of the speed table is weather dependent (must be 50 degrees and rising for asphalt)
      • The construction fencing must stay in place because of the road work.   For residents within the road closure, the workers will provide them access to get out
    • Park Improvements
      • Outstanding items include the wayfinding and park regulation signage, widening of the dog park walkway, and dog park gate.
    • Closeout Process:
      • Stonebridge will submit the as-built drawings through the Apex system, which will initiate the City's inspection process for the trail, landscaping, BMP's and other infrastructure/improvements
    • Next Update: Stonebridge/City are meeting approximately every 10-days to coordinate the closeout process, and to determine when the park can re-open in the coming weeks.
  • January 20, 2023:  Construction of improvements to East Raymond Avenue and other outstanding items will continue into the winter.
  • Stonebridge, the developers of the adjacent Oakville Triangle development, will construct the Mount Jefferson park improvements. Construction will take place between the 300 Block of East Raymond Ave. and Route 1 (Richmond Hwy) and is anticipated to begin January 2022. This section of the linear park will be closed during construction.
    For additional information, contact Stonebridge, at oakvilletriangle@stonebridge.us.com or visit the Stonebridge project website at https://oakville.stonebridge.us.com/
    • Mount Jefferson Park Improvements Online Community Pre-Construction Meeting 
      Stonebridge will host a virtual community meeting about construction of improvements to Mount Jefferson Park (2300 Richmond Hwy.)  Stonebridge will provide information about construction of the project anticipated to begin January 10th.   
      The online meeting will take place Tuesday, January 4 starting at 6:30 p.m

 

Park Planning Community Engagement

November 18, 2014

March 12, 2015

May 21, 2015 - Park & Recreation Commission Public Hearing

October 15, 2015 - Project Update

  • Park & Recreation Commission, Charles Houston Recreation Center, 901 Wythe St. at 7 pm