The National Park Service managed and implemented the park design process for Jones Point Park.  The process integrated significant public input and included an Environmental Assessment/National Environmental Protection Act process.  In June, 2005, Alexandria City Council voted to support National Park Service proposed action Alternative 4A and the National Park Service subsequently accepted that plan-which is now being implemented and will be constructed. 

Alternative 4A includes significant constructed features including: historic interpretation of the finishing pier/craneway and shipway, renovation of the Jones Point lighthouse, preservation and historic interpretation of the DC cornerstone, an historic site interpretive pedestrian/bike trails, multi-use fields, event lawn, playground and tot-lot, play courts, comfort station, 110 parking spaces, preservation of existing native species and wetlands and natural areas, removal of invasive plant species and replacement with native plant species.

• Community Gardens presently in the Park are on Federal land and will remain under jurisdiction of NPS. 
• The City will not schedule or maintain athletic fields or other facilities such as the playground.  These facilities will be used on a first-come/first-serve basis, similar to Daingerfield Island and Gravelly Point and maintained and operated by NPS.
• The Jones Point Lighthouse will receive renovation work coincident with construction associated with Jones Point Park.  The work will be dedicated to interior and exterior improvements. 

Construction at Jones Point Park will be undertaken consistent with the Federal Highway Administration Record of Decision of June, 2000.  The entire Jones Point Park will not be closed to public access during construction.  The Royal Street Community Gardens, the Lee Street Community Gardens, the Mount Vernon Trail and the Community Recycling Center will have continuous public access.

Construction of the desired improvements will be undertaken expeditiously while maintaining public safety. Public access to some portions of the park will be temporarily/intermittently closed while improvements are being made.  Elements included as a part of the park work encompass an extensive area and while under construction, cannot be used for their intended purpose.  For example, heavy construction activities will include pile driving, earth moving, trenching for pipes and utilities.  These actions require the use of large construction equipment such as heavy lift cranes, loaders, dump trucks, earth moving equipment, etc.  Some of the work also has time-of-year restrictions.  In order to provide an efficient construction process, much of the work is heavily dependent upon linear and potentially concurrent construction sequencing.

What's New?

• Current and upcoming construction 

  1. The contractor has finished the shoreline stabilization of the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River south of Ford's Landing. This work stabilized the shoreline to prevent any future erosion from the Potomac River.  The stabilization work consisted of removing river debris and topsoil, then placing rip-rap (large stones on geotextile fabric) on the shoreline. 

  2. A work zone has been set up at the end of S. Royal Street near the former recycling center. This area has been reclaimed for the planting of trees and shrubs.  The work zone also includes the southbound shoulder of Royal Street to complete the sidewalk work in front of St. Mary’s Cemetery.

  3. The contractor is planning on closing the current park access trail and opening a portion of the new Mount Vernon Trail, from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge abutment to (approximately) the Judy Crenshaw Silver Maple tree.  The current park access trail will then be removed and the area will be prepped for planting.  This work is tentatively scheduled for the week of March 5.

2012

• February 27, 2012 - Current and upcoming construction

• The contractor has finished the shoreline stabilization of the Mount Vernon Trail along the Potomac River south of Ford's Landing. This work stabilized the shoreline to prevent any future erosion from the Potomac River.  The stabilization work consisted of removing river debris and topsoil, then placing rip-rap (large stones on geotextile fabric) on the shoreline. 

• A work zone has been set up at the end of S. Royal Street near the former recycling center. This area has been reclaimed for the planting of trees and shrubs.  The work zone also includes the southbound shoulder of Royal Street to complete the sidewalk work in front of St. Mary’s Cemetery.

• The contractor is planning on closing the current park access trail and opening a portion of the new Mount Vernon Trail, from the Woodrow Wilson Bridge abutment to (approximately) the Judy Crenshaw Silver Maple tree.  The current park access trail will then be removed and the area will be prepped for planting.  This work is tentatively scheduled for the week of March 5.

• Jones Point Park Construction Community Liaison Group Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, Tuesday, January 17, 2012 
  To ensure that construction activities continue with little disruption, and to provide a forum for open dialogue with the surrounding community, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with participation of the National Park Service and City of Alexandria, has created a Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park Construction. The first meeting of the liaison group is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The purpose of the meeting is to allow for liaison members and the general public to ask questions and to be briefed on ongoing Jones Point Park construction activities. The meeting is open to the public and will include representatives from the project’s managing parties -VDOT and the National Park Service - as well as staff from the City of Alexandria.

  2011

  The following is an update on the status of the Jones Point Park Project as of October 28, 2011

  We continue to request that the public does not disturb the areas recently planted along the shore path. The contractor has placed orange construction fence around these areas.

  Hauling times are restricted based on school hours. Normal hauling restrictions will be in place now that school is back in session.

  Most activity that generated dust is complete.  Cooler and wetter weather also helps keep the dust down. If there are dry days, the contractor will use his water truck to alleviate dust.

  A work zone has been set up in the northbound lane of S. Royal Street near the former recycling center. This area is being reclaimed for planting of trees and shrubs this fall. Construction vehicles will be entering and exiting through the newly constructed park entry road during daytime hours. We request that the public does not block this entrance.

  The contractor continues to mow the portion of the South Field that is open to the public.

  The Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project has temporarily detoured a small portion of the Mount Vernon Trail in Old Town Alexandria for park construction and the placement of asphalt.  The trail section that runs under the Woodrow Wilson Bridge at Royal Street will now be closed until about December 1 as a result of recent wet weather.  Trail users are detoured east to cross below the bridge, then west to rejoin the trail.  Detour signs have been posted in the area.

  The following is an update on the status of the Jones Point Park Project as of August 19, 2011

  On Thursday, August 18, the project hosted an informal field meeting for members of the community liaison group. The meeting was attended by Barbara Lynch, Teresa Miller, Yvonne Callahan, John Wilson, and Tim Elliott from the community group, and Brad Pittsnogle, Project Engineer, and Chip Fiore, Project Controls Manager, from PCC. During the meeting, Brad briefed the group on the current trail work near and the upcoming construction of the South Athletic Field. As stated last week, the contractor is building the shoreline trail that runs along the west side of the South Field. This work is being performed behind orange construction fence for the safety of park visitors. Upon completion of this trail, it will become the path for public access. A chain link fence will be erected to begin construction for the South Athletic Field. This work will require excavation of the top soil and root mat, importation of new soil, stone and top soil to raise the surface elevation of portions of the field, installation of irrigation systems, and seeding. In order to ensure well-established turf grass at the completion of the project next June, the newly seeded areas must be protected this fall and winter.

  The public will have access to the river along the west side of the newly constructed trail and to the southern third of the athletic field near the lighthouse, as there is no construction slated for this area. The contractor will also be constructing a fenced trail near the lighthouse to allow public access to the wooded area east of the South Field. The public will be able to access the newly constructed trail that runs along the shore east of the lighthouse to the fishing pier. After the construction of the South Field is complete, the contractor will install a fenced access trail across the north side of the field area.
  Day closures of the access trail east of the lighthouse will occur in the coming months to allow for planting of trees and shrubs. Advanced notice will be given to the public for planned work in this area. There will be no access to the river west of the lighthouse along the southern edge in order to permit establishment of the recently planted shoreline stabilization materials. Ongoing construction activities in and around the lighthouse, continue to preclude public access to those areas.

  The contractor continues to haul fill material and stone, therefore truck traffic continues. Hauling times are restricted based upon school hours. For the remainder of summer break (August 15 - September 5) the haul hours are 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Water trucks continue to operate continuously to control windborne dust. Much of the exposed area has been, and will continue to be, paved over or seeded and stabilized.

  Access to the Lee Street Gardens continues. The new pavement south of Lee Street is complete. The contractor has placed topsoil on the shoulders of the trail and seeding of the area is scheduled in the upcoming weeks. Additional short-term daytime closures will be required to accommodate this work.

  The contractor has relocated the recycling dumpsters and Royal Street turnaround to the newly constructed location.

  The following is an update on the status of the Jones Point Park Project as of June 3, 2011:

• As we mentioned in previous weeks, the contractor continues to haul fill material for the under-bridge area and the park entry road. Due to this effort, truck traffic will continue.
• The contractor is continuing to water the fill material that has been placed under the bridge to control dust. A large portion of the fill material causing the dust is currently being covered with stone and asphalt.
• Pile driving along the shoreline just north of the bridge has been completed. Later in the project, additional timber piles will be driven in the river for the new fishing pier and floating dock. We will alert you when this is scheduled to occur. As always, this work will take place during the City of Alexandria permitted hours.
• Access to the Lee Street Gardens has been temporarily restored. The new water line has been tied to the main line and electrical and communications ducts are being installed.
• The Lee Street Access Trail will be graded and paved over the next few weeks. Additional daytime closures will be required to accommodate this work. Thank you in advance for your cooperation during this time.
• As a reminder, periodically, a work zone may be set up in the North-bound lane of S. Royal Street (near the recycling center) for work along the new park entry road. It will be set up to not interfere with St. Mary's School drop-off or pick up.
• The contractor will continue to mow the South Field weekly.
• Picnic tables have been placed in shaded areas of the South Field.
• The contractor is procuring new haul route signs, which will be placed as soon as possible.

• Jones Point Park Construction Community Liaison Group Meeting Scheduled for Tuesday, May 17
  To ensure construction activities continue with little disruption, and to continue to provide a forum for open dialogue with the surrounding community, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with participation of the National Park Service and City of Alexandria, created a Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park Construction. The second quarterly meeting of the liaison group is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson Street.

  Jones Point Park Community Liaison Group Held First Meeting on Thursday, February 3
  The Community Liaison Information Group is comprised of representatives from resident groups that may be most impacted by ongoing work at Jones Point Park. In addition, group members are identified as direct points of contact for gathering information on neighborhood concerns or questions, and will have direct contact to VDOT to address such items as they arise. The group is scheduled to meet next on Tuesday, May 17.
  
  Jones Point Park Construction Community Liaison Group Meeting Scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 2011 - January 18, 2011
  To ensure that construction activities continue with little disruption, and to provide a forum for open dialogue with the surrounding community, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with participation of the National Park Service and City of Alexandria, has created a Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park Construction. The first meeting of the liaison group is scheduled for Thursday, January 27, 7 p.m. at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St. The purpose of the meeting is to allow for liaison members and the general public to ask questions and to be briefed on ongoing Jones Point Park construction activities. The meeting is open to the public and will include representatives from the project’s managing parties -VDOT and the National Park Service - as well as staff from the City of Alexandria.

  Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park - January 3, 2011
  To ensure that construction activities continue with little disruption, and to provide a forum for open dialogue with the surrounding community, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), with participation of the National Park Service and City of Alexandria, is creating a Community Liaison Information Group on Jones Point Park Construction. The group will be comprised of a representative from resident groups that may be most impacted by ongoing work at Jones Point Park.  The Community Liaison Information Group will meet quarterly to discuss the project and to allow for members to ask questions and to be briefed on ongoing work.  The meetings will be open to the public and will include representatives from the project’s managing parties-VDOT and the National Park Service, as well as staff from City of Alexandria.  Members of the Liaison Group will be identified as direct points of contact for gathering information on neighborhood concerns or questions, and will have direct contact to VDOT to address such items as they arise. The first meeting of the Liaison Group is proposed for the week of January 24, 2011.

  2010

  Jones Point Park Project Update - December 6, 2010
  In preparation for re-routing of the Mt. Vernon Trail around Jones Point Park, VDOT will place Variable Message Boards at the northern and southern entrances of the park trail on Monday, December 6. currently, the Mount Vernon Trail runs through Jones Point Park. In order to accommodate restoration activities within Jones Point Park, the Mount Vernon Trail will be re-routed via Franklin and South Royal Streets. The Mount Vernon Trail will remain open throughout the restoration project expected to be completed in June 2012.

• eNews Announcement 

• Jones Point Park Project Update - November 23, 2010
  The Wilson Bridge Woodrow Project (WWB) is hosting a Pardon Our Dust meeting to inform the public about the Jones Point Park Project.  In close collaboration with the City of Alexandria and the National Park Service, WWB is about to embark on a major restoration effort at the park.  Construction efforts will begin in December 2010 with completion anticipated in June 2012.  Equipment staging will begin the week of November 22 and the Mount Vernon Trail will be re-routed via Franklin and South Royal Streets beginning the week of December 6.  The project phases and timeline will be presented, along with renderings of the completed park.The Wilson Bridge Woodrow Project (WWB) is hosting a Pardon Our Dust meeting to inform the public about the Jones Point Park Project.  In close collaboration with the City of Alexandria and the National Park Service, WWB is about to embark on a major restoration effort at the park.  Construction efforts will begin in December 2010 with completion anticipated in June 2012.  Equipment staging will begin the week of November 22 and the Mount Vernon Trail will be re-routed via Franklin and South Royal Streets beginning the week of December 6. 

• Media Advisary
• Mt. Vernon Trail Re-Routing Map

• Jones Point Park Project Update - November 22, 2010
  The construction contract was executed with the low bidder (Lane Construction Corporation) on November 3, 2010, and a pre-construction meeting was convened on November 4, 2010. The Notice to Proceed (NTP), chosen per terms of the contract by the contractor, was issued effective November 18, 2010. A “Pardon Our Dust Meeting,” an opportunity for the public to learn how the contractor views and plans the construction, is scheduled for December 8, 2010, 7 p.m., at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.
  
  The Contractor advised VDOT and Potomac Crossing Consultants on November 19, 2010 that they planned to begin equipment staging starting November 22, 2010. In addition, the Mt. Vernon Trail will be re-routed via Franklin and South Royal Streets for continued access during park construction activities beginning the week of December 6, 2010.

  Jones Point Park Project Update - November 19, 2010
  Jones Point Park Construction “Pardon Our Dust Meeting” Scheduled for Wednesday, December 8, 2010 The Virginia Department of Transportation and Potomac Crossing Consultants, with participation by the Contractor, Lane Construction, and the National Park Service, will host a Jones Point Park Construction “Pardon Our Dust Meeting” on Wednesday, December 8 at the Lee Center, 1108 Jefferson St.

  Jones Point Park Project Update - November 10, 2010

• Project Update to Honorable Mayor and members of City Council

• Jones Point Park Project Update - October 25, 2010
  The Jones Point Park Project was advertised for construction by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on July 27, 2010.  Two responses were received from potential contractors at the September 22, 2010 deadline. VDOT is reviewing the responses, and it is anticipated that a recommendation will be forwarded early November 2010. 
  
  In addition, it is anticipated that the selected contractor will be given notice to proceed in November 2010 and be provided with a completion date of June 25, 2012.  Prior to commencement of work in the Park, the contractor is obligated to participate in an open meeting to inform the public of intended work schedule(s).
  
  The public will be notified when a time and date for the meeting becomes available.

  Jones Point Park Access Update - August 11, 2010
  In coordination with the National Park Service and the City of Alexandria, (effective August 11, 2010) VDOT has re-opened the fence north of the bridge, in the vicinity of Lee St.
  
  With the existing opening in the fence south of the bridge, near the large silver maple, citizens that live north of the park may now directly cross under the bridge to access the southern park area near the Jones Point Lighthouse.  This is a very popular route for the dog-walkers and others.  This access will be permitted by VDOT until the Jones Point Park Improvements contractor needs to secure the area under the bridge for their work.
  
  For security purposes, access users are requested to pass as quickly as possible through the bridge security area.  VDOT will continue to maintain the existing fenced-off route of the Mount Vernon Trail under the bridge.  When the Jones Point Park contractor mobilizes on the site, the Mount Vernon Trail will be detoured via Franklin and Royal Sts.

• Staging Concept to Provide Public Access Within Park During Construction - July 23, 2010
• VDOT Staging Letter to Mayor William D Euille & Alexandria City Council Members - July 23, 2010
• Congressman James P. Moran & Mayor William D. Euille Letter to VDOT - July 21, 2010

• Jones Point Park: A Vibrant Past, A Bright Future 
• Park History 
• National Park Service Jones Point Park Environmental Assessment 
• Jones Point Park Permit Between NPS & City of Alexandria