Park Operations

The preservation, stewardship, and sustainability of City's parks, open spaces, and natural resources are central to RPCA’s mission and important goals of its operations and environmental management practices.
Page updated on November 20, 2025 at 3:01 PM
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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.

Volunteer Application

Learn More

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.

Volunteer Application

City Arborist & Tree Maintenance

The Urban Forestry Section of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities is responsible for the management of the urban forest on public lands within the City of Alexandria, as well as working with other landowners to plant trees and increase tree canopy cover on private property.  

Community Gardens

Community Gardening is one way that the City is helping to increase Alexandria residents’ access to locally grown, environmentally sustainable foods as part of the  Healthy Food Alexandria initiative. 

Environmental & Sustainable Management System

As part of the “Eco-City Alexandria” initiative, and consistent with its mission, RPCA developed an “Environmental Sustainability Management System (ESMS).”

Facility Maintenance & Mowing

  • Mowing Operations
  • Winterization
    The City of Alexandria, to minimize the risk of freeze damage to park infrastructure, shuts down irrigation systems, water fountains and certain restroom facilities annually. Winterization begins in the last week of October and continues through November. Systems are returned to operating conditions beginning in late March through April. The following systems are winterized annually:
    • All park and facility irrigation systems
    • All park and facility outdoor water fountains
    • Potomac Yard Interactive Fountain
    • Restrooms located at A. L. Boothe Park; Minnie Howard Athletic Fields; and the Fort Ward Park (rear facility)
      • Restrooms Open Year-Round: Eugene Simpson; Joseph Hensley; Ben Brenman; Witter; and Limerick Parks/Athletic Facilities

Natural Resource Management

Safety Inspections

City staff ensure park facilities are hazard free and meet safety standards through regular inspections. Impact testing (commonly referred to as g-max testing) measures the shock-attenuation performance of sports and playground surfaces. Measuring impact-attenuation is a fundamental tool of athletic field (synthetic & natural) and playground surfacing (synthetic and natural) safety testing.

FY 2019 G-Max Testing Summary Results

Trash & Recycling Management Program in Parks

To improve aesthetics, safety, and efficiency, many trash and recycling cans are located at park entrances and parking areas. In coordination with the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services, cans are placed near park entrances for the following reasons:

  • The City’s trash collection vehicles pose a danger to park-users when these vehicles are driven on pedestrian sidewalks and trails. 
  • Collection vehicles damage lawns and turf when driven “off-road.”
  • Remote trash cans located away from entrances and parking areas must often be serviced “on foot” and are hard to see from a distance which extends collection time even when many trash cans are empty.  
  • This supports the National Park Service’s philosophy that park visitors should “leave no trace; pack it in, then pack it out.” 

The collection schedule is indicated on the side of each trash and recycling can. Learn more about the Resource Recovery Program.