Current and Upcoming Construction Projects
- Playground Renovations
- Citywide Court Improvements
- Four Mile Run Restoration Project
- Waterfront Schematic Landscape and Flood Mitigation Design
- Holmes Run Bike Trail Improvements
- Simpson Park Playground and Passive Lawn Renovation
Current Park Planning Projects
- Park Plans
- Citywide Parks Improvement Plans (10+ acre multi-use parks)
- Neighborhood Parks Improvement Plans (0.5 - 10 acre parks)
- Braddock Park
- Fort Ward Park
- Aquatics Feasibility Study
- Parks and Recreation Needs Assessment
- Mount Jefferson Park
- Cameron Run Area Coordinated Park and Open Space
Plan
Open Space in Alexandria
Alexandria adopted an Open Space Master Plan in 2003. The plan seeks to enhance and grow the City’s open spaces through an established framework of fifteen open space goals. Since its inception, City staff continues to work with the public to achieve the goals set forth in the plan. A total of just over 68 acres of the 100 acre of open space goal has been acquired, dedicated or put into conservation and public access easements since 2003.
Resources
Master Plans
- Athletic Field Master Plan (2006)
- Diamond Fields Study (2014)
- Dog Parks Master Plan (2000)
- Four Mile Run Restoration Plan (2006)
- Open Space Plan (2003)
- Strategic Master Plan for Open Space, Parks & Recreation (2002)
- Urban Forestry Master Plan (2009)
Current Landscape Guidelines (Updated: 04/07 - First Edition: 12/97)
The purpose of the Landscape Guidelines is to incorporate, up-front ecologically based planning as a means of improving the quality of the environment within the City while reducing maintenance requirements and costs over-time. The Landscape Guidelines establish minimum standards for the protection and preservation of existing vegetation; crown area coverage; installation and maintenance of proposed plantings-including street trees, site plantings, plantings above structure and plantings in parking and bioretention areas. The standards include reference sources for plant specification; project conditions and installation; advise on invasive species; post construction procedures and maintenance. Information in the Landscape Guidelines is not intended to replace, but to supplement applicable codes, ordinances and development procedures. In any given application the City may require additional improvements and plantings beyond the established minimums.The Landscape Guidelines are intended for use by property owners, developers, and applicants seeking Site Plan, Plot Plan, Development Special Use Permit, and/or Special Use Permit approval within the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
Park Facility Standards Manual
The Park Facility Standards Manual (Standards) establishes the minimum design, construction and performance expectations and requirements for the City’s park features. The intent of the Standards is to inform and guide park and open space planning, capital improvements and capital maintenance and to sustain life-cycle resource investments in public space. The Standards are a reference instrument for selection of materials, fixtures, and systems and integrate City criteria with industry standards and applicable Federal/State/City requirements into a primary single-source document. Anticipated benchmarks for performance/function, safety, environmental impact, and anticipated maintenance/life- cycle resource needs are established by each Standard.
Although established in Summer, 2012, the Park Facility Standards Manual is a living document that is updated and re-evaluated coincident with advancements in industry, changes in the City’s park and open space system, and recreational needs.
Information in the manual is not intended to replace or function as specifications, construction documents, or contract documents.
Park Facility Standards Manual —(Full PDF-7.22MB) Current as of June 21, 2012