Joseph Hensley Park Renovation

Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities is currently designing a renovation of Joseph Hensley Park, scheduled for phased implementation beginning in 2022. The proposed design plan has a number of amendments to the endorsed 2014 Joseph Hensley Park Improvement Plan. The proposed design plan will maintain diamond and rectangular athletic uses on site and upgrade the facilities.
Page updated on Sep 13, 2023 at 8:38 AM

Project Description

In 2018, Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA) began designing renovations of Joseph Hensley Park. Proposed improvements are based on the findings of substantive community outreach, which culminated in the 2014 Joseph Hensley Park Citywide Parks Improvement Plan. Over the design development process, several amendments to the 2014 plan were endorsed by the Park and Recreation Commission and the greater City of Alexandria Community. Joseph Hensley Park Renovation will maintain the diamond and rectangular athletic uses onsite while delivering the following improvements over the course of two independent construction periods: 

  • address stormwater and site drainage issues, 
  • increase parking capacity,
  • upgrade the sports lighting,
  • upgrade one natural turf diamond field,
  • convert the upper natural turf diamond field to synthetic turf,  
  • convert the rectangular field to synthetic turf,
  • improve site circulation and ADA access,
  • replace the current restrooms,
  • add a play space,
  • add a second park shelter, and
  • add a multi-use court/performance space.

Due to the total project costs, completing city initiatives and significant supply chain issues resulting from the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, the City has elected to deliver the Joseph Hensley Park Renovation in two separate construction phases. The value of the construction is estimated to be $6 Million and $5 Million, respectively for a total investment exceeding $11 Million. Phase 1 of Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer/Fall of 2023 and conclude in Spring of 2025. The park will remain closed through the construction period.

Hensley Park Renovations
Click here to download and view the Site Concept Plan.

 

Status

  • Construction Procurement

Schedule

  • Winter 2022/2023: Completed Design
  • Spring 2023: Construction Procurement
  • Summer/Fall 2023: Begin Construction

Location

4200 Eisenhower Avenue

Planning Phase

In the summer of 2012, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) began a multi-year process with the public to develop a Citywide Parks Improvement Plan. The goal of this initiative was to study and understand the existing conditions and future needs for Alexandria's parks that are over 10-acres, municipally owned, and have multiple uses, including: Ben Brenman and Armistead L. Boothe Parks, Chinquapin Park, Four Mile Run Park, Joseph Hensley Park, the Holmes Run Park System, and Simpson Stadium Park. These parks serve as vital open spaces for our community, providing recreational opportunities, areas for picnic and relaxation, and ecological benefits to the City. 

The Park and Recreation Commission formally endorsed the Citywide Parks Improvement Plan on April 10, 2014. Final Hensley Park Improvement Plan (2014). 

Design Phase

The goal of the current project phase is to develop and permit a fully constructible design, which satisfies the objectives listed and does not exceed the project budget. As part of this phase, community outreach was performed to build consensus around the proposed design. Impacts to existing facilities and user groups will be highlighted for review in tandem with the proposed improvements to ensure that the community has a complete understand of the project. A rendering of the proposed improvements is provided below: 

Click here to download and view the Site Concept Plan.

Design Update

  • April 8, 2019: Update to Youth Sports Advisory
  • November 19, 2020: RPCA introduced the plan amendment to the Park and Recreation Commission
  • December 17, 2020: RPCA presented the a park design and amendments to the 2014 Citywide Parks Improvements Plan for the renovation of Joseph Hensley Park to the Park and Recreation Commission
  • January 21, 2021: The Park & Recreation Commission endorsed the 60% design and park improvement plan amendments.
  • March 2, 2021: Planning Commission approved the Development Special Use Permit for the renovations.
  • June 14, 2021: The Youth Sports Advisory Board recommended that the upper diamond field be converted to synthetic turf.
  • June 17, 2021: Park & Recreation Commission approved an amendment to convert the upper diamond field to synthetic turf.
  • September 17, 2022: City Council approved a Special Use Permit to raise the protective netting from 20 feet in height to 30 feet.

Construction Phase

Construction Meetings

Construction Timeline

Construction Preparations: Ongoing

  • Facilities are offline for reservations and programming
  • Removal and stockpiling of materials to be salvaged
  • Coordination with Construction Contractor
  • Existing conditions inspection by Construction Contractor (site turn-over)​​​​​​​

Construction Mobilization and Construction Activities

  • Start of Construction Activities is anticipated in October
  • Robust construction to begin in November

Construction Close Out and Substantial Completion

  • Substantial completion is anticipated Spring 2025

Resume Programming

  • Spring 2025