For Immediate Release: February 11, 2013

Public Invited to Attend Community Meeting for Planning the Open Space Property at 5325 Polk Ave.

The public is invited to attend a community meeting to discuss the new park property at 5325 Polk Ave. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 19 at 7 p.m. and will be held at the William Ramsay Recreation Center, 5650 Sanger Ave.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss future community use and potential improvements to the property. Based on community input, City staff will draft a plan for the future use and improvements to the new park. The draft plan will then be reviewed and discussed at a public hearing with the Park and Recreation Commission this spring.

The property was purchased in December 2012 when City Council authorized City Manager Rashad M. Young to contract for the acquisition for $1.9 million. The City’s purchase of this 2.34 acre property used the $1.5 million provided by the Department of Defense to mitigate loss of open space in the West End, as well as $0.4 million in City Open Space funds. The Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group recommended the acquisition of this site in October 2012 after reviewing 8 sites in the City’s West End which had been nominated by City residents.

Persons unable to attend the meeting can send written comments to the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities, Attention: Laura Durham, 1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria, VA 22314, or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, please call Laura Durham, Open Space Coordinator, at 703.746.5493, or e-mail laura.durham@alexandriava.gov.