DRCA Receives Matching Funds for Pocket Park

The Del Ray Citizens Association is partnering with the City of Alexandria to fund some of the remaining elements of the pocket park at the corner of E. Del Ray and Commonwealth avenues.

Working with Mayor Bill Euille and Councilman Justin Wilson, the DRCA board offered a $21,500 contribution for the park in hopes of receiving matching funds from the city to add trees and other segments of the park plan.

City Council obliged the DRCA’s request by slotting $27,400 for the park as part of its capital improvement plan approved earlier this month.

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The combined funds will allow the construction of a plaza with a labyrinth pattern, additional walkways, benches, signs and trees.

The purchase and installation of a new irrigation system and drinking fountain at the park remains unfunded, but the new funding allows the construction of an underground sleeving system that will support the installation of these amenities when more money becomes available.

The DRCA membership approved the use of the use of funds last week, though some members at the May meeting voiced opposition to using all the funding on just one project.

The DRCA’s share was pooled from funds raised during the 2008 and 2012 home and garden tours, its neighborhood beautification/tree fund, parks improvement fund and the Judy Lowe memorial fund.

The DRCA board is considering naming the park after Lowe, a longtime neighborhood resident and citizens association member who passed away in November 2011. The group had previously circulated a petition to name the Monroe Avenue Bridge after Lowe.

The tot lot at the park opened in August 2011.

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