In the next few weeks, the Simpson Stadium Dog Park should be expanding considerably in size. However, if you have been taking your dog to the park long enough, you might think of it more as returning to its former size.

Back in 2007 when Potomac Yard Development was working on the Monroe Avenue Bridge Project, the City of Alexandria gave the group permission to move the eastern fence of the dog park in to provide more room for bridge construction. This was done with the understanding that as the Potomac Yard Park development continued, the dog park would be returned to its original size.

Now that the future soccer fields just east of the park have been fenced in, the final orientation of the dog park has been set. When you visit the park, you will notice a new green fence that is past the current fence and above the grassy incline. That will become the new edge to the park. So along with more space, this also means dogs will once again be able to enjoy both high and low ground at the park.

Fabric is to be placed over the new fence. Then, barring any weather issues, sometime in the next few weeks the development group will be closing the park for one or two days. During this time they will take down the old fence and prepare the park to be reopened and restored to its larger size.

Once a date is set, the City of Alexandria will be posting notices outside the dog park about a week in advance of the closing.

This could be a good opportunity to go for an adventure and try out one of the other dog parks in the area, like Shirlington Park that runs parallel to the Four Mile Run stream.

Regardless, keep an eye out for the notices and plan your Simpson Park-less days accordingly.