Politics & Government

Simpson Dog Park May See the Light

Alexandria is considering adding lights to the popular Del Ray dog park.

Just in case you need it, here’s more evidence Alexandria has gone to the dogs.

Alexandria’s Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Activities has filed an application for a special-use permit requesting lighting for the dog park within Simpson Stadium Park.

While many areas of Simpson Stadium Park have lights, including the ball fields and a basketball court, the dog park itself is not directly lit in the evenings. The dog area receives substantial use throughout the year, including winter months when the sun sets earlier in the day.   

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An informal Simpson Dog Park advocates group submitted the project request to the city’s Park and Recreation Commission, which later recommended the project be pursued.

“It’s something I’ve requested for a long time,” said Del Ray resident Sandy Modell, who submitted the capital request. “The lights are needed to make the park safer for one thing, but by improving visibility people in the park people can keep a better eye on their dogs and monitor their activity.”

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A recent study of the entire Simpson Stadium Park for the city’s new park plans showed the dog park received the highest use in the entire recreation area, Modell said, helping the project gain some steam.

About 150 users of the off-leash area (humans only) signed a petition requesting the lights.

“This is something you need in any park,” Modell said. “The difference is this is the highest use—it’s recreation space used 365 days a year and it’s open until 10 p.m.”

The proposed lights—three in total—would not exceed 23 feet in height and be user-activated by a push button. They would stay lit for 20 minutes with each push of the button and automatically turn off at 10 p.m.

The proposal is expect to go before the Alexandria Planning Commission in October.


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