Alexandria Park Renaming For Environmental Advocate Heads To City Council

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The renaming of a park in the Braddock Metro neighborhood for an environmental activist will head to City Council for final approval.

The City of Alexandria proposed renaming the Braddock Interim Park as Judy Guse-Noritake Braddock Park. The park's namesake is Judy Guse-Noritake, who ALX NOW reported died in 2022. Guse-Noritake was a longtime Alexandria resident, served 20 years on the Park & Recreation Commission and was an advocate for environmental causes, according to the city.

The proposed renaming is supported by the Braddock Lofts Homeowners Association and the Braddock Metro Citizens’ Coalition, the latter of which she helped found, according to ALX Now. The city says she was involved in "numerous projects and initiatives that have improved parks and natural spaces."

The park is a half-acre space at 600 North Henry Street that will become a permanent 1-acre park. The interim park offers community recreation with gathering areas, seating, joggle boards, a bocce ball court, horseshoe pits and a ping pong table. The city is working on a permanent park and would keep the name Judy Guse-Noritake Braddock Park.

Public comments were strongly supportive in renaming the park to honor Guse-Noritake.

Leaders of the Henry Condominium said Guse-Noritake helped the park become active through activities like movies and yoga. As a founder and first president of the Braddock Metro Citizens Coalition, she is credited with working with other organizations to sponsor events in the park.

"If you stop by the park and take a look at the grass and the trees, they are healthy and thriving in part because of the many days Judy spent watering when the park first opened, as well as her work to coordinate volunteers to do the same on hot days," the Henry Condominium's letter reads. "She'd often let the neighborhood kids know when the sprinkler would be out, inviting them to play and cool off on a hot summer day, and also asked neighborhood residents to contribute ideas for resources and play items that can still be found for community use under the ping pong tables."

The Braddock Metro Citizens Coalition board noted Guse-Noritake wanted residents of all income levels to have access to Alexandria's green space and supported recreation centers as community hubs.

"Today, all around our City, Judy leaves a rich legacy of what is possible when you work to bring people together around good ideas," the board said in a letter. "That legacy of parks, good design, diverse neighborhoods and sustainable communities is one that will benefit generations."

City Council's Naming Committee recommended Judy Guse-Noritake Braddock Park to the full council on May 23. The proposal heads to City Council for first reading on Tuesday and public hearing with final approval on Saturday.