Alexandrians Suggest Name For New King Street Park

The City of Alexandria is close to finalizing the name for the new King Street waterfront park. Residents provided input for names in an online survey, and a few suggestions were more popular than others. The survey ultimately found many residents want to stick with the Fitzgerald Square name originally used in the park planning process.

The survey, which was open from Oct. 9-Nov. 16, asked residents for a name suggestion and whether they wanted the park to be joined with the adjacent Waterfront Park. According to the city, variations of Fitzgerald received 47 percent of votes and Waterfront received 10 percent.

Names receiving at least 1 percent of votes were variations of Kerry Donley, King Street, Old Town, Parky McParkface and Pat Troy.

The Waterfront Plan adopted by City Council in 2012 used Fitzergerald Square as a placeholder name. However, officials later said the park would have to go through a formal naming process.

The name refers to Col. John Fitzgerald, an Irish immigrant, Alexandria mayor, American Revolution war hero, and founder of the first Catholic church in Virginia (now the Basilica of Saint Mary). Irish-American groups such as the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the late Pat Troy's Ballyshaners wrote to the Council demanding the name Fitzerald Square be restored to recognize John Fitzgerald's contributions to Alexandria.

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The survey found 66 percent of respondents want a single park encompassing the current Waterfront Park and new King Street park. 34 percent prefer separate parks.

The Naming Committee will meet on Thursday, Nov. 29 from 7:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. to make a recommendation to City Council. The recommendation will be based on public input.

Construction is underway for the new park, at the site of the original King Street park along with the former Old Dominion Boat Club building and parking lot. It will feature a plaza, waterfront promenade, shade structures, and a space that can be converted for different seasonal uses. No opening date has been announced.

Image via City of Alexandria