Waterfront Operations Weekly Update 4/29-3/3

My name is Eugene Loew, I am the Park Manager - Waterfront Operations for the City of Alexandria. I would like to provide regular updates to all interested persons of Waterfront Operations. 

Waterfront Operations Update: April 29- May 3

 Recent highlights:

• Mowing at all parks is on a 10 day mowing schedule
• The volunteers at Founders, Oronoco Bay, and Rivergate Parks painted the rails on the viewing docks, removed driftwood from the stone, weeded and mulched the flower beds and cleaned up the Rivergate volleyball court. They all did a great job! 
• We have identified several irrigation leaks. Irrigation should not cause standing water, if you notice standing water in the morning when there was no recent rain or flooding feel free to let me know the location and I will make sure there is not an issue with the irrigation at that location. The south half of Founders Park has had the irrigation shut off for the time being.
• The contract work at Point Lumley Park and Roberdeau Park started this week. This work will be complete over the next few weeks. The planting areas around Waterfront Park have also been cleaned up.
• Weed control applications has started in some areas. Weed control application on walkways and mulched areas will continue throughout the season.
  Herbicide:  MSDS   
  Pre-emergent:  MSDS

Coming Soon:

• We are planning on changing the rope around Founders Dog Park from its current location to only covering the new seed and struggling areas in the middle of the dog park.
• We are looking at the possibility of using some different equipment to accomplish some waterfront needs. You may see staff working with some equipment such as a hydroseeder of a device that is meant to kill weeds with steam (for applications on the shoreline).
• We are planning on replacing the French drain at the low area of Founders Park with a faster drainage option. This may result in a small ground level drain grate in that area.

Upcoming Windmill Hill Improvements (planned to be done within the next month):

• The cement at the area near the volleyball court is going to be repaired and a bollard installed to restrict vehicular access.
• Several picnic table pads are planning on being installed (these will be flagstone to match the existing stone walkways) and the old picnic tables replaced.
• We are on placing several benches around the bulkhead.

Current work on contract is:

• Landscaping around Point Lumley and Roberdeau Parks, planned to be completed in the next few weeks.
• Installation of pads for picnic tables and repairs on concrete at Windmill Hill Park.
• Weed Control applications within 10’ of shoreline
• We are looking at contract mowing at some of the Waterfront areas, a cost/benefit analysis is being reviewed to assure proper allocation of resources.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, or comments.

Eugene Loew   CPRP, CPSI
Park Manager - Waterfront Operations
Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities
1108 Jefferson St., Alexandria VA 22134
Phone: 703-746-5518  
Email: eugene.loew@alexandriava.gov