City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: JUNE 18, 2025
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
THROUGH: JAMES F. PARAJON, CITY MANAGER
FROM: HASHIM T. TAYLOR, DIRECTOR
RECREATION, PARKS & CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Consideration of a Grant Application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund to Support Improvements at John Ewald Park.
BODY
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ISSUE: That the City Council consider support of a grant application to the Land and Water Conservation Fund through the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to fund improvements at John Ewald Park.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council:
1. Approve a grant application, due by August 28, 2025, to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, to provide additional funding up to $2 million for the John Ewald Park Improvements; and
2. Authorize the City Manager to execute and submit all necessary documents that may be required to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
BACKGROUND: The Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program (LWCF) is a federal matching reimbursement program established in 1965. The program supports the acquisition and development of public outdoor recreation sites and facilities. Grantees must be able to fund 100% of their project while seeking periodic reimbursements.
DISCUSSION: In 2016, the Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities (RPCA) completed a multi-year process to develop a series of Neighborhood Park Improvement Plans, including John Ewald Park. In 2025, RPCA completed a planning process to update the 2016 John Ewald Park improvement plan aimed at improving safety, desired recreational activities, and overall improvement to the site configuration.
Staff recommends submitting the John Ewald Park project for this grant because it is part of the 2016 Neighborhood Parks Improvement Plan and has been updated in 2025, which included extensive public engagement, and a 50% match is already planned in the City’s budget. Staff considered other sites and did not find that they were suitably “shovel ready” or budgeted. The project is considered a priority project in the plan and addresses community needs in a West End park. Attached are the 2016 John Ewald Park concept plan (Attachment 1) and 2025 updated John Ewald Park concept plan (Attachment 2). The plans may be found by visiting the John Ewald Park Improvement Plan <https://www.alexandriava.gov/parks/project/john-ewald-park-improvements> website.
Should the City receive LWCF funding, the funding may be used to support the recommended improvements from the 2025 John Ewald Park Improvement Plan. The exact scope will be determined based on the award.
Per the grant requirements, an award to the City would require the 3.88-acre parcel of land be protected in perpetuity as public outdoor recreation areas. Protecting this land is vital to ensuring future recreational opportunities in the West End. Other nearby parkland protected through federal programs include Ben Brenman Park and Armistead L. Boothe Parks, which were transferred to the City in 1997 through the Federal Lands to Parks program. In addition, Chinquapin Park, Angel Park and Forest Park were acquired through LWCF funding in the 1970s.
FISCAL IMPACT: The grant requires a 50% City match, for a maximum total match of $1 million. The project already has $2.1 million in City funds appropriated, with another $2 million planned in FY 2027 in the Approved FY 2026 - FY 2035 Capital Improvement Program. No additional budgeting is required to meet the match requirement. If awarded LWCF grant funding, City staff will scope the construction to budget.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. John Ewald Park Concept Plan 2016
2. John Ewald Park Concept Plan 2025
STAFF:
Emily Baker, Deputy City Manager
Jack Browand, Deputy Director of Park Services, RPCA
Bethany Znidersic, Division Chief, Park Services, RPCA
Judy Lo, Principal Planner, Park Services, RPCA