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YMCA and community warn Simpson Park renovation will remove nearby parking, urge alternatives
Summary
YMCA leaders and nearby volunteers told council that the Eugene Simpson Park renovation will remove 53 city-owned parking spaces adjacent to the YMCA, harming seniors, people with mobility needs, and garden volunteers; they urged staff to explore mitigation and alternative parking.
Multiple speakers at the Alexandria City Council public comment period urged the city to address parking impacts from the Eugene Simpson Park renovation, saying construction plans would eliminate 53 city-owned parking spots on Leslie Avenue adjacent to the YMCA and Simpson Park.
Lisonbee Jones, chief public policy and impact officer for the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, told council the loss of the 53 spaces "will severely impact seniors and people with limited mobility who depend on proximity to enter the Y safely" and will complicate school drop-off, summer-camp logistics and access to health programs such as aqua aerobics and diabetes-prevention classes. Nick D'Orazio, executive director of YMCA Alexandria, said the Y supports the park improvements but asked for transparency and mitigation because closing the parking could impair programming and services beyond normal operations.
Other speakers echoed those concerns. Kristen Oboranek, board chair of YMCA Alexandria, endorsed earlier remarks and asked the city to identify safe, accessible parking options. Cindy Robertson, president of the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, explained that volunteers maintain the Simpson Park Demonstration Garden and regularly bring heavy tools and supplies; she said relocating to distant lots such as the Aldi or CVS lots would require pedestrians to cross Monroe Avenue and would be unsafe for many volunteers.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and said staff and the city manager's office have been meeting with contractors and will follow up on potential solutions and alternatives during the construction process. No formal council action was taken at this meeting to change the construction plan; city staff committed to report back with options and to continue dialogue with the YMCA and neighborhood stakeholders.
The public comments came during the council'run public discussion period and preceded votes on consent items and the Landmark Overlook permit extension.
