Daily Walkers, Farmers’ Market Fans & Families Weighed In — Big Changes Are Ahead for Ben Brenman Park
More than 400 residents helped guide upgrades to the Southside Trail, and the top choices may surprise you.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — If you’ve ever laced up your sneakers, grabbed a coffee before the farmers’ market, or taken a quiet lap around the trail at Ben Brenman Park, you’re not alone — and now your voice is helping shape what comes next.
Results from a community survey conducted in early summer 2025 are guiding future improvements to the Southside Trail area of Ben Brenman Park. In total, 414 residents completed the survey, offering detailed insight into how they use the park — and what enhancements they’d like to see.
The data paints a clear picture: Ben Brenman isn’t just a park. It’s part of daily life.
More than one-third of respondents (34.1%) reported visiting the park daily or almost daily. While 35.1% travel by car, a majority — 57.1% — typically walk. Notably, 70.6% of respondents live within walking distance, underscoring the park’s role as a true neighborhood hub.
Walking is by far the most common activity, with 85.8% identifying it as a primary use. Trail use follows at 61%, and 55.1% said they attend the farmers’ market hosted at the park. Another 37.5% visit simply to relax. Most respondents (51.2%) spend between 30 minutes and one hour per visit.
Nearly two-thirds (63.5%) say they regularly use the Southside trail area — the focus of the proposed improvement project.
What Residents Want
When asked to choose preferred upgrades, residents made their priorities clear.
The top request — selected by 70.4% of respondents — was planting native trees, plants, and flowers. Adult fitness equipment ranked second at 42.8%, followed by educational signage to help children learn about animals and nature (28.1%).
The survey drew participants ranging in age from 10 to 85, with a median age of 47 — reflecting broad, cross-generational investment in the park’s future.
Who’s Leading the Effort
The initiative is led by Iulia Fratila, Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health at George Mason University’s College of Public Health. Fratila served as the primary applicant for support through the Virginia Walkability Institute (VWAI), a program of the Virginia Department of Health supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
She partnered with Bryce Neuman, an undergraduate student in George Mason University’s Department of Social Work.
The project also includes collaboration with the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities (RPCA), including its marketing, PARKnership, and urban planning teams.
Through VWAI, the effort received technical guidance from Equitable Cities, LLC, an urban planning and public policy research firm. Senior transportation planner Reba Oduro served as a faculty mentor, providing consultation throughout the survey and planning process.
What Happens Next
Project leaders say the results will directly inform design decisions for the Southside Trail area. By incorporating resident feedback, the initiative aims to enhance walkability, support active lifestyles, and strengthen the park’s role as an accessible, welcoming space for the Alexandria community.
Further updates are expected as planning continues.
For a park that many residents visit daily — whether for exercise, fresh produce, or a moment of quiet — the message is clear: Ben Brenman’s next chapter is being written by the people who use it most.
