Simpson Garden Honors Gardener in Chief Audrey Faden

Alexandria, VA — The Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia gathered this Tuesday at the Simpson Park Demonstration Garden to honor Audrey Faden, a beloved volunteer and visionary who significantly contributed to the development of one of Del Ray’s most cherished green spaces.  Present at the ceremony was Audrey’s husband, Robert Faden, a prominent botanist in his own right, along with his nephew, Steve Evans, and Steve’s husband, Ed Tobin.

The plaque was unveiled in her memory to recognize her many contributions, including the design of the Water-wise Demonstration Garden at Simpson Park — often described as a “green gem in the heart of Del Ray.” Faden, who passed away this summer, left a legacy of beauty, education, and environmental stewardship that continues to flourish throughout Alexandria.

Faden became a Master Gardener in 1980, working alongside her husband in demonstration gardens throughout  Arlington and Alexandria. In 1995, she established a public garden at the Del Ray Farmers Market, combining her passion for plants with her commitment to community engagement. Her leadership and creativity earned citywide recognition: in 1999, the Alexandria Commission for Women presented her with the Cultural Affairs Award for her contributions to civic beautification, and in 2013, both she and her husband were honored by the North American Rock Garden Society for their lifelong dedication to horticulture.

Nestled between the YMCA and the baseball fields at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, the Simpson Park Demonstration Garden began as a paved lot before volunteers transformed it into a vibrant landscape of native plants, pollinators, and sustainable design.

Established more than 25 years ago by volunteers from the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, the garden features 13 themed beds — from pollinator and shade gardens to its signature “water-wise” section showcasing plants that thrive with minimal irrigation.

“Simpson Garden demonstrates that beauty and environmental stewardship can go hand in hand,” said Denise Dieter, a longtime volunteer. “It’s proof that even small green spaces can make a big impact.”

Over the decades, hundreds of Master Gardeners have cared for the space through weekly work sessions, labeling plants, and sharing sustainable gardening practices with visitors. Their work has made Simpson Garden both a living classroom and a community gathering place, inspiring residents to create pollinator-friendly, water-conscious landscapes of their own.

In 2018, the garden celebrated its 25th anniversary, and in 2024, it received the City of Alexandria’s Community Beautification Award — a testament to its enduring role in the city’s environmental life.

For Del Ray residents, Simpson Garden is more than a collection of plants. It’s a story of transformation, resilience, and shared care for the environment — and now, with the plaque for Audrey Faden, a lasting reminder that friendship and nature, when nurtured, can flourish anywhere.