Eugene Simpson Stadium Park

Friendly place, but poorly maintained (so, play at your own risk). Public bathroom for the baseball and soccer fields are available 24/7 year-round; a huge advantage over nearby Shirlington dog park in Arlington. The City has put off much needed renovation and nearly all maintenance, waiting until Pulte Homes puts the finishing touches on a nearby dog park that was required under their development permit for condos across the street. Now more than two years overdue, the consequences for Simpson dog park are showing. Since Simpson dog park is built on top of debris from the collapsed Monroe Ave bridge, over-use of the dog park has killed all if the grass that held a protective layer of dirt in place. Wet weather turns the park into a muddy cesspool. The debris is increasingly exposed and increasingly becoming a hazard to dogs in the park. The picture is of a piece of metal debris that my dog got caught between her toes recently. Understandably, fewer and fewer people use the park. Once a jewell in Alexandria's crown, this dog park is best avoided nowadays. ... unless there's nowhere else to go. (Actually, there isn't. Just brace yourself before you come and plan to bathe the dog upon returning home.)