Restore Fitzgerald Square to Alexandria’s Waterfront

The City of Alexandria approved their Waterfront Plan in 2012, which included a naming a new park after Colonel John Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald helped establish Saint Mary’s Parish, served in the Revolutionary War, and was Mayor of Alexandria. You can read about Colonel Fitzgerald here.

The groundbreaking was set for Saint Patrick’s Day of this year, which seemed appropriate due to his Irish heritage. Shortly before the groundbreaking, without notice or explanation, Fitzgerald’s name was stripped from the plan and it was referred to as King Street Park at the Waterfront.

Since then, our Ancient Order of Hibernians have been working with parishioners and other members of the community to get Fitzgerald’s name back onto this park.

The City of Alexandria is conducting a survey until November 16 to get suggestions for naming the park. Go to this site https://survey.alexandriava.gov/s3/New-Park-Name-2018 and vote for Fitzgerald Square! Select the “separate park option” and suggest “Fitzgerald Square” for the name.

A public hearing hosted by the Alexandria City Council Naming Committee will be on November 15 at 7:00 pm in the Charles Houston Recreation Center (901 Wythe Street).  

On a recent episode of The Basilica of Saint Mary Podcast, AOH President Terry Riley talked about the ongoing effort to honor Fitzgerald. You can listen to that podcast here.

Updated October 10, 2018