In the heart of Old Town Alexandria, Founders Park was created. It was derived from the efforts of a small group of residents opposed to building plans in 1978. The plan was to build an apartment complex of four 18-story towers along the streets of Queen, Quay, Princess and Union. Had it not been for such strong opposition to the proposed development, Founders Park would not exist today.

In the early 1700s, the area was called West Point and was the first important European settlement along the waterfront that predates the city of Alexandria. The warehouse that was built there in 1732 was the first permanent structure established on the waterfront and led to the founding of the town. Next article.

Through the 1800s, the area was a tobacco storage area, a landing point for slaves from Africa, and the site of a notorious ‘fish town’, a seasonal community of wharf laborers who inhabited a makeshift shantytown by the river. During the Civil War, the Union army occupied the waterfront and used the wharves for shipping and receiving goods from the Potomac.

By the turn of the century, West Point was the site of the Smoot coal and lumber yard and continued to be an industrial area until the 1960s when Smoot moved and West Point became an empty, trashy vacant lot by the river, ripe for developers. By late 1976, the plan was to build an apartment complex of four 18-story towers. Residents of the new townhouses along Queen, Quay, Princess, and Union streets, were banned together to prevent it from happening.

What at first appeared to be an uphill struggle was finally met with success when an arrangement was reached with the City of Alexandria and the apartment consortium to build the condominium in a different location. This made it possible for the neighborhood residents to press vigorously for a park that could be enjoyed by the public. Learn more here.

The people succeeded in persuading the City Council to spend $18,000 for improvements to the shoreline and landscaping. By the fall of 1978, the name had been changed to Founders Park. City Council worked to get Federal funds to change the zoning, and in 1979 Founders Park Community Association (FPCA) was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit membership organization. The FPCA was dedicated to improving and maintaining Founders Park and the quality of life in the Founders Park Area. The City of Alexandria bought the Park in October of 1981 and has designated Founders Park as a passive park for all to enjoy. FPCA works with the City of Alexandria and other civic groups to protect, preserve and improve Founders Park’s beautiful green space and maintain its designation as a passive park.

Today, Founders Park is a peaceful riverside park in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It is near the shops and restaurants of King Street, the Alexandria marina, and the Torpedo Factory. It is a popular urban green space where the public can stroll along the shore, appreciate the beautiful river vistas, walk their dogs, play volleyball, have a picnic, and enjoy the tranquility of this wonderful site. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the fresh air and the natural beauty of the river.​​​​​​​​​