Colasanto Park

Have you ever wondered what happened to a beloved community pool? Colasanto Park in Alexandria, Virginia, has a fascinating story to tell. It began as the Nicholas Colasanto Outdoor Pool, opening its gates with a splash in 1969. For over 40 years, it served as a vibrant hub, a place where generations of families came to cool off and connect. Imagine the laughter, the joyful squeals of children, the camaraderie amongst neighbors. Colasanto Park was more than just a pool; it was the heart of the Del Ray neighborhood. But time and circumstance took their toll. In 2010, the pool closed. The community mourned the loss of this cherished gathering place. But the story doesn’t end there. Colasanto Park was destined for a transformation. The City of Alexandria envisioned a new kind of space, one that could serve the community year-round. The old pool area would be reborn as a vibrant spray park, a place for all ages to enjoy. And it would still be Colasanto Park, honoring its legacy. The city launched a project called “From My Stories to Your Stories” to capture the community’s memories and dreams for the new park. Artist Bératrice Coron was commissioned to create a unique art piece that reflected the spirit of Del Ray. Coron reached out to residents, asking them to share their stories and images of what they loved and missed about the area. These personal narratives would become the inspiration for her artwork, weaving the community’s history into the very fabric of the new Colasanto Park. The park’s redesign was a collaboration. LSG Landscape Architecture worked with the community to create a multigenerational, all-season space. The spray park would be the centerpiece, but the design also included areas for passive recreation and community events. Colasanto Park was to be a place where people could gather, connect, and celebrate. Today, Colasanto Park is a testament to the power of community vision and collaboration. It’s a place where the echoes of the past mingle with the laughter of the present, a space where memories are made and stories continue to unfold.