Mount Jefferson Park and Greenway

If you live in this part of Alexandria, you already know about this one — it’s a genuine neighborhood gem that hasn’t been overrun yet. The soft matting under the play equipment is a real selling point for parents of toddlers, way more forgiving than the usual wood chips or asphalt. Shade trees keep things tolerable in the summer, and the walking and bike paths make it worth the trip even if the kids aren’t in a playground mood. There’s usually a stash of community toys left out for sharing, which says a lot about the kind of crowd this park attracts. Good for ages 2 to 10, though the littler ones honestly get the most out of it.