Four Alexandria Recreation and Parks workers lower a picnic table from their work truck to the path leading into Monticello Park on Wednesday, May 22. This new picnic bench will replace a crumbling bench currently sitting by the stream in the front of the park.

This new bench was funded by the $10,000 matching partnership grant received by Alexandria Country Day School (ACDS) for community organizations that want to make improvements in city parks.

The grant also includes replacement of the park bench located near the picnic table as well as the creation of a new interpretative sign that has been created by the ACDS students and will be placed near the bridge at the front of the park.

Monticello Park is a small park located on Beverley Drive close to the school. With its tree canopy and stream wandering through the park, it offers an oasis to migrating warblers in the spring as well as a habitat for resident birds. ACDS students have been studying the plants and birds in the park as part of their curriculum and using the park as their own outdoor laboratory. The sign will reflect their bird research and include original student art.