Hundreds of dogs and their owners turned out April 2 for the inaugural ALX Dog Walk in Oronoco Bay Park.

The Timmons family enjoys the first annual ALX Dog Walk April 2 at Oronoco Bay Park.

 

The 2-mile walk along the Old Town waterfront served as a fundraiser for the newly formed nonprofit ALX Dog Walk, which aims to help beautify and protect the city’s environment and educate citizens about best sustainability practices.

NBC4 meteorologist Chuck Bell served as honorary emcee with Monte Durham of “Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta” and Mayor Justin Wilson serving as honorary co-chairs.

Durham served as judge for the costume contest with winners receiving a $100 gift card from The Dog Store in Del Ray and a one-year supply of eco-friendly laundry detergent from Earth Breeze.

Founded by local resident Julie Chapman, the event raised over $40,000 with all net proceeds donated to initiatives to include Operation Waterfront Clean-Up, a new project to clean up plastic, debris and trash along the banks of the Potomac River; the refurbishing of King Street Garden Park, and the planting of 20 trees to contribute to Alexandria’s tree canopy.

“We want to educate people about plastic-free living and sustainability and also help beautify and protect the city of Alexandria’s environment,” Chapman said. “We hope this becomes an annual tradition that the area seeks out while raising money to do good in the community.”

“We want to educate people about plastic-free living and sustainability.”

ALX Dog Walk founder Julie Chapman

Participants register for the first annual ALX Dog Walk April 2 in Oronoco Bay Park.