By Marsha Mercer, Extension Master Gardener
Photos by Marsha Mercer, November 2025
Twice a week from early spring to late fall, Extension Master Gardeners (EMGs) spend their mornings digging, weeding, pruning, and planting to create natural beauty at Simpson Park Demonstration Garden adjacent to the Alexandria YMCA.
Led by Cindy Robertson and Sandy Johnson, EMGs have presented programs for children for the last several years at the Alexandria Y’s Healthy Kids Day in the spring and Family Fun Day in the fall. Simpson gardeners spend hours dreaming up fun activities to help children of all ages learn about plants and gardening at these two annual events for kids.
“We’ve introduced hundreds of children to gardening over the years,” Johnson said.
Photo © Cindy Robertson
Photo © Marsha Mercer
The Alexandria Y works with many organizations, companies, and donors every year, but it chose Simpson’s Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia as the Alexandria Y’s Community Partner of the Year.
“We couldn’t ask for better partners,” said Nick Dorazio, executive director of the Alexandria Y. “It’s a perfect partnership.”
The Y and Simpson gardeners are a mutual admiration society. Many EMGs are among the Alexandria Y’s 3,000 members, and the groups share values of community, inclusion, and healthy living.
Photo © Marsha Mercer
“Both MGNV and the Y are building and nurturing community,” said Bob Besse, garden co-leader with Charlie Gardner. “They are both dedicated to spiritual wellness and spiritual health– MGNV through horticultural wellness and the Y through physical wellness,” he said.
When Besse asked Dorazio for permission to begin renovating the hell strip of overgrown bushes and plants on Y property between its parking lot and the sidewalk bordering the garden, Dorazio readily agreed.
Led by Besse, Krystyn Moon and Kathy Potter, the crew at Simpson outlined a three-to-five-year plan for renovation, built a handsome stone pathway and began long-overdue pruning. The rejuvenated area is now called The Greenway.
Dorazio urges his staff to walk outside to Simpson on their breaks and “bathe in the nature of it.”
The Y has an open invitation to Simpson gardeners to use the Y’s indoor space for horticultural classes and meetings. It also provides chairs and other items for outdoor use during MGNV events.
Besides Y members who pass by on their way to work out, neighbors come to the garden when they walk their dogs, take their kids to the adjacent playground, or nearby ballfield. They often express their appreciation for the beautiful, quiet space.
“So many stop and say, ‘I’ve taught my child all about plants while walking through this garden,’” said Mary Lou Leary. Among the things that make Simpson special are Denise Dieter’s handmade beautiful wood birdhouses that grace Simpson Garden .
This is the second year the Alexandria Y has given a Community Partner of the Year award. The award last year went to TJ Maxx, which contributed to the Y’s children’s programming.
Simpson Demonstration Garden, located at 426 E. Monroe Ave. and maintained by the Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, won the City of Alexandria’s Community Beautification Award in 2024.
Visit Simpson Garden’s 13 beds to see best practices you can use in your home garden, whether it’s planting for pollinators or for dry areas. Gardeners welcome visitors and are happy to answer questions most Tuesday mornings and every other Sunday spring through fall.
Photo from Denise Dieter