get to know a neighborhood: riverside gardens
Riverside Gardens is a beautiful and quaint community located just off of Fort Hunt Road. Known for its terrific curb appeal, Riverside Gardens is a meticulously maintained neighborhood with regal old trees and lovely landscaping throughout. There are many timeless architectural models to choose from, from the much-desired “Sweetbriar,” a split-level home, to the “Carolina,” a gorgeous center-hall colonial. Prices have gone up in recent years and now range from about $600,000 to $800,000.
The neighborhood has a lot of history. It was once a part of Mount Vernon Estate known as Washington’s River Farm. In the late 19th century, a railway that ran through the area was built to connect Alexandria and Mount Vernon (imagine traveling that distance without a car or the paved GW Parkway!). There also used to be a nearby amusement park and many summer homes along the water. Although the amusement park is no longer there, it is still a fun neighborhood, with sports leagues, nearby children’s theater groups, and more.
A pool and tennis club located at the end of Stable Drive is a great gathering spot for families throughout the warm summer months; on most nights, you can smell the pool grills ablaze! Block parties, ladies’ wine clubs, Halloween parades, Fourth of July festivities, and the like are all commonplace here.
Riverside Gardens is a smaller community than some of the other surrounding neighborhoods. Because of this, most neighbors know each other not only by face but also by name. On any given day, you can see kids playing outside and riding bikes and adults walking their dogs, exercising, or working in their yards. It is just a wonderful, happy community—come see for yourself!
