Winkler Botanical Preserve is one of those little treasures those of us who live in urban areas like to find. Tucked off a busy I-395 you enter a 44 acre preserve containing wildflower meadows, meandering paths, streams and ponds. Though you can hear traffic sounds faintly in the distance you feel as though you are far away from it all.
The park was established in 1980 by the Winkler family and unlike most of the parks in the Northern Virginia area is managed by a private, non profit organization. The mission of Winkler Botanical Preserve is to provide education on the native environment for students in the Alexandria City Public Schools. Alexandria City public school children from 13 elementary schools and 2 middle schools regularly make trips to the park during the school year and for summer programs.
The park contains trees, plants and flowers indigenous to the Potomac River Valley and is a natural habitat for butterflies, bees, birds and dragon flies to name a few. Walking on the mile of marked trails isn't strenuous making it nice for all age groups.
To get to the park take I-395 to exit 4 Seminary Road. Head West for approx. 0.2 miles. At second traffic light, turn left onto Beauregard St. North. Proceed for 0.9 miles. Turn left on Roanoke Ave (side street). Follow for 0.1 mile into preserve's parking lot
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