County Parks and Rec Master Plan Available for Review, Comment

by RestonNow.com — August 28, 2017 at 2:45 pm 4 Comments

The Fairfax County Park Authority has released the draft version of its latest Parks & Recreation System Master Plan and is inviting the public to give its feedback.

The park system master planning process was first initiated with the 1993 Recreation Demand Study. The plan has been revised several times over the years, most recently in 2011.

According to the Park Authority website, the revisions to the 2011 plan were deemed necessary because a “revision is undertaken when the park system or its surrounding community have notably changed. This is the case with the Fairfax County park system.”

The Park Authority says “[m]any of the strategies detailed in the 2011 plan have been completed despite funding challenges” and “[a]dditional improvements or system changes have also been made where possible in order to address emerging community needs.”

Principles in the “Great Parks, Great Communities” plan include to inspire a passion for parks, meet changing recreation needs, advance park system excellence, strengthen and foster partnerships; be equitable and inclusive; be great stewards; and promote healthy lifestyles.

The goals include to improve and promote natural resource protection and management; ensure protection, conservation, preservation and interpretation of cultural resources; improve access and opportunities for healthy and active lifestyles; enhance and maintain park system quality and condition; advance as an innovative, responsive and adaptable organization; and provide sustainable financial management to advance the Park Authority mission.

Residents are encouraged to read over the plan and submit comments by email to [email protected], the comment box on the Park Authority website during a public input meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at Green Springs Gardens (4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria).

Comments can be submitted through Sept. 22.

Graphic via Fairfax County Park Authority

Donald

It’s a very nice fluffy high level document. Did a consulting firm do this?

Donald
- RestonAssurance
  
  I’m curious myself as it says it’s a Fairfax County publication with a list of contributors.
Terry Maynard

This draft parks plan is notable for its failure to address in any meaningful way the urban redevelopment of 22 designated areas in the County, including Reston’s station areas, of course. I have already sent an e-mail to ParkMail (the designated focal point for comments on the draft park plan) noting that the plan must be linked to the County policy regarding urban parks (which dictates many park space and facility additions in Reston TSAs ignored in the Reston Master Plan).

I also find it interesting that this article quotes the draft plan, “revision is undertaken when the park system or its surrounding community have notably changed.” Hadn’t caught that earlier. That’s not planning; that’s reacting. It’s planning for the past. This plan should be based on what the County foresees (as incorporated in the Comprehensive Plan) is the evolution of all our communities and their evolving park needs.

Really inadequate draft plan. I urge you to please take the time to review the draft plan and comment yourself. It will certainly be important to Reston’s future.
- Donald
  
  It’s as if the County’s Parks and Recreation team is totally oblivious to the specific needs and requirements laid out by its County counterparts. Especially Reston’s.
  
  Talk about silos. The next consultant they hire should focus them, reaching across all county orgs, their functions, their directives as well as the community. This “master plan” was put together in a vacuum, almost plagiarizing so many municipal high level strategic plans available on the internet.
  
  Must have been I nice offsite meeting.
  
  Donald

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