SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSES SOUTH COUNTY LISTENING FORUM: OCTOBER 2009

Fairfax County Park Authority Director John Dargle welcomed the constituents from South County to Laurel Hill Golf Club. He noted his having listening forums around the county. This is an effort to hear from the community about the parks, what we do well, what we can do better. This is the seventh listening forum having started in March in Dranesville. The conversations from the forums are on the web under Great Parks, Great Communities. Citizens can check on what issues have come up and what has been done.

The Director offered some facts about the Fairfax County Park system:

How many parks are in Fairfax County park system?  416
How many playgrounds? 250
How many RECenters?  Nine
How many golf courses?  Eight
How many synthetic turn fields? 22 (And increasing regularly)

A quick budget overview reminded attendees that we have two primary sources of money: the General Fund which is money from taxes that maintains the parks, and the Revenue Fund which is the money from fees, memberships and other charges.

Mount Vernon District Supervisor Gerry Hyland and staff member Marcia Hanson attended the meeting.

ISSUE: Communication

• A recurring issue in the South County area has been the call for better communications between the citizens and planners. The citizens expressed concern that there seemed to be secrecy in discussions especially in subject of the landfill and sportsplex. The planning between DPW and FCPA seems covert.
• It was suggested that a liaison from different parts of the community should be at the table. South County citizens are very engaged representing all aspects of the community including the Chamber, civic associations, and the Federation. They got their new high school built ahead of schedule, will get the middle school built.
• This doesn't have to be negative experience. There is a lot of fact finding that has to be done before the community comes to the table. No decisions have been made.

ISSUE: Land swap

• The land swap between the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Public Schools was finalized. The parcel of land next to the high school owned by the Park Authority to build a middle school was traded for an adjacent piece of land on which ball fields could be constructed some time in the future. The county will bond for the middle school, but the Park Authority doesn't have money to develop its land. The FCPA and FCPS have agreed to share the infrastructure. There is no timeline for the park land. There will be a master plan process into which the community will have input. All decisions will be open to negotiation.

ISSUE: Trails

• A representative of MORE who was involved in the original building of the cross county trails expressed appreciation for all the work that has been accomplished. However, he advocated for more night trails. So far Wakefield is the only place you van ride at night. There are so many perfect areas in South County and bikers hope it will be allowed. Night riders have bright lights on their helmets and bikes.
• New trails were discussed in addition to the new trails that were recently opened. They will be looked into.
• A ten year old trail erosion problem was brought up. Hoping to have a FCPA person to walk the trail to analyze the solutions. The asphalt company looked at it. When the South Run Stream Valley Park trail was built, one-third of a mile couldn't be completed when the funds ran out. Ten years later it is still not paved and in very bad shape.
• Better and more communication will help. So many parks, some old, some new. With money seeming to go for new parks, we have to remember the old parks. Building on good relationships with the Board of Supervisors and Planning Commission.

Issue: Washington Rochambeau Revolutionary Route

• Mason Neck West at Old Colchester Road which is part of the National Historic Trail.
• The information needed to get federal funding was donated totally from the design, graphics, everything. How will FCPA use the free information? A FOIA request was made at the meeting.
• VDOT was working with Karen Lindquist. Maybe the group wasn't doing things correctly. There is a lot of knowledge in the South County area. It was mentioned that Robert Kelly was speaking on November 7 and he would have a wealth of information.
• Communication was pointed to once again as the best way of resolving differences.
• There is no funding and the present five year plan will be extended to 2012. It is not always a five year cycle and right now the prices are good, we can get more done and projects have been moved up.

ISSUE: CCT (Cross County Trails)

• The Trails are great at the north end of county but dissipate at the south end. To get to Occoquan Regional Park you must use Rt.123. Lorton has obligated $50,000 to trail but the trail picks up out of nowhere and ends in the middle of no where behind the workhouse. A 20% local match is needed. Look at the trail from Silverbrook Rd. south to the bridge by the golf course. All kinds of debris are lying across it.

ISSUE: Parkland or not parkland?

• A parcel of land thought to be parkland that houses are being built on. Van Metre is building.  Southgate Townhouse Community built in 1972 donated an acre of open land between Pohick Rd. and Telegraph Rd to FCPA in 1978 and has cared for it ever since. In 1996 anther townhouse community was built and created a multi use area that backed to the one acre open field. The multi use area became a problem and the basketball hoops, tot lot and all were removed. It is not maintained and has fallen into disrepair.  It needs a solution. Hopefully to go back to natural state.
• The tree line between Pohick Estates Park and Southgate Townhouses is totally overgrown and encroaching on Southgate's property. Can't get the FCPA to trim them.
• A path connecting the two properties was promised and never done.

ISSUE: Orienteering

• Not allowed at Riverbend. Would like to know why. Also have ability to use land at Laurel Hill.

• The question was asked by two residents about orienteering. Why does the Park Authority offer orienteering classes at Riverbend Park and Lake Fairfax Park but prohibit orienteering at those and other Park Authority sites?

  Although orienteering classes have been advertised in ParkTakes and elsewhere, low enrollment has forced these classes be cancelled for the last several seasons. On occasion, we will offer training to scout groups to complete a badge, as part of a summer camp or skills class with map and compass, but other than that we are not currently teaching any classes.

  We have three orienteering course complexes that are open to the public, one at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (ECLP) is more novice level and but the courses at Hidden Pond and at Burke Lake Park are more advanced. Each site includes elements where a person could teach themselves the principles of orienteering. Individuals are welcome to use these courses without special permit. On occasion, we may set up or approve specialty courses, for example we had a course set up for Cross County Trail Day near Colvin Run Mill. Orienteering as a sport has many healthy principles that support the mission of the Park Authority.

  Because of the sensitive nature of the natural areas, we cannot authorize orienteering of any kind at Riverbend. Lake Accotink is potentially an option for orienteering competitions under certain conditions.

  Orienteering competitions vs. small group orienteering are more difficult to accommodate. We have worked with several groups on many different attempts to try to find a compromise which would allow an orienteering competition in one of our large natural areas. Unfortunately, some of the basic principles of orienteering competitions directly conflict with best management practices for natural areas. In Fairfax County, our natural areas are under stress from many factors, and orienteering, as well as other off trail activities for large groups of people, are one stress that we can eliminate. We have selected two parks, Lake Accotink and Lake Fairfax as potentially suitable for a large event, but again, we have many restrictions, and would need to work with the event hosts to ensure that no long-term damage is done to the park resource. For more information visit: Organized Activities in Natural Areas on Parkland

  We also have geoaching opportunities in some of our parks.

ISSUE: New Friends group

• The Friends of Archeology and Preservation is a new Friends organization. Along with the History Commission they are sponsoring a seminar on 16th Century Virginia. Fascinating information about events that took place exactly at the spot where Laurel Hill is located.

OTHER ISSUES:

• Extended hours at RECenters
• Fees go up but never come down
• Another 15% cut from General Funds with a list for 25% cuts
• Everyone is impacted by cuts differently
• Will work with Friends groups, Athletic Council, CRS to evaluate impact and present to Park Authority Board. The list will be published after that.
• There will be a budget link on November 14 to show all the input.

SUMMARY OF COMMENTS AND RESPONSES MT. VERNON DISTRICT LISTENING FORUM: SEPTEMBER 2009

The Director said that he had his year anniversary of being at the Park Authority and has been out to listen, get feedback, and address the work plan and follow-up with park constituents. The information has been placed on the website so the community can follow up on the progress. At the end of the cycle of forums the Park Authority Board will receive an update and actions will be taken to better serve the community.

Huntley Meadows is a wonderful place all through the year. The Director said he was last here in mid-winter when it was quite different but equally beautiful.

ISSUE: Budget issues

• The Park Authority is out in the community talking to people about budget.
• Important to communicate, explain, and accept responsibility.
• Important to be transparent. Director will hear the issues, work with staff and hold them accountable to follow up.

ISSUE: Land use in Lee District

• A citizen has concerns for his grandchildren and appreciates opportunity to talk about his concerns. He noted strong interest in natural resources, wrote for years about distribution of assets, job slots taken from one category and given to another.
• He reported that the Environmental Quality Advisory Council is concerned that parks need more support. With cutback in program funding, invasives and erosion are addressed too slowly.

• Director addressed these comments noting that these issues are being worked on with resources we have from the tax supported general fund and money earned through fees from RECenters, golf, and the like. The Park Authority has a dual mission, stewardship and resource management protection as well as provision of recreational opportunities.

ISSUE: Zoning and land transfers

• On the issue of land acquisition, the Director noted the county isn't turning land down. The Park Authority has careful criteria and we need to take care of it, accessibility and connectivity must be considered, clean up and title of land. Not familiar with parcel called La Belle.   Marcus Wadsworth from Supervisor McKay's office who handles parks and trails will look into it also.

ISSUE: Conservation mission of FCPA, commitment to 10% open space

• Director Dargle commented on the importance of open space stating, "Open space won't generate funds, but it's important to the quality of life. We are committed to preservation, protection, green space no matter if we own it or whoever owns it. Conserving, preserving, protecting is in our Strategic Plan. Ten percent of county land for parks was Representative (then Chairman) Connolly's goal.

• Director Dargle added, "How we can fund natural capital program like capital improvement programs? Look to bonds to continue that. We have natural resource and cultural resource countywide management plans. Our philosophy, like yours, is to protect and conserve.

• We have to be considered "things you can't cut" like police and fire. We can't let the carbon footprint increase. Energy conservation in place: limited mowing, leaving meadows to grow. These preserve and protect.

ISSUE: Who communicates this message to the Board of Supervisors

• All of us do.  We have a marketing communication plan. Compare us to police and fire. Important that people know we have 20 million visits in a year. Parks are important to the citizens. With citizen support and friends the message will get out.  However, the BOS is in a tough position managing expectations and priorities.
• We have five funds and we will see better days. We do have some flexibility between funds.

ISSUE: Loss of Positions within FCPA

• There was great concern about the loss of positions, with a particular concern about spots in the Resource Management Division (RMD).  The Director responded, "We are lucky to have found ways to keep people with a $650 million deficit last year and $350 million this year. On top of that, a $500,000 reduction in our general fund budget was just announced. The goal is to protect and keep positions because if you give them up, you don't get them back. We had to take the risk of taking site positions to fill vacant positions at headquarters. We'll evaluate the impact of the loss of those positions, move people around and discuss reorganization plan with the County Executive. It might appear that we are heavy at headquarters and not at RMD sites, but understand that headquarters had to absorb a lot, do double duty in many areas. We did not want to put people out on the street. We analyze the effect on customers, services and programs. We need to protect people and plan for the future. With capacity for growth, rising costs, we can't equalize. We must look at everything carefully. Next year we expect another reduction. Our goal was to take care of people and that's not always a perfect fit."

ISSUE: Can volunteers do what a full time person can? What future cuts?

• It was noted that there are parallel processes going on; the consolidation of CRS, Department of Systems Management with FCPA.  Middle management study to eliminate positions and reductions in general fund mean significant reduction in funding for staffing. The Director thanked the community for over 200,000 hours of volunteer service. That is information which needs to be promoted.

ISSUE: EQAC environment awards

• The Park Authority was urged to apply for the EQAC Awards program.  

ISSUE: Revisit fees

• General discussion regarding raising revenues ensued.  Some ideas that were brought up included: possible parking fees, an assessment of duplicate efforts between FCPA and Regional Park Authority, public/private partnerships, identify grant dollars that support natural resources, museums and environmental education.

ISSUE:  Reclassified a stream on Old Telegraph Road

• Marcus Wadsworth from Supervisor McKay's Office will find out if development is scheduled and where exactly the property is.
• Look at the strategic plan which is the 2006-2010 in use now. A new plan is scheduled for next July due to the FY 2010 cuts. The present plan is to be extended until we can develop the next five year plan.

ISSUE: Long history between Lee District and FCPA

• Working with PAB member with fundraising, Park Foundation projects, special fundraising abilities needed.
• Look to future in redevelopment of Springfield Mall and hope for more ball fields, especially a synthetic turf field. CRS collects $5.50 per child per session. This money is used for maintenance along with general fund money from the BOS.
• There is a wealth of information on the web including Park Foundation information.

ISSUE: Green Corridor

• Interest in the land near Bull Run. Last undeveloped land.

ISSUE: Frying Pan Farm animals

• There was concern about Frying Pan Farm Park working without a night watchman. It was stated that the Friends groups will step up. However, for 60 years the animals have been there. The house rental combines responsibility to check on animals. Staff believes that the farm is safe at night.

Appreciation was expressed to the Director from the citizens and to the citizens from the Director and staff. The listening forums are new ideas, never done before and greatly valued by the community and staff. The Director reminded the citizen participants that he wants to be kept accountable.