PARK NEWS

FIND A PARK

FIND AN ACTIVITY

ADMINISTRATION

Online Services

Our Government

News and Events

Maps, Facts & Stats

State & Federal

 

Great Parks, Great Communities Mount Vernon Planning District: Existing Conditions Summary Demographic Data Parkland Park Resources Interactive Map Listening Forum Mount Vernon Demographic Data   Mt. Vernon Fairfax County District Rank Total Population     1980 Population     79,533 596,901 1 of 14 2005 Population (Forecast)     91,555 1,041,242 4 of 14 2004 Population Density 7.5 4.5 per acre 4 of 14 Median Market Housing Value $296,582 $349,000 12 of 14 Housing Units 2005 (Forecast) 37,687 384,683 4 of 14 Nonresidential Structure Gross Floor Area 2004 9,186,395 229,527,736 10 of 14 2000 Households (HH) 35,089 348,714 4 of 14 w/o Children     71% 63% 12 of 14 w Children under 18     29% 37% 2 of 14 Total Population in 2000 86,944 969,749 4 of 14 White     62.0% 69.9% 10 of 14 Black     21.0% 8.6% 3 of 14 Asian & Pacific Islander     6 13.1% 13 of 14 Other or Two or More     11 8.5% 4 of 14 Hispanic (can be of any race)     14 11.0% 4 of 14 Supervisory District(s): Lee, Mount Vernon Workshop Summary: Lee District Workshop Summary: Mount Vernon Maintenance Area(s): 3, 4 Watersheds: Belle Haven, Cameron Run, Dogue Creek, Four Mile Run, and Little Hunting Creek Major Trails and other connections: Mount Vernon Regional Bike Trail Download Complete Existing Conditions Report: Mount Vernon Planning District We Want to Hear from You! The Great Parks, Great Communities planning initiative provides an opportunity for each community to help the Park Authority examine how our park system, facilities and services are balanced at the local level. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and ideas. Share your thoughts on BUILDING THE PARK SYSTEM Share your thoughts on RECREATION Share your thoughts on NATURAL RESOURCES Share your thoughts on CULTURAL RESOURCES Share your thought on parks in general Join E-Mail List Parkland Data Total District Acreage: 11,982 Total Public Parkland Acreage: 598 Percentage of Parkland: 5.5% Number of Parks: 40 Major Private Providers: Mount Vernon, Woodlawn, National Park Srvice Parks Significant Recreation Resources Significant Natural Resources Significant Cultural Resources Fort Willard     Mount Vernon Recenter     George Washington Recenter     Grist Mill     The Listening Forums provide a chance for residents and park service users to speak face-to-face with Park Authority Director John Dargle, Jr. on the park topics of their choice. If you were unable to attend the Listening Forum in your area, you may provide comment via our online form. 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.