PARK NEWS

FIND A PARK

FIND AN ACTIVITY

ADMINISTRATION

State & Federal

homepage > park authority > planning and development:

Master Plan Revision Process for McLean Central Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority has prepared a Draft Master Plan Revision for McLean Central Park Park, located at 1468 Dolley Madison Boulevard in McLean. The Park Authority will present the Draft Master Plan Revision to the community at a public meeting on Monday, June 10, 2013 from 7:00 P.M. until 8:30 P.M., in the McLean Community Center located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. The public is also invited to review and provide input on the draft plan via e-mail to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov

The public park master planning process began last fall with research by the master plan team and input from the community. Suggestions received from the public were evaluated in balance with the site’s characteristics in development of the Draft Park Master Plan Revision.

The June 10th meeting will feature a presentation about the site’s current conditions and the proposed future uses. Following the presentation, a moderated public comment session will provide an opportunity to comment on the draft park proposal. Interested individuals and organizations are urged to attend this public meeting to present their views. If you would like to speak at the public input meeting or would like more information, please call Judy Pedersen, Public Information Officer for the Park Authority at 703-324-8662 or email her at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov . Speakers may also sign up at the meeting. For reasonable ADA accommodations, please contact 703-324-8563 at least 10 working days in advance of the meeting. Comments on the plan may be provided to the Park Authority for 30 days after the meeting by e-mail, mail or phone. The public comment period will close on Friday, July 12, 2013.

The Park Site

The property, which is located at the intersection of Old Dominion Drive and Dolley Madison Boulevard, is a well-established landmark in the heart of McLean. Since the Park Authority’s initial land acquisition in 1965, McLean Central Park has offered area residents a place to stroll among the trees, open lawns, and along Dead Run Stream. Tennis courts, a basketball court, disc golf course, and two playgrounds help to serve the active recreational needs of the community. Civic and arts programs add community vibrancy to the park. The park trail network provides connectivity from the park to adjacent neighborhoods and strengthens the relationship between the park and the Dolley Madison Library and the McLean Community Center located adjacent to the park.

A master plan was first developed for this park in 1979, establishing the initial vision for this park. In June 2000, the Park Authority Board approved a revision to the 1979 master plan to address the significant growth of the McLean area as well as the planned expansion of the Dolley Madison Library. The 2000 master plan included changes to enhance partnering with the library, provide an additional tot lot and landscaping as well as the inclusion of the signature pavilion.

Subsequent to the approval of the 2000 master plan revision, the Park Authority has acquired approximately two and a half additional acres along Ingleside Avenue. This plan revision will re-examine the integrity of the current master plan as well as envision how these new parcels can be integrated into the overall plan for McLean Central Park.

The Park Planning Process

The Park Authority’s master plan revision process is designed to reconsider park uses and community needs for a specific park and to optimize management of the site's resources. The master plan revision process for McLean Central Park will seek to identify the most appropriate use of the recently acquired property while enhancing the connections between the park, Dolley Madison Library, McLean Community Center, and the McLean community. Public input is a key element in this process. All information, opinions and alternatives will be evaluated in determining the best possible option for development of this parkland in preparation of a Draft Master Plan. More information on the Park Master Plan process can be found by visiting the Park Planning and Development homepage.

To provide comments throughout the planning process or for further information on the McLean Central Park Master Plan Revision, contact Gayle Hooper, Project Manager, Park Planning Branch, Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 703-324-8725 or through parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Future Park

Although this master plan revision is expected to be completed by late summer of 2013, no funding is currently identified for any new development on this property. Site design, engineering, construction timing, and funding are determined by the Park Authority Board through adoption of a Park Capital Improvement Program and voter approval of Park Bond Referendums. In some cases, alternative funding sources may become available to provide park improvements. Approval of a master plan revision for McLean Central Park is a critical step, though, in allowing the Park Authority to identify funding sources appropriate to the planned park development.