Park Authority Initiates Salona Park Master Plan Process

Salona Park Master Plan Process

02/04/10 Meeting Summary
02/04/10 Meeting Presentation
Cultural Landscape Report
Conservation Easement

Park Authority Initiates
Salona Park Master Plan Process

The Fairfax County Park Authority has initiated a public master planning process for Salona Park, located at 1235 Dolley Madison Boulevard, in McLean. Please refer to the accompanying location and context maps. To start this park planning process, a public information meeting was held on Thursday, February 4, 2010. This meeting featured a presentation about the site's current conditions, potential future uses, and the park master planning process. A public input session was included in the meeting to identify community concerns and suggestions for future park features.

Using site data and public input from the meeting, a draft Master Plan will be created. The Salona Park master planning process will focus on providing a balance between recreational opportunities, resource stewardship, and resource interpretation. This draft will be presented for public review and comment at a public hearing comment meeting anticipated to be held the summer of 2010.

The Park Site

Salona is a privately owned 51-acre historic property with significant natural and cultural features in the Dranesville Supervisory District. The Park Authority holds a perpetual easement on a 41-acre portion of the property, which permits a variety of park uses. This easement was acquired in 2005, followed by the completion of a Cultural Landscape Report that will help inform the planning process.

The Park Planning Process

The Salona Park Master Plan will seek to provide a balance between recreation, resource protection, and resource interpretation, as well as address issues identified by the public related to master planning this park. This process will take into account public access, legal constraints imposed by the conservation easement, site assets, and constraints while evaluating alternatives to determine the best possible option.

Once the draft master plan is completed, it will be presented for comment to the community at a public input comment meeting, which is anticipated to be held in the spring of 2010. 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 Salona park master plan, contact Andy Galusha, Project Manager, Park Planning Branch, Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 703-324-8755 or through parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Future Park

Although park planning should be complete in 2010, no funding is available for implementation or development at Salona Park. 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.