The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved the award of $15,763 in grant funding to help furnish and install central HVAC service in the Historic Forestville Schoolhouse located within Great Falls Grange Park in the Dranesville District. The applicant, Great Falls Grange Foundation, is contributing matching funds to fulfill the required project budget of $31,526. Funds were awarded as part of the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant program.

The Forestville Schoolhouse, originally constructed in 1890, is leased by the Great Falls Grange Foundation under an agreement with the Park Authority. The building serves as a community center and rentable space for meetings, classes and private events. Lack of air conditioning has made the schoolhouse difficult to utilize between May and September as the weather warms up.

After significant review, the installation of a central heating, ventilation and air conditioning system will have the most favorable aesthetic impact to the historic schoolhouse. The project will include the installation of central HVAC equipment and the removal of heat strips and replacing them with wood baseboards to match the style already in the schoolhouse. Work is expected to be completed by spring 2024.

The Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program encourages public-private ventures that improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. It is designed to fill a gap between limited bond funding and the community’s desire for new or improved park facilities by assisting volunteer, community and user groups in improving park facilities by matching funds and in-kind services.

Since 1999, the program has awarded approximately $2.1 million in grants for projects valued at more than $15.8 million. Grants ranging from a few hundred dollars to the maximum of $20,000 have funded such projects as trail improvements, construction of gazebos and shelters and athletic field improvements.

For more information or to apply for a matching grant, visit the Mastenbrook Grants website.