The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved the award of $20,000 in grant funding to help fund the renovation of a playground at McLean Central Park located within the Dranesville District. Funds were awarded through the Park Authority’s Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program. The applicant, The McLean Central Playground Team, is contributing $246,670 in raised community contributions to the project.
The McLean Central Park’s school-aged playground was installed in 1998 and is due for replacement. Currently, the school-aged playground and tot lot are located in separate areas of the park. The McLean Central Playground Team has been partnering with the Park Authority on plans to combine the two playgrounds into one centrally located area within the park. The new playground equipment will feature elements that support sensory play, adaptive tandem swings and other design features that promote connections and accessibility for all ages and abilities.
The total cost for the project is estimated at $442,609. In addition to the contributions from the McLean Central Playground Team and the $20,000 in grant funding, the Park Authority will be providing the remaining $175,939, which was originally allocated for the renovation of the school-aged playground alone. Work is projected to be completed by winter of 2024 to 2025.
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 $16.3 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.