Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · Jan 8, 2026

PRAB Regular Meeting

Agenda Minutes Read the transcript13 agenda items · 12 tracked topics, 1 in the wiki

Discussed

1
Call to Order · Meeting called to order by Chair Sarah Ross at 7:00 p.m.
2
Adoption of Agenda
3
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
4
Presentations and Introductions · No presentations or introductions recorded.
5
Stakeholder Updates · Representatives from Commission on the Arts, Environmental Sustainability Committee, NOVA Parks, Planning Commission, School Board, and Senior Center provided updates. Student representative and community members had no updates.
- Urban Forest Master Planin progresswikiRusty Russell reported that the Urban Forest Master Plan is soon to be reviewed and approved by City Council by the end of the month.
- NOVA Parksin progressDouglas Stewart reported that NOVA Parks' three holiday lights shows attracted more than 200,000 visitors and that NOVA Parks is working with Dominion Energy on an updated MOU for tree management on the W&OD Trail.
- Senior CenterChuck Paceley reported on a possible joint PRAB and Senior Council meeting in March to discuss the future of Green Acres, an upcoming pickleball tournament in May, a 50/50 raffle that raised over $300, and a Craft and Vendor Fair on April 11th.
6a
Thaiss Park – Update · Completion renegotiated to April due to asphalt seasonal production and other reasons. Sod installed on fields, playground installed, adult exercise equipment delivered. Project remains on budget.
- Thaiss Parkin progressCompletion has been renegotiated to April; sod has been installed, the playground is in place, adult exercise equipment has been delivered, and the project remains on budget.
6b
Parks Foundation · First Parks Foundation meeting in December went well; a second meeting is upcoming to finalize remaining organizational/structuring votes. Nicolas and Amelia are tasked with finding a bank. Mini Art Machine moved to Weber's Pet Supermarket; two new machines purchased for permanent installation at Sherwood Center and Historic Blenheim.
- Parks Foundationin progressThe first meeting was held in December and went well; a second meeting is scheduled to complete remaining votes on organizational/structuring items before the foundation becomes official.
- Sherwood Community CenterapprovedA new Mini Art Machine has been purchased for permanent installation at the Sherwood Center.
- Historic BlenheimA new Mini Art Machine has been purchased for permanent installation at Historic Blenheim.
7a
Summary of recent Council meeting actions pertaining to Parks and Recreation · A consultant from Berry-Dunn presented to Council on 1/6 to discuss Council concerns relating to Willard-Sherwood.
- Willard Sherwoodin progressA consultant from Berry-Dunn came to the Council meeting on January 6th to discuss Council concerns relating to Willard-Sherwood.
7b
Semiquincentennial Celebration · Planning underway for the City's 250th anniversary celebration. A logo was developed by Katie MacCammon for branding across special events. Banner flags, pins, stickers, signs, and chocolate coins featuring the logo are in the works.
- Semiquincentennial CelebrationKatie MacCammon developed a logo for the City's 250th anniversary celebration; branding will be integrated into special events, and merchandise including banner flags, pins, stickers, signs, and chocolate coins are in production.
8
Parks and Recreation Department Report · Department reported on the upcoming Chocolate Lover's Festival volunteer need, new playground equipment at Van Dyck (ready 1/10), permanent fence and temporary ADA ramp at Pat Rodio (permanent ramp and shade structures planned for Spring), new playground equipment arriving at Kutner Park within a month, MLK statue returning to City Hall on January 14th, over 60 applications received for Cultural Arts Manager position, and Parks Supervisor position opening February 1st.
- Kutner Parkin progressNew playground equipment is expected to arrive at Kutner Park within the next month.
- City HallThe MLK statue will return to City Hall on January 14th and remain through February.
9
Matters of the Members · Rusty Russell noted that this year marks the 40th anniversary of Fairfax becoming Tree City USA certified, and that Arbor Day will likely be a more momentous occasion than in previous years.
- Arbor DayRusty Russell noted this Arbor Day marks the 40th anniversary of Fairfax's Tree City USA certification and is expected to be a more significant celebration than in prior years.
10
Upcoming Meetings · Next meeting: Thursday, February 12 at 7pm at City Hall, Work Session Room.
11
Adjournment · Meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

Topics touched · 12

Urban Forest Master Planin progress
The Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) is the City of Fairfax's first 20-year roadmap for stewardship of its urban forest, developed with consultant Marstel-Day. Development began in May 2024; Phase 1 (information gathering) was completed and Phase 2 (plan development) was nearing completion as of December 2025.
- Annual reporting on the UFMP's key performance indicators and one-year plan strategy metrics is planned via a State of the Urban Forest report; timing and format of first such report is not yet…
- A natural areas assessment of city-owned and potentially conserved areas is underway as a 2026 action; a canopy coverage goal is anticipated to be set in the 5–10 year phase once a baseline is…
This meeting in the wiki Overview
NOVA Parksin progress
NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority) is a regional parks authority that manages facilities and trails serving the City of Fairfax and surrounding jurisdictions, including the 44-mile W&OD Trail, Meadowlark Gardens, Bull Run Regional Park, Gateway Park, and other sites. The NOVA Parks liaison to the City's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) is Douglas Stewart, who provides regular stakeholder updates.
- Gateway Park restoration contract award and groundbreaking: contract was nearly ready to be awarded as of March 2026; construction was targeted for summer 2026 — current status of contract award and…
- W&OD Trail Visitors' Center in Vienna (125 Church St): plans announced but dependent on state budget funding — funding status remains unresolved.
Senior Center
The Fairfax City Young at Heart Senior Center, currently located at Green Acres Center (a repurposed 1961 school building), is a membership-based senior activity hub offering programs including pickleball, bocce, bus trips, craft markets, holiday events, and fitness activities. Chuck Paceley has served as the regular PRAB stakeholder liaison for the Senior Center throughout this period.
- Outcome and full implications of the April 28, 2026 City Council vote on the Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center for the Senior Center's future at Green Acres.
- A proposed $60/year membership fee (benchmarked against Fairfax County pricing, raised at the April 2025 PRAB meeting) — whether it was adopted or rejected.
Thaiss Parkin progress
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing full redevelopment, including new ballfields, a playground, adult exercise equipment, a clubhouse building, and related infrastructure. The City Council approved a $7,725,650 construction contract with Bright Masonry, Inc. on October 8, 2024, and the project was fully funded.
- The main contractor (Bright Construction) has fired all staff and deleted its website as of July 2026 — the project is on hold pending clarification on how construction will proceed.
- An ARPA funds deadline is looming; it is unresolved whether the project will meet it given the contractor situation.
Parks Foundationin progress
The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a nonprofit entity created to raise private funds and accept donations (including bequests) to support parks projects in the City of Fairfax. Its formation involved an extended bylaw revision process: in October 2024, PRAB agreed to a 60% board residency requirement and revised the director appointment process so that PRAB nominates directors and City Council approves.
- Whether the approximately $470,000 Legacy for Fairfax fund transfer to the Parks Foundation bank account was completed as planned on July 1, 2026 (no confirmation recorded after June 2026).
- Status of the naming rights policy: no recorded outcome confirming City Council adoption after PRAB's edits were incorporated in July 2026.
Sherwood Community Centerapproved
The Sherwood Community Center (formally the Willard Sherwood Health & Community Center / WSHCC) is a joint City of Fairfax and Fairfax County redevelopment project, with costs split 42% City and 58% County. As of the November 2024 PRAB update, the project was between the zoning and permit steps, with construction slated to begin Q1 2026 and wrap up Q4 2028.
- Whether the Performing Arts addition to the existing Sherwood Center will receive the additional $4 million needed in the CIP to be funded.
- Whether the HVAC replacement at the existing Sherwood Center will be funded, including the potential use of Parks Foundation Legacy for Fairfax funds earmarked for Sherwood maintenance.
Historic Blenheim
Historic Blenheim, located at 3610 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030, is one of three public historic sites stewarded by the City of Fairfax — alongside the Fairfax Museum and Visitor Center and the Ratcliffe-Allison-Poser House. It serves as an active venue for city events, programs, and meetings.
Willard Sherwoodin progress
The Willard Sherwood Health and Community Center (WSHCC) is a proposed health and community center project in the City of Fairfax, closely associated with senior services and intended to replace or supplement the aging Green Acres facility. The project faced an early setback in April 2025 when PRAB was informed it might not continue due to staffing and security concerns, with all trails-related work paused pending a City Council presentation on April 22, 2025.
- Construction is scheduled to begin Q2 2026 per the November 2025 update — the current construction start status and timeline should be confirmed against more recent records.
- How the Green Acres site will be handled in light of the Willard Sherwood project (including potential comp plan updates) remains an open question raised in a May 2026 Planning Commission discussion.
Semiquincentennial Celebration
Kutner Parkin progress
Kutner Park is a City of Fairfax park located near a middle school and adjacent to Accotink Creek. Two parallel improvement efforts are underway.
- Whether the new playground equipment has been installed (last reported as arriving within a month as of January 2026, with no confirmed installation on record).
- Current status and timeline of the Friends of Accotink Creek vernal pool expansion project, which was reported as proceeding with a plan as of June 2026 but has no recorded completion or approval…
City Hall
Fairfax City Hall (10455 Armstrong Street, Fairfax, VA) is the primary civic building serving as the routine venue for a wide range of municipal meetings, closed sessions, receptions, and public functions across multiple boards, commissions, and the City Council. Its named spaces include Council Chambers, Work Session Room 111, the Atrium, Judge's Chambers, City Manager Conference Room, Sisson House, and Council Executive Room 100 (in the City Hall Annex).
- Installation of 20 EV charging stations at City Hall and Sherwood Community Center: current completion status is not recorded in the material.
- Revised EV charging station fee structure: Council reached consensus in February 2026 to adopt it as part of the city budget rates and levies, but no formal vote or final budget adoption confirming…
Arbor Day
Arbor Day is an annual tree-planting and environmental celebration organized in the City of Fairfax, coordinated largely through the Environmental Sustainability Committee (ESC). In October 2024, the event was held on October 26 at Kutner Park.

“This meeting in the wiki” opens the topic’s history at this date.

Documents · 2

Filed in agenda order; the agenda names the item each belongs to.