Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · Apr 10, 2025

PRAB Regular Meeting

Agenda Minutes Read the transcript16 agenda items · 20 tracked topics, 1 in the wiki

Discussed

1
Call to Order · Meeting called to order by Chair Sarah Ross at 7:05 p.m.
2
Adoption of Agenda · Agenda approved.
3
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes · Previous meeting minutes approved.
4
Presentations and Introductions · No presentations or introductions recorded in the minutes.
5
Stakeholder Updates · Stakeholder representatives provided updates on their respective bodies. Amit Hickman (School Board) was absent. No votes taken.
- Urban Forest Master Planin progresswikiThe ESC will review the Urban Forest Master Plan at their next meeting; the plan expects a completed report by end of summer and ranks 25 sites of maintained parkland, non-managed woodlands, and trails.
- NOVA Parksin progressDouglas Stewart reported that Dominion cleared 4 miles of trees along the W&OD Trail in the Vienna-Dunn Loring segment and has plans for the remaining 29 miles; after opposition from local counties Dominion has paused. NOVA Parks is working on a new MOU with Dominion to protect natural resources. He also noted that Executive Director Paul Gilbert will retire in December and a national search firm has been hired.
- Senior CenterChuck Paceley reported an upcoming pickleball tournament in May with cash prizes, bocce season starting May 1st, and a proposed $60/year membership fee requested by City Council and benchmarked against Fairfax County pricing.
- Providence Parkin progressIdentified as one of the parks where invasive plant removal efforts have been focused by the Stewardship Coordinator and Forest Rescuer volunteers.
- Van Dyck Parkin progressIdentified as one of the parks where invasive plant removal efforts have been focused by the Stewardship Coordinator and Forest Rescuer volunteers.
6a
Thaiss Park – Update · Construction is proceeding on schedule, currently focused on utilities and groundwork.
- Thaiss Parkin progressConstruction is proceeding on schedule, with work currently focused on utilities and groundwork.
6b
OTH/OTS – Update · Old Town Hall presentation to City Council has been delayed and is now set for April 22nd. The Old Town Splash Pad is under renovation and expected to be complete before the Asian Festival.
- Old Town Hallin progressPresentation to City Council has been delayed due to budget issues and is now scheduled for April 22nd. Old Town Hall renovation is currently on hold.
- Old Townin progressThe Old Town Splash Pad is under renovation; cannons are being installed next week and the project is expected to be completed before the Asian Festival.
6c
Park Foundation – Update · No update provided.
6d
FY26 Budget – Update · No separate budget update was given; budget concerns were referenced in the context of the OTH delay. No votes taken.
- FY 2026 BudgetapprovedCurrent budget difficulties were cited as the reason for delaying the Old Town Hall presentation to City Council; no dedicated budget update was provided at this meeting.
7a
Summary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation · Board was informed that the Willard Sherwood project may not continue due to staffing and security concerns, with a full presentation to City Council on April 22nd. A motion was passed pausing all work on City trails projects, with a presentation on all trails projects also scheduled for April 22nd.
- Willard Sherwoodin progressThe Willard Sherwood project may not be continuing due to concerns about staffing and building security; a full presentation is scheduled for City Council on April 22nd.
- City trails projectsA motion was passed pausing all work on City trails projects; a presentation on all trails projects is scheduled for City Council on April 22nd.
7b
Joint School Board/PRAB Meeting Agenda · Board discussed the agenda for the joint meeting with the School Board on May 19th at Daniels Run Elementary School. Topics to include fees for school usage, KJM turf project, camp usage, and School Board plans for Green Acres and Westmore School sites.
- KJM Turfin progressKJM Turf project is listed as a discussion topic for the upcoming joint School Board/PRAB meeting in May. KJM Turf project is currently on hold.
- Daniels Run Elementary SchoolapprovedDesignated as the venue for the joint School Board/PRAB meeting on May 19th. Confirmed as the location for the next PRAB meeting (joint with School Board) on May 19th at 6 p.m.
8a
Project Updates · Staff provided updates on Master Plan, Pat Rodio Park, Van Dyck Redevelopment, Old Town Hall renovation, KJM Turf, Splash Pad, and tariff impacts.
- Master Planin progressA statistically significant survey is going out to residents; staff is working with Berry Dunn to facilitate group discussions.
- Pat Rodio Parkin progressBaseball has started using the new fields; dugouts are to be constructed shortly and playground designs are being developed, with a fence required due to relocation out of the flood zone.
- Van Dyck Redevelopmentin progressProposals are being solicited from five identified engineering firms for review and selection.
- TariffsTariffs were noted as a concern that will affect firework pricing for upcoming events.
Old Town Hallin progress KJM Turfin progress
8b
Upcoming Events and Programs · Staff noted upcoming events: Egg Hunt on April 17th, HisTree Day on April 26th, and Spotlight on the Arts in late April through early May.
9
Matters of the Members · No matters recorded in the minutes.
10
Upcoming Meetings · Next meeting: Joint School Board/PRAB meeting on Monday, May 19th at 6 p.m. in the Daniels Run Elementary School library.
Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved
11
Adjournment · Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

Also raised

Brought up outside the numbered agenda, in member comments, reports or public comment.

SPROUT GrantwithdrawnOn April 2nd, the federal SPROUT grant — a $1 million, five-year urban forestry program — was withdrawn by the U.S. Forest Service following a White House Executive Order titled 'Unleashing American Energy,' ending the Stewardship Coordinator position immediately (funded by CIP money through June 30, 2025). Rusty Russell asked PRAB to consider writing a letter of support to continue the position through FY-26.
W&OD Trail tree cuttingDominion cleared 4 miles of trees along the W&OD Trail in the Vienna-Dunn Loring segment and has plans for the remaining 29 miles; after opposition from Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun Counties, Dominion has paused cutting. NOVA Parks is working on a new MOU with Dominion to protect and enhance natural resources along the trail.
The New School Earth Day and Science FestCommunity member Diana Gibson (absent from meeting but update submitted) reported that The New School's Earth Day service activities (trash pick-up and invasive species removal at Wilcoxon Park) were postponed from April 11 to May 16 due to weather, and invited PRAB members to participate in The New School's annual Science Fest on May 27th.

Topics touched · 20

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.
Providence Parkin progress
Providence Park is a City of Fairfax park that has been the subject of several overlapping improvement efforts. As of October 2024, staff began exploring a Vienna contract to resurface its tennis courts, which led to a February 2025 decision to proceed with renovation by American Tennis (PO issued pending weather), while also initiating a process to gather pricing and community feedback on adding pickleball court lining.
- Pricing and community feedback on adding pickleball court lining at Providence Park have been sought but no decision on installation has been recorded.
- Status of the tennis/pickleball court renovation work by American Tennis (issued pending weather in February 2025) has not been confirmed as complete in the record.
Van Dyck Parkin progress
Van Dyck Park is a city park in Fairfax undergoing a multi-phase redevelopment process. The broader redevelopment and master plan design have been subject to repeated scheduling delays: as of late 2024, redevelopment was on hold pending the start of Thaiss Park construction, and by February 2025 the construction start was pushed to FY28 to avoid overlap with the Blenheim Boulevard and Willard Sherwood Center construction projects; the master plan design deadline was subsequently confirmed as FY28 in the FY2026 CIP submission.
- Repair of the tennis court and pickleball court lights — status not confirmed resolved as of October 2025.
- Installation of the replacement preschool climbers and steppers (approved November 2025) — completion not yet confirmed.
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.
Old Town Hallin progress
Old Town Hall is a historic City of Fairfax building undergoing a major renovation that includes window restoration, a full HVAC overhaul, wiring upgrades, conversion to LED lighting, and new bathrooms. The project was originally planned to close and begin construction in February 2025, but experienced a series of delays: the start was pushed first to mid-to-late March 2025, then to April 2025 due to permitting issues, and the City Council presentation on construction approval (originally set for April 1, 2025) was further delayed to April 22, 2025 due to budget issues.
- Substantial completion is targeted for mid-October 2026, but no confirmed opening date has been established — the opening timeline remains pending.
- The specialty window restoration work by an Ohio craftsman is ongoing and has been identified as a schedule risk; its completion date is uncertain.
Old Townin progress
Old Town is a historic district and activity center within the City of Fairfax that has been the subject of multiple overlapping municipal initiatives spanning security, parks infrastructure, parking and circulation, zoning, and small area planning. Beginning in late 2024, the area was included in a security pilot program involving private security guards, cameras, safety lighting, and blue light boxes at parks including Old Town Square.
- What formal action, if any, will City Council take on the potential review and update of the Old Town Small Area Plan?
- What will the final recommendations of the Old Town Circulation Study be, and when will that study be finalized (expected 2027)?
FY 2026 Budgetapproved
The FY 2026 Budget covers the City of Fairfax's general and all sub-fund appropriations, the FY 2026–2030 Capital Improvement Program, and the Schedule of Rates and Levies. Budget development began in fall 2024, with Parks and Recreation enhancements (staffing conversions, City Jobs, Heritage programs) discussed in November 2024.
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.
City trails projects
KJM Turfin progress
The KJM Turf project involves the renovation and turfing of fields associated with KJM Middle School, a effort that has been in development for at least 10 years. As of the May 2025 joint PRAB/School Board meeting, the current plan — developed with consultant Timmons — estimates a total cost of approximately $10 million and encompasses two turf fields, a track, and a paved area, with a projected construction timeline of 16–18 months (potentially shorter if synthetic turf is selected). $6 million in funding has been identified ($4 million already allocated plus $2 million in ARPA funds), leaving a gap of $6–8 million.
- A decision between synthetic turf and natural turf options has not yet been made; selecting one is needed to avoid additional planning costs.
- The School Board has not yet agreed to join the project as a co-partner; their response/commitment is pending.
Daniels Run Elementary Schoolapproved
Daniels Run Elementary School is undergoing a major renovation project in the City of Fairfax. In April 2025, the School Board approved a reallocation of Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds to complete a vestibule project at the school, contingent on FCPS approval for the City to reimburse FCPS for executing the work.
- What design concept will be selected as the direction for the Daniels Run Elementary School renovation?
- What are the outcomes and next steps following the April 15, 2026 community meeting on renovations?
Master Planin progress
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan is an ongoing update to the City of Fairfax's parks master plan, the last version of which was adopted in 2014. Staff engaged consultant Berry Dunn to lead the update process.
- Community survey results for the Parks Master Plan are to be presented to City Council on January 6, 2026 — outcome of that presentation is not yet recorded.
- Staff still needed to meet with consultant Berry Dunn to review the received survey feedback results (as of October 2025).
Pat Rodio Parkin progress
Pat Rodio Park is a municipal park that has been undergoing a playground relocation and broader redevelopment effort. As of October 2024, staff identified that the playground needed to be moved to a new location; by November 2024, a relocation site had been identified and public outreach was planned.
- Completion of the playground redevelopment (expected spring 2026) — status not yet confirmed as complete.
- Construction of dugouts at the new baseball field — described as forthcoming as of April 2025, no subsequent confirmation recorded.
Van Dyck Redevelopmentin progress
The Van Dyck Redevelopment is a funded parks project in the Town of Vienna that has been tracked by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) since at least October 2024. The project was initially placed on hold pending the start of Thaiss Park construction, and by February 2025 its construction start was pushed to FY28 to avoid concurrent work with the Blenheim Boulevard and Willard Sherwood Center projects.
- Selection of an engineering firm from the five solicited proposals (as of April 2025).
- Resolution of the five new engineering items identified in January 2025.
Tariffs
SPROUT Grantwithdrawn
W&OD Trail tree cutting
The New School Earth Day and Science Fest

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Documents · 2

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