Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · Jan 9, 2025

PRAB Regular Meeting

Agenda Minutes Read the transcript19 agenda items · 10 tracked topics, 1 in the wiki

Discussed

1
Call to Order · Meeting called to order by Chair Sarah Ross at 7:07 p.m.
2
Adoption of Agenda · Agenda adopted.
3
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes · Previous meeting minutes approved.
4a
Welcome and Introductions · Madeline Clary was welcomed as the new Student Representative.
5a
Thaiss Park – Update · Staff reported the park is fenced off and closed for redevelopment; expected reopening is March 26. Utility relocation is underway. A QR code on the cross-country trail links to the Engage page for public questions.
- Thaiss Parkin progressThaiss Park is fenced off and closed for redevelopment; expected reopening date is March 26, with utility relocation work beginning shortly. Historical research connected to Thaiss Park surfaced the story of Andy Smith and Jim Crow-era displacement, prompting PRAB discussion on commemoration options.
6a
Summary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation · Board was informed that the Kids Bill of Rights in Sports was voted through by City Council, requiring all current and new groups operating kids' sports programs to meet these standards. The council also approved creation of a Parks and Recreation foundation in December. The new council has entered and a council retreat on January 25 will partially focus on Parks and Recreation. A search for a new City Manager has begun, with Melanie Zipp serving as acting City Manager in the interim.
- Kids Bill of Rights in SportsapprovedCity Council voted to approve the Kids Bill of Rights in Sports; all current and new groups seeking to operate kids' sports programs in the City of Fairfax must now meet these standards.
6b
Thaiss History & Andy Smith Discussion · In connection with research into Thaiss Park's history, Andy Smith and his life were brought to PRAB's attention. PRAB discussed ways to honor his memory, including a plaque, naming a field after him, or a Little League scholarship. Concerns were raised about optics and ensuring justice to his family. Stacey will loop in GMU contacts and historic resources for further research. Ideas discussed included a short documentary, story maps, a QR code linking to a short video, and use of public art funds available in the Parks and Rec budget.
Thaiss Parkin progress
6c
Foundation Nominations · PRAB discussed how to streamline and make equitable the nominations process for the Parks and Recreation foundation board. It was agreed that the PRAB Chair would write a letter on behalf of applicants reapplying, and that if PRAB votes on one nomination, Parks would be permitted to apply for 501(c)(3) status (needing 5 members total, 3 to start paperwork). An online application process was proposed; Stacey will draft a prompt for PRAB approval. Ten seats are available on the foundation board; City Council will pick the first five, and 60% of members must be residents per bylaws.
7a
Project Updates – Master Plan, Pat Rodio, Van Dyck Redevelopment, Old Town Renovation, KJM Turf, Splashpad · Staff provided updates: Master Plan community meetings planned for late January/February tied to the Chocolate Lovers Festival. Pat Rodio Park playground plans underway including zipline and all-age play features; neighborhood outreach needed. Van Dyck Redevelopment has 5 new engineering items. Old Town Hall renovation delayed due to permitting issues but still on track; closure planned shortly after Chocolate Lovers Festival, with the Fire Station bingo hall potentially used for rentals. KJM Turf is on hold for the new council. Splash Pad renovation is on time. Williard-Sherwood is at 50% design.
- Pat Rodio Parkin progressPlayground plans are underway for Pat Rodio Park, including a zipline, all-age play equipment, bench swing, teen spaces, and large yard games; neighborhood outreach will be conducted.
- Van Dyck Redevelopmentin progressVan Dyck Redevelopment has 5 new engineering items in progress.
- Old Town Hallin progressOld Town Hall renovation is experiencing permitting delays but remains on track; closure is planned for shortly after the Chocolate Lovers Festival, with the Fire Station bingo hall potentially used for displaced rentals.
- KJM TurfdeferredKJM Turf project is on hold pending action by the new City Council.
- Fire Stationin progressThe bingo hall at the Fire Station was identified as a potential venue to recover rental revenue while Old Town Hall is closed for renovation.
7b
Upcoming Events and Programs · Board was referred to the supplemental PRAB report for details. Upcoming concerts, new performance metrics conducted by an outside company, and the Chocolate Lovers Festival (CLF) were highlighted. Members were invited to volunteer at CLF.
8a
Commission on the Arts – Yolanda Ortiz and Kelsey Sandoval · No update; liaisons were absent.
8b
Environmental Sustainability Committee – Rusty Russell · No update; liaison was absent.
8c
NOVA Parks – Douglas Stewart · Nothing new to report.
- NOVA Parksin progressDouglas Stewart reported nothing new from NOVA Parks at this meeting.
8d
Planning Commission – Matt Rice · Matt Rice reported that the Planning Commission held its first meeting of the new year and began discussions on the city's comprehensive plan investments in specific areas, including FX HS roof, Fire Station 3, multi-modal transportation, and pedestrian safety. The commission is writing recommendations to the new council. A high-density area proposal for a currently green/environmental space was also noted.
- City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive PlanapprovedwikiThe Planning Commission began discussions on the comprehensive plan, focusing on city investments in specific areas around the city.
8e
School Board · No update provided.
8f
Senior Center – Chuck Paceley · Chuck Paceley reported cold weather and noted that access to rakes has been helpful. Successful holiday events were held with 100+ attendees including dignitaries. Valentine's Day Lunch is scheduled for February 14. The Senior Center council raised questions about the Sherwood project; a meeting with Stacey and the architect will be arranged. The Senior Center has remained open despite snow.
- Senior CenterChuck Paceley reported successful holiday events (100+ attendees), noted the Senior Center has remained open during snow, and indicated a meeting will be set with staff and the architect to discuss the Sherwood project.
8g
Student Representative – Madeline Clary · No update provided.
9
Matters of the Members · No matters raised.
11
Adjournment · Meeting adjourned at 8:28 p.m.

Topics touched · 10

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.
Kids Bill of Rights in Sportsapproved
The Kids Bill of Rights in Sports is a City of Fairfax policy establishing standards that all groups operating kids' sports programs within the city must meet. City Council voted to approve the measure, as reported at the December 12, 2024 PRAB Regular Meeting.
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.
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.
KJM Turfdeferred
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.
Fire Stationin progress
The Fire Station project in the City of Fairfax involves improvements to Fire Station 3 and the planned construction of a new fire station on University Drive. On November 12, 2024, the City Council unanimously adopted Resolution R-24-32 (6-0) authorizing the City of Fairfax Economic Development Authority to issue revenue bonds up to $54,500,000 for general government capital projects, with the fire station listed as an anticipated capital expenditure.
- Completion of Planning Commission CIP recommendations regarding Fire Station 3 improvements (expected January 2025 per the December 2024 PRAB meeting — outcome not confirmed in the record).
- Final design, timeline, and construction schedule for the new fire station to be built on University Drive.
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.
City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Planapproved
The City of Fairfax 2035 Comprehensive Plan is the city's long-range land use and policy framework document. A five-year review process, initiated in summer 2023 in accordance with Code of Virginia §15.2-2230, included community outreach, input from city boards and commissions, and a compilation and refinement phase through 2024.
- Whether and how the Planning Commission and City Council will proceed with a formal review of the 2035 Comprehensive Plan pertaining to mixed-use development outside activity centers (discussed at…
- Outcome of the July 13, 2026 Planning Commission work session presenting Implementation Guide updates related to the Comprehensive Plan and approved Small Area Plans (no minutes or actions report…
This meeting in the wiki Overview
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.

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

Documents · 2

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