Draper Drive Park
Summary
Draper Drive Park is a City of Falls Church park that has been the subject of several municipal actions across multiple years. In September 2024, the City Council unanimously approved local artist Jessica Pidcock to paint a public art mural on the north-facing facade of the park's restroom structure, funded by proceeds from the plastic bag tax; the mural depicts woodland creatures cleaning up around a pond and is designed to be mounted on a removable panel for easy maintenance. Around the same time (October 2024), the park was identified as a priority location for a unarmed security pilot program alongside Stafford Drive Park and the Old Town Business area, due to high traffic, trail access, and proximity to residential communities. The park's restroom facility, apparently newly installed around early 2025, was noted as a significant quality-of-life improvement, including during a soccer tournament. Most recently, at the May 2026 City Council meeting, Draper Drive Park was identified as a key node in an alternative northern alignment concept for the Wilcoxon Trail Extension, which would route the trail along Draper Drive and Beach Drive to connect the park and neighborhoods north of Fairfax Boulevard with destinations to the south, including the Cross County Trail and Bluemont Junction area. The Council gave consensus in May 2026 to move forward with a feasibility study of this alignment using already-appropriated funds and to initiate public outreach.
Open questions & options on the table
- Feasibility study of the Wilcoxon Trail Extension alternative alignment through Draper Drive Park is underway — study results and final alignment decision are pending.
- Public outreach on the updated Wilcoxon Trail Extension concept connecting to Draper Drive Park has been directed to commence — scope, timeline, and outcomes not yet recorded.
- Status of the unarmed security pilot program at Draper Drive Park (referenced October 2024) has not been resolved in the available record.
- A possible Cardinal Road bicycle route through Draper Drive Park to Fairfax Boulevard (raised by a public speaker in April 2025) has not been acted upon in the available record.
What members have said
At the September 24, 2024 meeting, Mayor Reed expressed enthusiastic support for the mural project, commenting that she was 'all in' for more public art and more bathrooms, particularly art on bathrooms.
At the September 24, 2024 meeting, Council Member Staley pulled agenda item 8D from the consent agenda for discussion and subsequently made the motion to approve Jessica Pidcock to paint the mural at Draper Drive Park, which passed unanimously.
At the September 24, 2024 meeting, Council Member Lim seconded the motion to approve the mural by Jessica Pidcock at Draper Drive Park restrooms.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.
Full history
[8d] The park's restroom structure was approved as the site for the new public art mural.
passedApprove Jessica Pidcock to paint the mural at Draper Drive Park restrooms.✓ Bates✓ Doyle Feingold✓ Greenfield✓ Lim✓ Ross✓ Stehle[11a] Draper Drive Park was identified as a potential route component in the alternative alignment concept for the Wilcoxon Trail Extension.