Unhappy Park Visitors Take Frustrations Out on Yelp

Despite the cries of many residents for more open, green space in the county, not all park goers are happy with the parks that currently exist in Arlington.

Among otherwise glowing reviews, there are a number of one, two or three star Yelp reviews of parks in Arlington, detailing the numerous problems some visitors experience.

Complaints ranged from the park’s design, lack of proper cleanup by park employees or that the park just didn’t have enough to offer.

Parks in Arlington aren’t alone in receiving negative comments. In honor of the National Park Service’s 99th birthday, the publication Mother Jones this week shared some not-so-nice reviews of national parks across the country, in a post entitled “I Can’t Stop Reading One-Star Yelp Reviews of National Parks.”

James Hunter Park

James Hunter Park (1299 N. Herndon Street) — the Clarendon dog park —  is dog-friendly, and has an open lawn, water feature and a “plaza terrace,” according to the park’s website. However, one reviewer claims the park was not designed with dogs in mind.

LBJ Memorial Grove

The LBJ Memorial Grove is located off of Boundary Channel Drive by the Columbia Island Marina and is one of the many National Parks Service-run green spaces in Arlington. However, despite the intention of peace and tranquility, Yelp reviewers seemed to be disturbed by other visitors and the bathrooms.

Oakland Park 

The county describes Oakland Park (3705 Wilson Blvd) as a “quaint” park and a good picnic destination, according to the park’s website. This Yelp reviewer advises that visitors don’t touch the grass.

Benjamin Banneker Park

Benjamin Banneker Park (1701 N. Van Buren Street) is dog-friendly, has a playground and open, grassy space. However, the open space was a problem for this visitor who found the park muddy after it had rained a couple days before.

Gravelly Point

Gravelly Point is know for plane watching, as the park is located next to Reagan National Airport. However, one visitor didn’t see the point of having a park next to an airport.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Located along the banks of the Potomac near Rosslyn, this park stands as a memorial for our 26th president. The park is close enough to Reagan National Airport that planes flying overhead may bother some visitors.

Quincy Park

Quincy Park at 1021 N. Quincy Street has tennis courts, baseball/softball fields and a playground. However, the park also has some lighting problems, according to one Yelp review.

Upton Hill Regional Park

Upton Hill Park is  located at 6060 Wilson Blvd. The park has a pool, batting cages and mini golf, but maintenance of the park was a problem for this reviewer.