The installation of two athletic lights and additional fencing at Bluemont Park is teed up for approval as plans to renovate the park’s tennis courts move forward.
A use permit application for the changes is scheduled to go before the Arlington County Board tomorrow (Saturday).
“This project has been the subject of a public design process, with County Board consideration expected in 2025 with construction to commence soon thereafter,” a County Board report says. “The vast majority of the improvements are permitted with the exception of two (2) lights and a portion of fence along the site’s western frontage of North Manchester Street.”
The report lists no known issues related to the proposal.
Plans for the park at 601 N. Manchester Street call for new tennis courts that are more spread out and raised to prevent flooding, in addition to other amenities including a building with restrooms, picnic furnishings, a resurfaced parking lot and more native shrubs and trees. The county report lists the following goals.
- Replace the existing tennis court complex
- Provide new lighting
- Improve restrooms and storage
- Provide a new picnic shelter
- Improve the parking lot
- Provide site circulation, site furnishings, drainage and landscaping
- Restore natural resources
Respondents were largely satisfied with the proposed design in the latest round of feedback this summer, giving the plans an average rating of 7 out of 10.
Some nearby residents raised concerns about noise and light pollution, while respondents expressed an interest in multi-use courts and pickleball facilities. Other suggestions included adding practice courts as well as an insulating bubble that could be placed over the courts during the winter.
The County Board is expected to approve construction on the project in spring 2025.
