Alcova Heights Park is going to get a face lift.
The county is gearing up to award a $2.8 million contract to upgrade a number of facilities in the heavily used 13-acre park on S. George Mason Drive, a few blocks north of Columbia Pike.
Over the course of the renovations, most amenities will be replaced, some new features built, site circulation improved and more greenery planted to address stormwater management.
These changes aim to address complaints residents had about the park back in 2018, including: poor drainage; unsafe crossing conditions at 8th Street S., which bisects the park; the lack of a bridge over Doctors Run, which flows through the park; and old picnic shelters and bathrooms.
The renovations — expected to begin this spring and take about one year — include:
- a new large picnic shelter and site furnishings
- an improved fire pit area
- a new sand volleyball court
- new stairway entrances to the park at the north and south ends from S. George Mason Drive
- an improved sidewalk and pedestrian crossing at 8th Street S.
- a new lighted basketball court
- new restrooms
- tree and shrub plantings to improve drainage
- improvements to site circulation
Arlington Palooza, an annual event held at Alcova Heights Park that made its debut in 2017, will be relocating for this year due to the work.
“The playground and diamond field are not part of the project and will remain open during construction,” a county report said.
These two park amenities will be replaced as part of a yet unfunded second phase, which will also see the construction of a pedestrian bridge.
Phase 2 can be considered in an upcoming Capital Improvement Plan, according to the county. A timeline for these upgrades has yet to be determined.
The county has budgeted $4 million for all the renovations.
The public process for the project kicked off in 2018. Initially, the county planned to begin renovations in 2020 and finish in 2021. The County Board is now set to consider the construction contract at its meeting this coming Saturday.