A package of local street safety projects and the final draft design for upgrades to Doctor’s Run Park are both collecting public feedback through this weekend.
The deadline to submit input on all projects is Sunday. The street projects are intended to improve pedestrian safety on roads in Green Valley, Virginia Square and East Falls Church, while Doctor’s Run Park is expected to get a resurfaced volleyball court and updated playground equipment, among other changes.
Street safety projects
The feedback forms ask respondents to provide thoughts on how much the following changes would improve safety.
- Shirlington Road from S. Glebe Road to 22nd Street S. (Green Valley)
- Sidewalk bump outs near the existing streetlights to provide an unobstructed sidewalk on the west side the street
- N. Van Buren Street from 18th Street N. to 19th Street N. (East Falls Church)
- An unobstructed sidewalk on the west side the street between 18th and 19th Streets N.
- A marked crosswalk and curb ramps at the south side of 19th Street N.
- N. Tuckahoe Street from 18th Street N. to 19th Street N. (East Falls Church)
- Complete the missing sidewalk infrastructure to provide a safe and accessible pedestrian route on N. Tuckahoe Street, connecting pedestrians to the entrance to Benjamin Banneker Park
- 13th Street N. from N. Quincy Street to N. Lincoln Street (Virginia Square)
- An unobstructed sidewalk on the south side of the street between N. Quincy Street and N. Lincoln Street
- Upgrades all four curb ramps at 13th and Nelson Streets and on the SW and SE corners of 13th and Lincoln Streets
- 44 parking spots (52 existing)
The projects were all nominated by community members, evaluated based on set criteria and recommended for design by the Neighborhood Complete Street Commission.
“Your feedback will help refine concept designs, which will then be considered at a Funding Hearing of the Neighborhood Complete Streets Commission,” the feedback form says.
Doctor’s Run renovations
Changes to Doctor’s Run Park, meanwhile, follow several months of public engagement beginning last fall. Key design elements include the following.
- Proposed play elements are visually appealing and offer unique play opportunities to benefit children’s development
- Physical play, sensory experiences, and socializing opportunities
- ADA compliant
- New site furnishings, including a shade structure for the playground, picnic tables, increased seating options, drinking fountain/bottle filler and signage.
- ADA compliant paving within the project area. This includes a new pathway that connects the playground to the volleyball court.
- Surface material for renovated volleyball court to remain stone dust based on cost, maintenance, and feedback from regular users.
- LED lighting for the volleyball court.
- Minimal tree loss.
- Native plantings to enhance landscape strategies supportive of resource conservation and habitat enhancement through biophilic design.
- Stormwater management to be a bio-retention area with native plantings.
Following a County Board vote, construction is expected to begin in summer 2027, according to a project page.
Photo via Google Maps.
