Arlington County staff are seeking another round of feedback on a master plan for Maury Park, Herselle Milliken Park and Gum Ball Park.
An open house scheduled for next Tuesday, June 16 will feature draft concepts for the Three Urban Parks Project. It follows another round of feedback last fall, during which participants shared input on changes they would like to see at the parks, all located in the Ashton Heights neighborhood near the Virginia Square Metro station.
“The purpose of the master plan is to identify community needs and priorities, taking into consideration that these three small parks are located in close proximity and should have complementary, rather than duplicative, features,” a project page says.
Goals include connecting the parks “to make them feel like one cohesive park” and providing spaces for recreation, casual use and enjoying nature.
One of the most controversial aspects of the planning process could be a potential new name for Maury Park, currently honoring Matthew Fontaine Maury, a pioneer of oceanography and a Confederate commander during the Civil War. The Department of Parks and Recreation confirmed plans to consider a rename in March 2023.
In an online feedback form last fall, 62% of respondents supported renaming the park, while 38% were opposed, according to a community engagement summary.
At Maury Park, participants have also expressed interested in “art and cultural features, gathering areas, and additional seating,” in addition to more recreation options and improvements to walking paths.
At Herselle Milliken Park, meanwhile, participants have expressed a desire for features such as a rain garden, a meadow with native flowers and a play area, plus pet-friendly amenities and seating.
Finally, at Gum Ball Park, participants appeared to favor “light-touch enhancements over major changes.” They “supported nature based amenities, enhanced casual use support, and limiting additional hardscape and impervious surfaces within the park.”
The open house will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington (3550 Wilson Blvd) in the area behind The Tiffany Gallery and tennis courts, weather permitting. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP.
