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County Hoping to Start Work on Mosaic Park Overhaul in Ballston Next Year

Published June 7, 2018 at 1:45PM

Mosaic Park design (via Arlington County)

Arlington County is now hoping to kick off construction work on an overhaul of Ballston’s Mosaic Park early next year, following years of delays prompted in part by cost overruns.

County officials are planning to finish renovations at the park, located at 538 N. Pollard Street just behind the Gold’s Gym parking lot, by the end of 2019. Planners unveiled an updated timeline for the park’s renovations at a community meeting last Wednesday (May 30), along with detailed designs for new features like a playground, plaza and athletic courts.

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Rosslyn Opens ‘Parklet,’ Kicks Off Experiment in Adding Green Space to Urban Areas

By Alex Koma

Published May 31, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated June 1, 2018 at 4:40PM

County Board Chair Katie Cristol cuts the ribbon on Rosslyn's "parklet" (photo by Alex Koma)

Arlington’s first “parklet” is now open to the public, providing a small splash of green space amid Rosslyn’s urban landscape — and perhaps giving county officials a new tool for adding more open spaces across Arlington.

Rosslyn’s Business Improvement District teamed up with the county to design the mini-park, located adjacent to the Roti Mediterranean restaurant at the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and N. Oak Street. Starting today (Thursday), anyone can take advantage of the parklet, which is just 30 feet wide — about the size of two parking spaces.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 25, 2018 at 9:45AM | Updated May 25, 2018 at 12:40PM

Memorial Day Closures — Arlington County offices, courts, schools, community centers and other facilities will be closed Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. Metro, meanwhile, will operate on a Sunday schedule on Monday. [Arlington County, WMATA]

Spraygrounds Opening Today — Arlington’s spraygrounds will open for the summer today. The water play areas are located at Drew Park, Hayes Park, Lyon Village Park and Virginia Highlands Parks. [Arlington County]

News

Arlington Parks Ranked Fourth Nationally, Just Behind D.C. in Third

By Alex Koma

Published May 23, 2018 at 9:45AM

Arlington has the fourth-best park system in the entire country, just behind our neighbors across the Potomac, according to a new set of rankings from the Trust for Public Land.

The county climbed two spots in the California-based group’s rankings from a year ago, earning a “ParkScore” of 81.6 out of 100. D.C. was just slightly ahead of Arlington at 81.6. Minneapolis took the top spot nationally with a score of 84.2, with its twin city St. Paul, Minnesota placing second with 82.4.

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Despite Public Pressure, County Unlikely to Press Developers for Schools, Parks Contributions

By Alex Koma

Published May 18, 2018 at 10:45AM

If large new developments are going to put a strain on Arlington’s schools or eat up more of the county’s green space, why doesn’t the county require developers to chip in some cash to offset those impacts?

It’s a question on the minds of many Arlingtonians, particularly as the county grapples with budget cuts and increasingly overcrowded classrooms. “Peter’s Take” columnist Peter Rousselot even addressed the issue in his May 3 opinion piece, urging county leaders to require that any developer looking to add density to a property through a zoning change first send Arlington money (or even land) for schools and parks.

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County Board Set to Approve Full Overhaul of Powhatan Springs Skate Park

By Alex Koma

Published May 14, 2018 at 10:55AM

A concept drawing of the new skate park (photo via Arlington County)

The Powhatan Springs Skate Park could soon be in line for a $2.2 million overhaul.

The Arlington County Board is expected to approve a full renovation of the 14-year-old park, located at 6020 Wilson Boulevard in the Boulevard Manor neighborhood, at its meeting this weekend.

Around Town

Benjamin Banneker Dog Park Improvements to Be Revealed

By Anna Merod

Published May 1, 2018 at 3:45PM

Current Benjamin Banneker dog park

County staff are set to reveal the new design features for dog park improvements at Benjamin Banneker Park in East Falls Church.

The public will get a look at the conceptual dog park design tomorrow during a meeting at Tuckahoe Elementary School, starting at 7 p.m. Some proposed additions include new furnishings and play features.

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Two Public Hearings Scheduled For Four Mile Run Valley Concept

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published April 25, 2018 at 4:45PM | Updated April 25, 2018 at 5:06PM

Jennie Dean Park rendering, with field alignments approved by the County Board

The public will get a chance to give feedback on the draft Four Mile Run Valley policy framework at two upcoming hearings.

The two park concepts detail proposed outlines for redeveloping the area. Both propose two different developmental phases, and at first glance are quite similar. They concepts initially maintain PBS member station WETA’s building, but both anticipate eventually acquiring the space for redevelopment.

Events

Belly Dancing Classes To Be Held At Rosslyn’s Freedom Park

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published April 25, 2018 at 1:45PM | Updated April 25, 2018 at 2:29PM

A whole lot of shaking will be going on at Rosslyn’s Freedom Park, where a series of belly dancing classes will occur.

The hour-long classes, which run from May 9-30, target beginners looking to learn belly dancing basics. Classes take place on Wednesdays starting at 6 p.m.

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Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published April 25, 2018 at 8:30AM

Roosevelt Island, Gravelly Point to Get Bikeshare — The County Board approved a deal with the National Park Service to allow Capital Bikeshare stations on Theodore Roosevelt Island and at Gravelly Point. Although the stations are on NPS land, the county will install and maintain them. [Arlington County]

Arlington, Falls Church Men Arrested in Drug Bust — Williamsburg police arrested 10 people at the College of William & Mary — including one student from Arlington, two from Falls Church and a professor — during a large drug bust during which they confiscated LSD, cocaine, mushrooms, opioids, amphetamines, steroids, hashish, marijuana and $14,000 in cash. Police launched a months-long investigation when they heard that increased drug use was causing unreported sexual assaults. [Richmond Times-Dispatch]

News

Dawson Terrace Park Renovation Contract Set For Approval

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published April 17, 2018 at 4:45PM | Updated April 17, 2018 at 6:41PM

The contract for renovations at Dawson Terrace Park in North Highlands, northwest of Rosslyn, is set for approval, per a county staff report.

The work will renovate areas of extensive use, including a multi-use court, playground, walkways, and picnic areas. D.C.’s Bennett Group, beating out five other bidders, is expected to be awarded the $1,507,500.45 contract.

News

New Metro Market Square Coming to Crystal City

By Bridget Reed Morawski

Published March 6, 2018 at 12:45PM | Updated March 6, 2018 at 1:08PM

Rendering of new Market Square (photo via Arlington County)

Crystal City will be getting a new, 43,900 square foot plaza called Metro Market Square, according to county planning documents.

Plans for the plaza cite Boston’s Faneuil Hall as inspiration and include retail businesses, small water features, chess tables, and a options for outdoor entertainment.