parks department

Around Town

New Community Garden Breaks Ground at Virginia Highlands Park

By Scott Fields
Volunteers break ground at new Virginia Highlands Park urban garden (Photo courtesy Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture)

A portion of Virginia Highlands Park, near Pentagon City, is being transformed into a vibrant display of gardening through a new agricultural initiative.

The Arlington Friends of Urban Agriculture, National Landing BID, Livability 22202 and Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation collaborated to develop a project that is revitalizing a strip of land in the park for a temporary demonstration garden. The project, called the Highlands Urban Garden (HUG), is located at 1600 S. Hayes Street.

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Rosslyn Dog Park Is Getting Closer to Becoming Reality

By ARLnow.com
Location of future interim Rosslyn dog park (via Arlington County)

Planning is underway for a temporary dog park in Rosslyn that could eventually become permanent.

The dog park will be built in an underutilized grassy area on the west end of Gateway Park (1300 Lee Highway). The current plans call for it to be divided into a 8,000 square foot section for large dogs and a 2,900 square foot section for small dogs.

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Renderings Released for New Public Plaza in Virginia Square

By Scott Fields
Concept A of 3901 N. Fairfax Drive plaza (photo via Arlington County)

(Updated at 2:20 p.m.) After years of stalled plans, concepts for a new public plaza and office building in Virginia Square are taking shape.

Arlington County and developer Skanska released two new concept designs for the plaza as part of a community engagement process for the planned development, located near Arlington Central Library. The county is seeking feedback on the designs, which have changed since the development was first approved in 2012.

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County Board to Consider Refunds for Those Who Paid Bankrupt Camp Contractor

By ARLnow.com
Former Arlington County logo on basketball court in Waverly Hills (staff photo)

The Arlington County Board this weekend is set to consider allocating $133,413 to provide refunds to one of the county’s summer camp contractors.

The contractor — American In-Line Skating, Inc. — went bankrupt after the county cancelled summer camps this year on account of the pandemic, a county staff report says. More from the report:

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Arlington Playgrounds Reopening Today

By ARLnow.com

Good news for kids and parents: two weeks after dog parks and tennis courts reopened, playgrounds and outdoor public restrooms are opening up today.

Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation made the announcement Thursday afternoon, amid the slowing rate of new COVID-19 infections. In addition to the reopening of playgrounds and restrooms, athletic field and court lights will be turned back on and organized sports allowed in parks.

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Around Town

Mountain Bikers Push to Legalize Trail Use in Arlington Parks

By Vernon Miles
Mountain bike on Arlington trail (photo via Arlington Trails/Facebook)

(Updated at 9:25 a.m.) In addition to the official woodlands paths and trails through Arlington parks, a visitor is likely to find countless other well-worn paths that criss-cross the park built from decades of use.

As Arlingtonians venture into nature for a social-distanced outdoors experience, a local group is hoping to legalize the natural trails and make them sustainable.

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JUST IN: Dog Parks, Basketball Courts Reopening Friday

By ARLnow.com

Dog parks, basketball courts and volleyball courts will reopen Friday, along with gyms and restaurant dining rooms.

Arlington County announced that it was reopening the additional park facilities as Northern Virginia enters Phase 2 of the reopening. The county previously reopened athletic fields, batting cages, tennis courts, tracks and picnic shelters last Friday.

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JUST IN: Tennis Courts, Tracks, Picnic Shelters to Reopen

By ARLnow.com

Some currently closed amenities at Arlington County parks will be reopening Friday.

Arlington’s Dept. of Parks and Recreation announced this afternoon that park amenities which can be utilized safely while maintaining social distancing will be reopening. That includes athletic fields, batting cages, tennis courts, tracks and picnic shelters.

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Arlington Hits a Few Bumps in Park Reopening Process

By Vernon Miles
Hayes Park remained locked and closed on Wednesday, May 27 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

With parks reopening on Saturday, some Arlingtonians were eager to walk around some of the county’s nationally ranked parklands, only to find a padlock secured across the front entrance.

At Hayes Park, the front gates were secured, keeping visitors away from the three-acre park north of Virginia Square.

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Arlington’s Park System Ranks Fourth In the Nation for Third Year in a Row

By Vernon Miles
Virginia Highlands Park on Wednesday, April 8 (Staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

A ranking of park systems in cities across the country (yes, we know Arlington is not a city) placed Arlington’s fourth, not far behind neighboring D.C.

The Trust for Public Land’s ParkScore index ranked the top 100 localities on their parks, based on access, acreage, amenities and investment.

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