The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is in the planning stages for an All Abilities Park to be built just off Braddock Road behind the DMV. The idea for the park was spawned when the Commonwealth of Virginia transferred the former Northern Virginia Training Center to private developer, Erickson Senior Living, to build the now occupied Woodleigh Chase Senior Living facility on Braddock Road. In 2019, when the rezoning to build the Woodleigh Chase facility was granted by the Board of Supervisors, then Supervisor Cook negotiated for a 4.7 acre parcel to be granted to the Fairfax County Park Authority dedicated for use as an all abilities recreational facility.
Initially, there were efforts to build a mini All Abilities recreation center. However, with the challenges of Covid and increasing building costs, it was clear that finding the funding to build a mini recreation center was not feasible.
The current plan is to develop an all abilities park on the parcel. The parcel has already been cleared and a parking lot was made by Erickson. The cost for the park will be north of one million dollars. The only funding currently earmarked for the park is a $350,000 proffer related to the One University project near George Mason University. So approximately $650,000 still needs to be funded.
At a September 2nd virtual meeting to provide an update on the park, Kiel Stone, Chairman of the FCPA, indicated that there is no specific date in mind for development of the park. The next bond cycle in 2026 is a $180 million bond – $60,000,000 of which is earmarked for the rebuild of the Audrey Moore Recreation Center. Stone stated that while not impossible, it will be an uphill climb for the all abilities park to be part of the 2026 bond cycle. It is more likely to be part of the 2032 bond cycle.
For more information regarding the all abilities park check out the FCPA website as well as the Braddock Advisory and Supervisor Walkinshaw’s Braddock Beacon. You can listen to the recording of the September 2nd virtual meeting here.
