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PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 414

Arlington, Virginia 22201

Meeting Minutes

September 19, 2017 Commission Members Present: Caroline Haynes, Chair Bill Ross Cindy Krech Jim Feaster Kirubel Fessesework Duke Banks Andrea Walker Nereide Ellis David Howell Jesse Boeding Kevin Rachlin Nate Gould Guests: none County Staff: Scott McPartlin, CPT Supervisor, DPR Marco Rivero Bethany Heim PRC members not in attendance: Michael Grace Renee Mayo Steve Finn Jim Miekle Chairman’s Introduction and Review of Meeting Minutes: The Commission reviewed and approved the August, 2017 minutes.

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Public Comment: No public comments

Memorial Plaque Policy: DPR Park Development Division Planner, Bethany Heim provided a presentation on the Memorial Plaque Policy process. She said that the existing policy was not extremely clear and that staff reviewed other policies nationwide. She clarified that the Memorial Plaque Policy is to recognize “extraordinary Arlington citizens/residents” for their contributions to the County. Also, having a separate policy related to benches would be more streamlined. The goal in revising the policy is to provide clarity in the process for benches and memorial plaques.

Questions:

If someone is making a major donation for a specific item, would a specific recognition be provided? Staff will work with senior staff to learn how that process works, however this is different from what is being proposed for memorial plaques.

Have you added something about making contributions to the community? Yes, there is more detailed language to that affect. Why is there a different policy for memorial plaques than for recognition of services/donation collaboration policy? These policies will likely be housed under the same organizational umbrella, but will be reviewed under separate/different criteria. The streamlined processes would be clarified on the website. What aspects of the new policy are different from the old one? The new policy specifies who is responsible for what aspects of the policy application, the expected outcomes and the defined process. Also, the County is recommending no plaques on trees. How many applications do we get per year? Likely only a handful a year, but there will be a streamlined online application process, updated communication and web presence.

Park Bench Donation and Adoption Policy: Bethany Heim provided a presentation on the Park Bench Donation and Adoption Policy process. She stated that the Park Bench Donation policy commemorates persons, places, events, pets, etc. It is a more streamlined/faster approval process. The ultimate outcome would be a small plaque inscription behind an existing or new bench. Questions/Comments:

How much would this cost to adopt? Staff provided data on how much it costs to provide plaques in other jurisdictions (ranging from $800 and $10,000) and policies for donations/contributions. Arlington will likely be aligned with the Fairfax/Alexandria donation amounts. Staff anticipate a briefing/advertisement in October 2017, and County Board consideration in November 2017.

Could staff provide a clear matrix for what changes are being proposed from the existing Memorial Plaque policy and what important items are coming out of the new Park Bench policy? We would like to hear from the PRC whether it is clear and do you understand the outcomes and process. Staff will

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provide additional background on the donation/collaboration policy compared to the processes mentioned above. Staff will provide additional changes to both the Memorial Plaque and Park Bench policies based on comments from the PRC. We are providing standard language for the bench donation/adoption policy plaque and the applicant can provide their specific name/information on this. What are the differences in timelines? The timeline for approval on the Park Bench policy is more streamlined and may be reviewed administratively.

South Park Naming

Bethany Heim provided a presentation on the naming of the currently-named South Park. She shared suggested names based on online and public meeting feedback. The most popular is “Luna Park” which commemorates an old amusement park that existed in the County from 1906-1915. The South Park Master Plan presentation to the County Board is scheduled for December 2017. Questions/Comments:

Is the name Luna Park owned by any entity? Staff will research this question. PRC Vote The Commission voted 9 votes for “South Park” and 5 votes for “Luna Park”; Bethany will take this vote back to the HALRB for their consideration.

Shirlington Park Preliminary Discussion

Parks and Recreation Commission Chair, Caroline Haynes provided a presentation on the Shirlington Park area based on the presentation that was provided to the 4MRV Working Group (WG) at their September 5, 2017 meeting. She stated that the east end of the park contains invasive species and is not as inviting as the west end of the park which contains various amenities such as fitness stations. She mentioned that DPR has done a “DPR digs” day where staff planted daffodils. She also stated that the Park is in the RPA and presented the WG’s questions. Questions/Comments: This would be a good area for art installations along the trail area (markers for an “arts walk”). Is there any more information on erosion issues in the planning area? There are issues with erosion on this site, and understanding the water sheeting off the roofs on to the park area across the stream after a rain storm is critical. This reach of the stream does not particularly lend itself to stream restoration. It would be extremely expensive to do it and you would not get your best “bang for your buck”. There are areas in Shirlington Park where tree planting could

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occur. Parks and Natural Resources folks are always looking for new locations for tree planting. Along the stream bank would assist in ameliorating stream erosion. Is there a budget to contend with? This is master planning, not design at this point. Are there realignment opportunities in this area, to obtain extra width? Realignment on the trail and the bridge area? Trail area should go under the road, and have a relationship to the water (bike trail go under the bridge). Access to the water on the east side of the park would be an improvement. A destination playground would be an improvement as well (relationship to the water). A destination playground will be at Jennie Dean Park. There should be a place to sit near the park area that is near the water. You don’t want children in the stream area for safety concerns. Consider keeping the bikers on the Four Mile Run side since this trail area can be more conducive to multi-modal passive recreation space. This should be a place to hang out instead of a pass-through space. We have not seen mock ups of what the new Shirlington bridge will look like, but there should be better incorporation of this space (pinch point/bottleneck area) with the park area along Shirlington Rd and S Arlington Mill Dr. on the east side of the park. Staff (Scott McPartlin): mentioned that there has been some discussion on possible wayfinding directing bike traffic towards the commuter trail on S Four Mile Run Dr., and possibly adding a bike path on the r-o-w to alleviate pedestrian traffic on the Shirlington Park trail. The 4MRV project area also functions as a regional amenity along with the adjacent Four Mile Run Restoration Project with Alexandria. Emphasize “passive” as opposed to “active” space. That was discussed as part of the community’s comments. Possible Recommendation PRC: PRC commission supports the position of the Dog Park Committee where it would maximize the amount of usable park space within the parcel areas that have been identified for consideration of an “arts district” area. Push for advocating for as much green space as possible within the County, and that other “non-green” spaces could be used for arts or other uses. Is there a need for another bridge within the park space for better circulation and connectivity, considering there are two on opposite ends of the park, but not one within? Better use of existing parking facilities and spaces within the Village at Shirlington for folks to park, have dinner, have a drink at the brewery, and have a “full circle” experience within this area would be an improvement in this area. We should make the Shirlington Park east intersection along Shirlington Rd and S Arlington Mill Dr more pedestrian friendly. Are there more techniques on speed humps on trails or other traffic calming measures for bike paths that can be looked at here? Staff (Scott M.): During the Benjamin Banneker process, we learned that speed hump incorporation within trails can actually be dangerous. The current trail area is somewhat narrow, but safer traffic calming techniques may be looked at in more detail with the consultant team working on Shirlington Park.

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Letter to P&RC from Friends of Aurora Highlands Parks

Jesse Boeding presented the letter to the group. Friends of Aurora Highlands Parks member, Kari Klaus produced the letter. She stated that to answer the question on how other guided processes work, you allow for better civic engagement, and marry-up the creative and responsive side of park plan development. She added that you also work within the existing County plans and documents. How may this affect privately-owned public spaces? How may this assist a large suburban/urban park with more “casual-use” spaces and uses? Independent consultants could help spearhead a public review process- for example, PenPlace was spearheaded by Olin Group, leading the public process. Getting an independent group involved would be helpful. Community against the staff issue could be relieved by having a consultant moderate and lead that discussion. A non-profit group can lead the community engagement discussion, but this would ultimately be paid by Arlington County Govt. How would the “procurement” process be affected; sole-source procurement is not allowed. Having more community engagement on learning the history of the parks will add a valuable element and obtain buy-in for the park. At what point should we find a different way of engaging the community, if the same 10-15 people show up to all of the meetings (loudest voices, and other 200,000 people in the County don’t feel like they can truly engage)? With sole-source procurement, the competitive process needs to be done, but is there a way of recommending best practices for the process? Can we distill how these groups work for this particular process? What are some of the other park planning projects that are planning to start? Scott M.: This is still being discussed, and the County Board will need to ultimately provide direction on this. Any way of looking at what the 4MRV process has done, and what can be done differently? Should we send a Letter to County Board and Jane Rudolph, saying that an independent consultant can review this process? What are some of the key elements on this? We have good and bad examples of planning processes. Can this be done as a “pilot” project? I’m not talking about procurement or bidding, but figuring out how this can be done independently. The County move forward with supporting Bryna Heffners’s community engagement process (from the County’s Communications Office). PPS can be pulled out of it and explore a new way of pursuing community engagement. POPS builds up what we currently have for open space, but does not fill in the gap for what is needed for the future.

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We are not prepared to write a letter now, but it would be good to further explore what the key elements are? More broad based discussion is needed on the process. The author may certainly attend the next PRC meeting as part of the public comment period to address this. Jessie Boeding will send Kari Klaus questions from the PRC and explore possible next steps.

Staff Report

Tyrol Hill: Construction has started on Phase IV (Restroom Building/Futsal Court). TJ Synthetic Field Renovation: Construction has started- Turf replacement, Site

improvements, Shade structures over bleachers. Oakgrove Park: Under construction Bluemont Park: (NC project) has had several invasive plant treatments and the civic

association has done a great job with additional removals. The connecting trail is in permitting review and some tree planting is planned for late fall.

Nelly Custis: In design development and the third focus small group meeting with the civic association will be held October 5th. Geotechnical testing will be performed this week to determine infiltration for stormwater management.

Lucky Run: Continues into its fourth year of invasive plant removal. Chestnut Hills Frontage Improvement – NC Project: Porous Pavement and

concrete is complete. Benches, tables, and trash receptacles are installed. Ornamental fence and bathroom enclosure installation will take place in the upcoming weeks.

Oakgrove Park Playground – NC Project: Playground equipment being installed at the 2-5 year old area. Boulder placement at concrete curbs and seat wall being installed.

Tree Canopy Analysis: The Parks and Natural Resources Division – Urban Forestry section is finalizing the bidding process on a tree canopy analysis for 2016 imagery. The last tree canopy analysis was performed in 2011, through Casey Trees, and previously in 2008. This analysis will allow the county to analyze gain or loss in tree canopy, throughout the county, including changes in park tree canopy. A report will be part of the analysis.

Benjamin Banneker Park Framework Plan: The framework plan will be posted online this month for the community to see before it is presented to the County Board at their October meeting where it will be considered for adoption. (BBPFP CB meeting has been moved to possibly December)

6711 Lee Highway Townhomes: Adjacent to Charles Stewart Park and development of townhouses near the boundary will potentially impact two mature trees in the park unless changes are made to their design and construction approach.

2801 Clarendon Blvd: Market Common Clarendon (Phase 2) – Existing public plaza will be refurbished. Looking at the public access easement for plaza and what plaza offers for public use.

1900 S. Eads St. – Crystal Houses III: 30,920 SF public open space planned here with open lawn and trees, two activity areas, and paths. Significant loss of mature trees with the development of the new residential building.

1031 N. Vermont St. – 11th & Vermont: Development will infill what is now a parking lot and private playground. No public open space is planned as part of the development.

20 N. Thomas St. Wesley Housing Residential (Red Cross Site): Proposed open space within the development but no details yet on public use.

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4MRV: the working group resumed after the August recess on September 3rd and September 18th. There were two (2) reports out to the larger working group: (1) Arts District Committee presented their findings/recommendations on September 3rd and (2) the Dog Park Committee presented their findings/recommendations on September 18th. Staff and the consultant team are currently working on providing options and/or analysis for Jennie Dean Park and Shirlington Park which will be presented to the Working Group in October.

RHP+: Tthe Penzance design team and DPR have been coordinating the design development and construction drawing associated with Rosslyn Highlands Park. Staff is also coordinating with Arlington Public Schools (APS) and their design team for the Wilson School project on any design details that may affect both Rosslyn Highlands Park and the new Wilson School.

Fleet Elementary School (NES @ TJ): The Fleet Elementary School project is currently underway with site clearance and other site preparation work. Furthermore, the Thomas Jefferson field restoration project began on Thursday, September 14th with initial fence construction around the affect park areas. APS and DPR staff continue to coordinate logistical details associated with both projects.

Questions/Comments: Lucky Run restoration, when is that going to end? Staff (SM) will confirm this information with the Project Manager. Is there anything related to the Wakefield landscaping on the school grounds? The landscaping is not succeeding. Staff (SM) will find out who needs to maintain this with APS and send to Jim Meikle. Is there a Mosaic Park update? Staff (SM) provided an overview of the various playground, casual use spaces as part of Phase I, and also as part of Phase II, the current Gold’s Gym parking lot could be used for more open space for the park. Phase II area is not owned by the County yet. Mosaic Park, Phase I design will be sent to PRC member KF. SM stated that due to procurement law, we cannot reveal the bidding numbers/budget for construction.

Has Benjamin Banneker Park Master Plan been advertised for County Board consideration? Staff will confirm this for the group.

Commission Member Reports (8:45-9:15)

55+ (Andrea Walker)

The County’s updated MoA with the Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs

(AASP) was approved by the Board last Sat. The Alliance is the 501 (c) (3) that

supports the 55+ program w/fundraising activity. If interested in joining the

Alliance’s board or working with them on fundraising, contact AASP chair Doug

Frost at dougfrost8@gmail.com.

All 55+ staff positions are filled as of yesterday, Sept 18. This includes a new

Assistant 55+ Travel Coordinator and the Langston Brown Congregate Meal

Program Coordinator.

55+ FY17 Stats:

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--8100 registered w/program—about ½ hold the 55+ gold pass, up from 2500 in

FY 2016.

--55+ averaged 15 trips/month w/1057 (a unique number) participating last

year. 97% rated trips as "good to excellent"

--11,500 congregate meals (Social 60+ Café) were served last year at the 3 cong

meal sites.

--Total attendance (all 6 senior centers, travel, sports & fitness programs) was

156,500 (up from 141,200 in FY16)

Centers w/largest increase were Walter Reed and Arlington Mill, which were up

21% and 20% respectively.

APS (Jim Miekle) ACQUISITION

APS has acquired a residential property on North Culpeper Street for the purposes of:

a. Establishing a safer, more open entry for students, family and community

entering the school property from the West side. The current path is very

isolated/secluded and with private lots on both sides there were serious limits

on how much APS could do to improve that situation.

b. We will also be able to establish an additional exit/entry point for emergency

services (using ‘grass pave’)

The good news from a nature perspective is that, save a small path connecting to the

existing path inside the school property line, we will simply restore the lot to natural

surface.

WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL STADIUM LIGHTS

New stadium lighting project was completed on time and on budget this summer and

thus far indications are that neighbors have realized a big improvement in terms of

glare and overspill.

WAKEFIELD HIGH SCHOOL LANDSCAPING

Britziner are in the final design and scheduling of the first phase (A) of the proposed

improvements presented at previous PRC and UFC meetings.

SUMMER PLAYGROUND PROJECTS

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New playgrounds were successfully installed at Randolph and Oakridge elementary

schools.

FIELD PROJECTS

APS are planning a redesign of the space to the west of BARRETT elementary school

which will include a small rectangular synthetic (permeable) play surface to enable

students to have better year round play opportunities on campus.

Currently the next field slated for replacement is the grass field at ARLINGTON

SCIENCE FOCUS where the natural (Bermuda) surface simply cannot cope with the

volume of use. As there is no opportunity to ‘rest-and-rotate’ this field, APS also plans

a synthetic solution there (pending current budget process of course).

Benjamin Banneker (Cynthia Krech)

Bike Element MTP (Steve Finn/Nereide Ellis)

The Bike Element group continued discussing and reworking the draft framework.

1. Vision and goals

2. Policy statement

3. Facility design principles

4. Project prioritization principles

Discussion centered on making the plan general enough so that it would be

applicable in the future.

Pop-Ups in the county asked citizens to complete a survey. The survey also made

people aware of the Arlington Bike Plan.

Budget/CIP (Caroline Haynes)

The County Manager will provide a Sept. 27th session for commission guidance to the CM on the budget: (1) with new residential and commercial development, it is stressing a lot of the existing County parks and recreation facilities; (2) maintenance and operations budget for park maintenance should be increased.

Civic Federation (Jesse Boeding/Duke Banks))

General Liability Insurance issue – Because of growing concerns about liability

insurance from member organizations using County facilities, in June the Civic

Federation passed a Resolution requesting the County Board to re-evaluate the

requirement of requiring general liability insurance if using county facilities. Jay

Fisette, County Board Chairman, has responded that the Civic Federation

request has merit, and has directed staff to consider options. These options

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may impact DPR’s requirements of requiring insurance from civic associations

who wish to use a park facility for an event such as a neighbor picnic.

Crystal City Review Commission (Nate Gould)

Four Mile Run Valley Work Group (Caroline Haynes/Michael Grace)

The Shirlington Dog Park Committee will be reporting back to the 4MRVWG on

September 18. The report highlights the difficulty in addressing environmental

and regulatory issues given the location and configuration of the dog park in

the resource protection area. The committee makes a range of short and long

term recommendations that will address some environmental and operational

issues but will not address the regulatory requirements.

The Arts Committee presented its report at the September 5 meeting. There are

some conflicting recommendations in the two reports, most specifically

regarding the county owned parcels at 2704-2706 S. Oakland St., with the Dog

Park report recommending that this property be used for casual use parkland,

as opposed to retaining the warehouses for arts uses. The 4MRVWG will be

discussing these issues and general guiding principles at upcoming meetings.

Grants/Awards Committee

- Bill Thomas Award (Renee Mayo)

JFAC (Bill Ross)

JFAC will begin meetings again in September, focusing on school expansion

issues.

Lee Highway President’s Group (Cindy Krech/Caroline Haynes)

Long Bridge Park (Bill Ross]

Long Range Planning Committee, Special GLUP (Bill Ross)

Lubber Run Community Center (David Howell)

(BR) On 9/16, the county board endorsed the newly-presented design of the

new recreation center and renovated park. The new design takes into account

some of the recommendations of the PRC and the public in preserving more of

the park green space and protecting the park from storm water issues.

Madison Manor (Kirubel Fessesework)

Natural Resources Joint Advisory Group (NRJAG) (Haynes/ Ellis/Howell)

No meeting in September, but at the August 7 meeting Sarah Archer, Natural

Resources Specialist, provided an update on the progress on the rotation of

parks through a multi-year invasive removal protocol, and reported that some

parks are now moving into maintenance and early detection mode. She also

reported on progress with the Cooperative Weed Management Area with our

neighboring jurisdictions, which Arlington has been instrumental in developing.

Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee (NCAC) (Jim Feaster)

Public Facilities Review Committee (PFRC) (Michael Grace)

Plan for Our Places and Spaces (Haynes)

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Public comment on the preliminary draft of the plan was open from July 11

through August 31. Many comments were received and staff and consultants

are working through those now to capture and categorize the feed back. The

POPS Advisory Committee is planning to have two meetings in October to

review the comments and work through some of the remaining outstanding

issues. For example, more specific recommendations on field lighting is likely to

be addressed.

Site Plan Review Committee (Bill Ross/Caroline Haynes)

- Washington Boulevard/Kirkwood Road Special General Land Use

Staff is still working on a final paper and plan, which will contain several

opportunities for open space and pedestrian connectivity. The PRC will

probably review it at its October meeting.

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- Crystal House

Crystal House II -- During a walk through the site, SPRC members were struck by

how many mature, canopy trees are slated to be removed for the development

of additional residential units and a sizable privately owned, public open space.

Currently, no dog run is planned, despite an already large and increasing dog

population in the existing and planned rental units. The park plan calls for a mix

of informal recreation, play areas and casual use space, with a public access

easement.

Berkeley Condominiums (1000 N. Randolph St.) on Sept. 16 the county board

rejected a proposal by the owners to eliminate the 2001-approved public

easement in the open space at this property. The PRC had discussed the issue

with staff and submitted testimony at the 9/16 county board meeting.

South Park (Andrea Walker)

Sports Commission (Steve Finn)

Urban Agriculture (Renee Mayo)

Urban Forestry Commission (David Howell)

The Urban Forestry Commission did not meet in August.

Williamsburg Field Lighting Working Group (Bill Ross)

On 9/16, the county board voted to have the consideration for lights be

reviewed further as part of a larger study of needs and costs for synthetic fields

and lighting at all candidate sites, over the next several years. Criteria would

be established based on input from the POPS process and reviewed during the

next CIP cycle. County Board members cited considerations presented by the

PRC as part of their decision-making.

Other Business On the Saturday, September 16th CB Meeting:

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o Berkeley Condominiums had a 2001 site plan condition for a passageway space that was never recorded as an easement. The condo organization wanted to remove that condition. However, the CB denied the request to remove this condition, due to the various precedents that could be started on this.

o Williamsburg Lighting was deferred for another period of time in the future. This topic is anticipated to be addressed within the scope of POPS with other potential field lighting locations within the County.

o Lubber Run Process: concerns on the environmental aspects of the project, but the CB approved the final design.

Upton Hill/NOVA parks will be on the agenda for October 2017.

Meeting Adjourned: 9:23

Next Meeting: October 24, 2017