Fairfax County to revise master plan for Lake Accotink
The Fairfax County Park Authority is beginning the process
of revising the master plan for Lake Accotink Park.
of revising the master plan for Lake Accotink Park.
A public meeting on the plan revision will be held March 14,
7 p.m., at Cardinal Forest Elementary School. Fairfax Board Chair Sharon Bulova;
supervisors John Cook (Braddock), Jeff McKay (Lee), and Pat Herrity
(Springfield); and members of the Park Authority Board are expected to attend.
7 p.m., at Cardinal Forest Elementary School. Fairfax Board Chair Sharon Bulova;
supervisors John Cook (Braddock), Jeff McKay (Lee), and Pat Herrity
(Springfield); and members of the Park Authority Board are expected to attend.
The master plan would likely be completed in 2018, and
funding for new projects would come from the 2020 park bond. A
park bond on the November 2016 ballot is expected to include $1.5 million for Lake
Accotink.
The master plan was first developed in 1964 and had been revised
several times, most recently in 1993.
According to the Park Authority, the plan needs to be amended to reflect
population growth, an increase in the average age of residents, changing
recreational preferences, and aging park facilities.
several times, most recently in 1993.
According to the Park Authority, the plan needs to be amended to reflect
population growth, an increase in the average age of residents, changing
recreational preferences, and aging park facilities.
“Examination of options for addressing the continued
accumulation of silt” caused by upstream suburban development, will be a key focus of the master plan revision process, the Park
Authority states.Siltation has reduced the surface area and depth of the lake, resulting in decreased populations of fish and
invertebrates and more pollution and has made the lake less attractive for
boating and recreational fishing. The lake was dredged in 1984 and 2004 and
will need to be dredged again within the next decade.
accumulation of silt” caused by upstream suburban development, will be a key focus of the master plan revision process, the Park
Authority states.Siltation has reduced the surface area and depth of the lake, resulting in decreased populations of fish and
invertebrates and more pollution and has made the lake less attractive for
boating and recreational fishing. The lake was dredged in 1984 and 2004 and
will need to be dredged again within the next decade.
In addition, the Park Authority sees the master plan revision
as an opportunity to align the plan with the county’s expanded approach to
watershed management. The review will also address park circulation, site
operational needs, access, natural resource management, history and archaeology,
and bike and pedestrian routes.
Friends of Lake Accotink Park “is eager to begin the Lake
Accotink master plan revision process,” says FLAP President Meghan Walker. “Lake
Accotink Park is a beloved neighborhood park that is utilized by many for both
recreational and conservationist purposes. It’s very important that the
community’s needs are considered while determining the future direction of the
park. We look forward to working with the Park Authority during this process.”
Accotink master plan revision process,” says FLAP President Meghan Walker. “Lake
Accotink Park is a beloved neighborhood park that is utilized by many for both
recreational and conservationist purposes. It’s very important that the
community’s needs are considered while determining the future direction of the
park. We look forward to working with the Park Authority during this process.”
Tony Vellucci, the Braddock District representative on the
Park Authority Board, urges residents of the communities surrounding Lake
Accotink Park to get involved in FLAP during the plan revision process.
Park Authority Board, urges residents of the communities surrounding Lake
Accotink Park to get involved in FLAP during the plan revision process.
“There are about 13 distinct entrances to this park and
even more communities that surround it,” Vellucci says. “I am hoping that the
citizens from those communities come together and use FLAP as a vehicle to
organize themselves into committees to address specific needs and wants. For example, those who would like to see a
dog park should get together to help move that initiative along, the same for
trails, outdoor fitness equipment, and the like.”
even more communities that surround it,” Vellucci says. “I am hoping that the
citizens from those communities come together and use FLAP as a vehicle to
organize themselves into committees to address specific needs and wants. For example, those who would like to see a
dog park should get together to help move that initiative along, the same for
trails, outdoor fitness equipment, and the like.”
“We’re going to need lots of committees and volunteers;
it’s a big park,” he says.
it’s a big park,” he says.
Friends of Accotink Creek (FACC) believes the fundamental
principle in revising a master plan for Lake Accotink should be “to defend
natural resources over development and improvements.”
principle in revising a master plan for Lake Accotink should be “to defend
natural resources over development and improvements.”
“The demand for active recreational and sports use of parks
is infinite, but our remaining natural areas are finite. Destruction of irreplaceable
habitat to satisfy demands for active recreation is an unwise course,” FACC states.
is infinite, but our remaining natural areas are finite. Destruction of irreplaceable
habitat to satisfy demands for active recreation is an unwise course,” FACC states.
The group’s recommendations for the Lake Accotink master plan also include
these elements:
these elements:
- Any new construction should result in no net increase in
impervious surfaces and no increase in runoff. - The revision process should consider whether all or part of the parking lot by the dam should be relocated, as it’s been damaged by storm
flooding several times. - The plan should consider removing the dam, as it leads to sediment build-up and blocks the natural migration of aquatic
wildlife. - Removal of invasive alien plant species should be
integrated into all maintenance and planning. - The park should be a showcase for watershed-friendly
practices, providing inspiring examples for property owners. - Requiring parks to produce revenue is inconsistent with
the concept of parks as a public benefit.