Long-range park planning document addresses park issues in Annandale

Among the Fairfax County Park Authority’s long-range plans for Annandale are recommendations for new trails and new connections between existing trails, upgraded facilities at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Audrey Moore RECenter, the preservation of historic sites, and much more. These proposals are included in the draft report, Great Parks, Great Communities.

This project was initiated in 2007 to develop a comprehensive plan to guide park planning, land acquisition, and resource protection in Fairfax County through 2020. The draft report includes a long list of recommendations and strategies addressing the specific needs of 14 areas within the county, based on input from community organizations and individual citizens, organized into eight themes. Members of the public can submit comments online.

• Consider creating new trails and new connections between existing trails.
• Develop a side connection from the Cross County Trail to and through Wakefield Chapel Park.
• Implement the planned stream valley trail in Turkeycock Run Stream Valley.
• Explore opportunities to make connections between Holmes Run Stream Valley Park and Mason District and Roundtree parks.
• Develop an internal trail system within Pine Ridge Park.
• Make improvements to the trail system integrating Annandale Community Park with the surrounding neighborhoods, including improved connections between the park and Adams Walk/Championship Drive neighborhood and creating a permanent water crossing for the trail connecting the park with Lafayette Village.
• Identify key historic elements and highlights associated with the Braddock History project that are located near or along park trails that could be linked into a theme. A unique thematic connection for the Annandale District could include transportation history as the district includes remnants of the Manassas Gap Railroad, other railways, Little River Turnpike and Braddock Roads that have served mobility in the district for centuries.
  
• Include Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Lake Accotink as significant nodes along a natural areas interpretive trail within the county.
• Work with the Department of Transportation to improve bus service to parks in the Annandale Planning District.  

Community building

• Consider creating a dog park at Lake Accotink, which already has several dog-related activities, such as obedience classes, a dog agility course, and a Halloween festival for dogs. 
• Identify appropriate facilities and locations for large-scale, all-day gatherings desirable to the many ethnic groups who reside and visit in the district. “Roundtree Park has evolved into a community gathering location for primarily Hispanic residents from the region who plan impromptu large scale, all day gatherings there,” the report states. “This park, however, is located in a residential area and does not have proper facilities to support large scale gatherings.”  
• Strengthen partnerships among parks, schools, and libraries nearby to facilitate shared educational, interpretive and social programs. Poe Terrace, which is located next to George Mason Regional Library, is undeveloped, but plans are under way to create trails, picnic area, and tot lot. Stream restoration and cultural resource interpretation are also planned at this site. Other opportunities for shared programs include Ossian Hall Park, which is next to Annandale High School, and Willow Woods Park, which is next to Canterbury Woods Elementary School.

Service delivery

• Renewal and replacement options should be assessed for the Audrey Moore RECenter, which is nearly 30 years old. 
• The heavily-used Hidden Oaks Nature Center needs upgrades to restrooms, office and storage space, and visitor services areas, as well as a new picnic shelter/outdoor classroom. 
• A tot lot for children ages 2-5 should be considered at Lake Accotink Park. 
• The horseshoe pits at Wakefield Park and Chapel Acres parks are underutilized and could be converted to other uses. For example the horseshoe area at Wakefield could be used to expand the skate park. 
• Parking facilities should be expanded at Wakefield Park and Lake Accotink, and the roads and trails at Hidden Oaks need improvement. 

Land acquisition

• The plan calls for the acquisition of parkland that will support trail connections consistent with a planned trail network. Most of the parkland in Annandale was acquired in the 1960s, and since then, “an almost complete build-out of the district has occurred,” the report says, offering limited opportunities for adding to existing parking.  
• The development of urban parks in central Annandale should help create a sense of place, spur redevelopment, and serve residents, workers, and visitors. 
• Opportunities should be sought to protect remnants of the Manassas Gap Railroad that are appropriate for park preservation. The railroad was started in 1852 and never completed due to the outbreak of the Civil War. Several remnants can be found on Park Authority property and private property. 
• Several 18th and 19th century mill sites and Native American sites are located in Annandale and should be evaluated to determine if they are appropriate for acquisition and protection. 
• Private property owners should be encouraged to place conservation easements on their property to protect historic and cultural resources. 
• Proposed highway improvements should consider wildlife crossings under the Capital Beltway and Little River Turnpike. 
• Efforts should be make to acquire and protect more natural areas through purchase, donation, development dedications, or conservation easements, “especially large tracts connecting to other natural areas and those containing unique or significant natural resources.” 

Resource interpretation

• The Park Authority should seek a partnership with George Mason Library to provide interpretive exhibits at the library. Additional interpretative exhibits could be developed at Hidden Oaks, Lake Accotink, and the Audrey Moore RECenter. 
• Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks should be evaluated to see if similar safe natural exploration areas for children should be created at other locations.  

Stewardship

• The historic integrity of Wakefield Chapel, built in 1899, should be maintained and it should continue to be available for rent for private events. 
• Existing stream corridors, linkages, and watersheds need to be protected, and new linkages should be provided between remaining public and private natural areas. 
• Permanent resource natural resource protection zones should be designated on parkland, and the upland forest habitats at Lake Accotink and Wakefield should be preserved. These areas are under threat from development, invasive plant species, and deer. 
• Existing watersheds have few or no storm water controls, resulting in severe degradation from excessive runoff. The Park Authority should work with the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services and private land owners to capture and treat storm water.  
• Property owners should be encouraged to adopt wildlife and water-friendly landscaping practices to improve water quality and habitat. 
• Coordinated assessment, research, and documentation of natural resources on public and private properties in Annandale needs to be carried out. 
• Non-native invasive plant management and habitat restoration should be expanded, and the public should be educated on the problems associated with invasive plant species.  
• The tree canopy should be expanded by encouraging tree planning on private land, incorporating natural landscaping on parkland, and controlling threats. 
• Any additions to or replacement of the Audrey Moore RECenter should incorporate green building techniques and materials.