Public invited to ‘pop-up park’ in Annandale June 3

This parking lot could be transformed into a park space.

The Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization (OCR) and the Fairfax County Park Authority  are hosting a demonstration “pop-up park” on June 3, noon-4 p.m., at the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department.

The county is interested in creating space for temporary programming and special events during weekends and evenings on part of the county-owned parking lot next to the ACCA Child Development Center, between that building and the fire station. The goal is to bring people together and enhance the vibrancy of the community.

The public is invited to stop by the fire station on June 3 to experience the temporary park space, participate in visioning activities on how they would design an innovative gathering spot in central Annandale and suggest programming ideas for the space.

Laura Baker of OCR says it’s going to be “a fun brainstorming session.” There will be children’s activities and tents with information.

OCR will then take the community’s ideas into consideration, craft a concept for the space, and present a plan to the community in the fall.

The park would be temporary and flexible. The space could still be used as a parking lot during weekdays, while it could be used for activities or a civic gathering area during weekends, when portable tables and chairs could be moved into space.

Even when the ACCA childcare center expands into the space formerly occupied by the Annandale Adult Day Center, that portion of the parking lot won’t be needed on weekends. That part of the building is currently being renovated.

OCR created a demonstration pop-up park space at the 2016 Taste of Annandale, and plans to do something similar at the 2018 Taste of Annandale, scheduled for Oct. 2013.

This blog post was revised May 4, 2018.