CHAPTER 3. OVERVIEW OF EXISTING AND PLANNED PUBLIC SPACES ublic spaces have long been In addition to County-owned land, the public spaces considered a critical element system includes more than 1,200 regional and federal Pin the development of Arlington County’s character. Throughout the past lands and privately held facilities with public access. seventy years, the County has estab- lished a diverse public spaces system Other public space areas within the ic resources are on federal property or which is currently comprised of 1,296 County fall under the ownership of under private ownership. These resourc- acres of park land, indoor recreation federal, state and regional agencies. es – architectural, historic and archaeo- facilities, outdoor active and sports There are approximately 1,052 acres of logical – link the community to its past, facilities, urban public spaces and federal open space, state open space providing a feeling of ordered continuity streetscapes, and cultural and historic primarily along I-66 and Arlington and a sense of history and place. resources. In addition to County-owned Boulevard, and 150 acres of regional land, the public spaces system includes The County offers a broad spectrum of open space within Arlington’s borders. more than 1,200 regional and federal programs and services, including gen- The federal public spaces include the lands and privately held facilities with eral education, fitness, aquatics, art George Washington Memorial Parkway public access. studios, and events for the community, (which includes Spout Run Parkway, along with special programs for seniors, Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary, The public spaces system provides people with disabilities, teens, youth, the Mount Vernon Trail and Gravelly facilities including playgrounds, ath- and programs offered by the Virginia Point), Arlington National Cemetery letic courts, fields, and small open Cooperative Extension such as environ- and the grounds of federal buildings areas within walking distance of most mental forestry, family and consumer and monuments. State public space neighborhoods. Larger public spaces education, and 4-H. consists of roadways and their rights of provide more active facilities within a short drive including lighted athletic fields, community centers, multi-pur- pose trails, large lighted court facilities, and large picnic areas. Natural areas throughout the County provide opportu- nities to escape the hectic urban pace and enjoy the native flora and fauna. Cultural and historic spaces serve as a reminder of the history and cultural heritage of the community and a vibrant offering of performing and visual arts. Urban public spaces offer opportunities for picnicking, street theatre, concerts, water features, landscaping and quiet areas to sit and contemplate. Arlington owns a number of cultural and historic resources. In addition, a rich variety of other cultural and histor- Ballston Mall Arlington, Virginia 23 way, including buffer areas and trails. The Northern Virginia Regional Parks include Potomac Overlook, Upton Hill and the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad multi-use trail. Private open spaces and facilities such as pools and fitness centers are also an essential part of the overall system, typically provided as part of commercial and residential developments or as a private club. The largest private spaces are the Army-Navy Country Club and the Washington Golf and Country Club. Outside the County, a wealth of fed- eral open space is across the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and other local units of government in the Northern Virginia area provide high quality public spaces and facilities to Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center meet demands. Public spaces in these surrounding areas provide additional opportunities for Arlington residents. wellness programs, including Pilates, other community centers, Fairlington A. EXISTING INDOOR yoga, spinning and strength training in and Arlington Mill, are currently being RECREATION FACILITIES classes and with personal trainers. designed. Fairlington will be modern- ized and Arlington Mill will be demol- Arlington has twelve other commu- County-wide and Neighborhood ished and replaced with a new facility. Recreation Centers nity center facilities throughout the Arlington currently has two county-wide County. The table of Arlington’s Public There are three indoor swimming pools facilities, the Thomas Jefferson (TJ) Recreation Centers on the following located at Yorktown, Wakefield and Community Center and the Barcroft page lists the amenities of current cen- Washington, and Lee High Schools. Sports and Fitness Center. Arlington ters. Over the last six years, there has These facilities are operated under built TJ in 1972 and operates it under been a focus on renovating the commu- a joint use agreement with Arlington a “joint use agreement” with Arlington nity centers. Centers at Drew, Carver, Public Schools and are available to Public Schools. In 2000, Arlington built Gunston, Lee and TJ have recently the public during non-school hours. All the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center, been renovated. Langston Brown was three pool facilities include a six-lane which includes a gymnasium, gymnas- demolished and a new facility was 25 yard pool, training tank and support tic center, wellness room, fitness room constructed and opened in 2003. facilities. The County’s pools were all and boxing area. At TJ and Barcroft the Walter Reed was demolished and the built in the early 1970’s and are nearly County offers cutting edge fitness and new facility is under construction. Two 30 years old. The Washington Lee pool 24 Chapter 3. Overview of Existing and Planned Public Spaces / Public Spaces Master Plan will be replaced as part of the upcom- sium space, swimming pools, outdoor Donaldson Run, Fairlington and Overlee. ing high school renovation. fields, and other school space for sum- Other private pools are located at the mer and holiday camps supporting a Washington Golf and Country Club, The Gunston Park air-inflated structure, wide variety of activities and recreation Army Navy County Country Club, two commonly referred to as the “Bubble”, programs. YMCA’s and the Knights of Columbus. provides a 7,200 square foot, multiple- Marymount University has an indoor pool use indoor space for soccer, softball and Private Recreation Facilities and gymnasium. All but two of these baseball. The structure was recently Arlington has numerous private facilities pools are located in North Arlington. replaced in 2003. The facility is heavily that help satisfy the demand for indoor used but is limited to a capacity of 49 recreational activities, but only for those B. OUTDOOR ACTIVE persons. Because it is heated but not who qualify for membership and/or can FACILITIES AND SPORTS air-conditioned, it operates seasonally. afford the cost. Numerous residential complexes include fitness and aquatic Active recreation and sports are vital The County has plans to build a once-in- facilities and some office buildings offer activities that enable the community a-lifetime park at the North Tract which fitness facilities. A number of private to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The County will include a major aquatic, sports and buildings also use their rooftops for pri- provides diamond and rectangular fitness facility. The first phase of the vate open space or recreation. athletic fields, tennis, basketball and development is currently under design. volleyball courts, and other outdoor This center is expected to be consider- Several private sport and health clubs amenities including playground areas, ably larger than existing centers and is operate in Arlington and nearby areas. community canine areas, running slated to include an aquatics facility Among these are the Sport and Health tracks, a skateboard facility, petanque with a leisure pool, warm-water therapy Club, Gold’s Gym and Aerobic Center, courts and a Frisbee golf course. Some pool, splash area, diving well, and 50 Olympus Gym, Bally Total Fitness, and of these facilities are lighted, typically meter fitness pool; fitness zone with The Center Club. Skyline Health and until 11:00 p.m. cardio, weights and climbing wall; Multi- Fitness Center is nearby at Baileys Arlington is on the leading edge of Activity Centers (MACs); indoor track, Crossroads. Military installations at public agencies nationwide in imple and locker rooms and support spaces. Henderson Hall, Fort Myer and the - Pentagon also include fitness facilities. menting the use of synthetic turf fields School Facilities Typically, fitness centers offer cardio- and the creation of dog exercise areas, Six of the community centers are co- vascular equipment, racket sports, bas- which the County calls community located with school facilities: Arlington ketball, and aerobics classes. canine areas. In separate planning Mill, Carver/Hoffman Boston, Drew, processes citizen/staff work groups Gunston, Langston Brown and Thomas There are five private outdoor pools examined these two areas to develop Jefferson. The County currently uses located in the neighborhoods of recommendations on increasing the 22 elementary schools, 5 middle Arlington Forest, Dominion Hills, number of synthetic fields and develop- schools, 3 high schools, the Career Arlington County was honored as #1 ing standards for community canine Center and HB Woodlawn Secondary Sportstown in Virginia as part of Sports areas. More detailed information is School throughout the year for a variety