Analysis of Potential Arlington County Site Options for Neighborhood Elementary Schools
Prepared for
Arlington County Public Schools South Arlington Working Group
Prepared by
Arlington County Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development Department of Parks and Recreation Department of Management and Finance Department of Human Services Arlington Public Libraries
August 2015
Overview This information was compiled by Arlington County Government to provide additional data in support of APS’ South Arlington Working Group (SAWGS) effort to “analyze site options and provide input on related program moves with the overall goals of addressing crowding and enhancing instructional opportunities in South Arlington elementary schools.” SAWGS identified several County‐owned sites in South Arlington as possible options and requested information in the following areas: Funding sources Usage data for each site Any land use or other restrictions, such as resource protection area or historic resource inventory Parks & Recreation Facilities Background Because the identified sites all include Parks & Recreation facilities, the following overview is provided as context for service delivery and demand trends at these sites and across the County. Centers Profiled: Barcroft Park and Sports and Fitness Center, Walter Reed Community Center and Park, Aurora Hills Community Center and Virginia Highlands Park, Gunston Park and Community Center, and Jennie Dean Park, along with 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive. These facilities provide opportunities for senior adult programs, youth and adult classes and sport leagues/teams, youth camps, preschool, theater performances, special events and community meetings and rentals.
These facilities also have 13 playing fields with regularly scheduled use (nine grass and four synthetic turf). The DPR target of annual hours of play on natural grass fields is 800. The target is in place to maintain a consistent level of playability (minimum of 70% turf coverage). The nine grass fields at these centers are heavily used with an average 1,069 annual hours of play. Synthetic playing fields do not have the same limitations. The four synthetice fields ar reserved more than 75% of the DPR managed time each day. For both field types playing time must be divided between scheduled and community uses.
Additionally, these facilities provide the Arlington community the opportunity for drop‐in recreation. For example, two of the most popular community spaces are the rectangular synthetic fields at Gunston and Barcroft, often with over 100 people playing sports each night.
Demand Increase DPR continually works with staff, partners, and community members to manage its facilities and the increased demand for both indoor and outdoor space. DPR has seen sustained growth in Arlington resident participation and rental requests for fields, gyms, and community center rooms. Some examples of system‐wide growth include the following:
. Participation in youth sports run by DPR has increased 43% from FY 2011 to FY 2015. . Reserved space in community centers and fields has increased 56% from FY 2011 to FY 2014. . Youth and adult competitive sports leagues (over 30,000 registrations) have had consistent double digit growth eover th past four years. For example, youth soccer has grown 50% during the period FY 2011 to FY 2015, while youth baseball and softball has increased 45% during the same period. . County camps, classes and other program registrations have increased 75% from FY11 to FY15 (with 55,831 registrations). . Membership in the 55+ Program has reached 5,534, a 16% increase in two years.
Funding Background The identified sites have been funded with a combination of pay‐as‐you‐go (PAYG) and general obligation bonds. PAYG funding is a General Fund appropriation and generally contains no restrictions in use. General obligation bonds are approved by County voters as part of biennial bond referenda. Each bond referenda ballot question lays out the eligible use of the bonds (e.g., parks, transportation, public schools, water and sewer utilities). For example, proceeds from a bond authorized under the water and sewer utilities question cannot be used to finance a parks project (and vice versa). The bond‐financed facility should remain for its intended use through substantial or full amortization of the bonds. With the exception of Jennie Dean Park, the land associated with the identified sites was acquired decades ago and there are no longer any bond‐funding restrictions. However, improvements to the land (including athletic fields, facilities, playgrounds) have been funded with a combination of PAYG and bond funding, and often done in phases over a long period of time. County staff has done preliminary research on each site to identify the history of improvements and associated funding source. Sites that have undergone recent investment (previous 5‐10 years) that was bond‐funded or have approved bond‐ funded plans for the next few years could be problematic if a change in use is desired. Staff would work with the County Attorney’s Office and bond counsel to do a more in‐depth analysis on restrictions and options to address on a case by case basis as needed. Land Use & Related Restrictions The following pages include land use information for each identified site, including zoning, resource protection area (RPA) coverage, and historic resource inventory. County staff is also performing a preliminary analysis of deed restrictions that will be provided if there are any significant issues identified.
Barcroft Park & Sports & Fitness Community Center South Arlington Working Group Prepared by Arlington County Potential Elementary School Site Analysis August 2015 Site Location
Site Information Address 4200 S. Four Mile Run Drive Description Barcroft Park Civic Association None Ownership County Board Acres 66.6 Zoning S‐3A GLUP Public Current Use Park/Community Center Use Permit No Historic Resource Inventory No Distance to Primary Transit Network 0.7 miles Percentage Tree Cover 65% Percentage Resource Protection Area 35%
Site Overview Barcroft Park and Sports and Fitness Community Center is a 65‐acre park that includes four lighted diamond athletic fields, one lighted diamond synthetic turf field, one lighted rectangular synthetic turf athletic field, two lighted tennis courts, a lighted basketball court, a handball court, batting cages, a sand volleyball court, two playgrounds, and a sheltered picnic area. Theo park is als home to the nonprofit Phoenix Bikes. This park also houses the Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center which is home to Arlington’s gymnastics center and also includes a multipurpose gymnasium, boxing training gym, fitness room, and a wellness studio.
This facility has 292 total parking spaces in a deck, lot by the center, and a parking lot near field 6.
Major Site Development: . County Board adopted the Sports Complex Siting Plan (September 1997) and Park Master Plan (December 1999). . Recent Improvements – The two plans have been implemented in four phases: (1) Sports and Fitness Center; (2) 4 lighted diamond fields, lighted community field, restrooms and parking garage; (3) 2 lighted tennis, lighted basketball, playground, picnic area and pedestrian bridge; and (4) stadium diamond field ($5 million partnership with George Washington University). . Future Improvements ‐ Improvements are planned in FY 17 to convert the gymnasium to expand the gymnastics program ein th Sports and Fitness Center and relocate sports programs to other existing gyms. The County Board approved FY15‐FY24 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) identifies $2.5 million in FY 17 for the overall interior and exterior facility maintenance and design/construction to convert the gymnasium for an expanded gymnastics program.
Current Programming Heavily programmed, the facility is home to DPR’s gymnastics team and class programs, adult indoor soccer and adult ball hockey. Organizations, such as the youth baseball and softball leagues, rely heavily on the park for their premier and older age groups.
Facility Reserved Hours*
Gymnastics Room 4,497 Gymnasium 2,504 Wellness Rm 1,151 Indoors Mezzanine 71
Baseball/Softball 7,565 Soccer/Other Rectangular 376 Picnic Shelter 642 Outdoors Tennis 80 *Does not includes hours for community use.
Highlighted Program Registrations Classes 7,593 Indoor Soccer 1,880 Ball Hockey 1,498 Camp 885 Gymnastics Team 159
The facility also sees high drop‐in or community use for its facilities not included in the table. The fitness room had 8,109 visits last year while the synthetic rectangular field averages about 22 players and the playground about 12 children at any given hour during the day. Community and drop in users also attend the park for basketball, hand ball, tennis, and the trail.
The facility is also home to the George Washington University Men’s Baseball Team and Club Baseball Team on the synthetic 90 foot diamond field, Barcroft 6. The Phoenix Bikes manages several youth outreach programs that had 525 participating youth in FY 2015 in addition to bike donations, volunteers, and sales.
Major Facility Users: not including community use on playgrounds, trails, and shelters.
County Programs: External Large Organizational Use: Gymnastics Team Arlington Little League Enjoy Arlington Classes (including Arlington Girls Softball Association gymnastics) Arlington Babe Ruth Ball Hockey, Soccer, and Basketball Arlington Senior Babe Ruth Sport Leagues Arlington Soccer Association Summer Camp George Washington University Therapeutic Programs Arlington Aerials Family Programs Arlington Tigers Fitness Membership Programs Arlington High Schools Drop‐In Sports Camps United Social Sports Civic Associations/Community Meetings Phoenix Bike Shop Major Special Events: First Responders Tournament, Doc Bonaccorso Tournament, Various Regional and State Baseball Tournaments, Atlantic Ten Baseball Championship, Urkupina Festival, Gymnastics' Meets, Ecuadorian Festival, APS Events, DPR Events
Funding Land Acquired more than 20 years ago. No debt outstanding
Facilities Barcroft Sports & Fitness Community Center completed in 2000. Facility debt has been amortized.
2002 Referenda included $5.7 million for Phase I of Barcroft Park construction, including community field, four new baseball/softball fields, parking structure. Additional research would be needed to determine bond amortization and restrictions.
Rectangular synthetic turf field replacement funded from PAYG in FY13‐FY22 CIP ($1.055 million)
GW Baseball field improvements funded by George Washington University in 2011. No County bond funds used.
Gunston Park & Community Center South Arlington Working Group Prepared by Arlington County Potential Elementary School Site Analysis August 2015
Site Location
Site Information Address 1401 28th Street South Description Gunston Park Civic Association Long Branch Creek Ownership County Board Acres 6.23 Zoning S‐3A GLUP Public Current Use Park Use Permit No Historic Resource Inventory No Distance to Primary Transit Network 0.25 miles or less Percentage Tree Cover 12% Existing Building Square Feet 11,607
Site Overview Gunston Park and Community Center is a 10‐acre park with three lighted tennis courts, lighted softball field, lighted basketball court, picnic shelter, rectangular grass field, lighted synthetic turf rectangular field. The facility also includes a large indoor “bubble” synthetic turf field. The center has a public computer lab, conference room, fitness room, gymnasium, three multipurpose rooms, teen lounge, and preschool room. There is a large theater, operated by AED, which provides numerous opportunities to Cultural Affairs performance groups.
This facility’s parking lot will have 95 spaces once construction is complete.
Major Site Development: . Recent Improvements –Addition of a lighted synthetic turf athletic field . Current Improvements – Construction is currently underway for replacement of the basketball court and renovation of the community center/park parking lot . Future Improvements –for the FY15‐FY24 CIP funds the design and construction for replacement of the lighted softball field, fencing, irrigation, site furnishings and landscaping.
Current Programming Gunston Community Center and Park is a joint APS and DPR facility that provides space for several key community programs, which include a preschool, drop‐in community rectangular field (used heavily for soccer), and a theater. In addition to these programs, the facility is programmed throughout the year with a teen program, drop‐in and league sports, classes, and art. Outdoors, DPR estimates thousands of individuals use the diamond field, two rectangular fields, and courts each year.
The Gunston Bubble, and indoor rectangular field is programmed year‐round with adult and youth indoor soccer leagues, youth classes, camps, and is available for community rental.
Major Facility Users: Does not include community use on playgrounds, trails, and shelters.
Facilities Reserved Hours
Multipurpose & Conference Rms 5,310 Gymnasiums 2,419 Arts & Crafts 2,056
Indoors Fitness 1,769 Bubble 1,350 Preschool 1,110 Rectangular Fields* 2,499
Diamond 820
Outdoors Courts 165 *Does not includes hours for community use on the synthetic rectangular field.
Highlighted Program Registrations
Indoor Soccer 1,880 Classes 607 Camp 560 Teen 185 Preschool 26
County Programs: External Large Organizational Use: Enjoy Arlington Classes (including gymnastics) Middle School Sports Softball, Soccer, & Basketball Sport Leagues Arlington Soccer Association Summer Camp Arlington Athletic and Social League Preschool Program Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball Therapeutic Programs Arlington Little League Teen Programs MidTown Softball League Fitness Membership Programs Arlington Bolivian Soccer League Drop‐In Sports Arlington Coed Kicks American Soccer League Arlington Women’s Soccer League NOVA Coaches’ League Old Guys Soccer League United Social Sports Civic Associations/Community Meetings Bangladesh Community Development Arlington County Tennis Association
Major Special Events: Mega Latin Festival
Funding
Land Acquired in 1954. No outstanding debt.
Facilities Recent modernization of basketball courts, lighting, walkways, parking lot resurfacing, site furnishings, ADA, and drainage were PAYG funded ($800,000) as part of FY13‐FY22 CIP. Replacement of synthetic turf soccer field also PAYG funded ($835,000) and completed in FY2011.
Gunston Bubble completed in 1995. Any bond financed costs would be fully amortized.
2002 Referenda included $250,000 of bond funding for furnishings and exterior landscaping at Gunston Community Center. Fully amortized.
Jennie Dean Park South Arlington Working Group Prepared by Arlington County Potential Elementary School Site Analysis August 2015
Site Location
Site Information
Address 3630 27th St S Description Jennie Dean Park Civic Association Nauck Ownership County Board Acres 22 Zoning S‐3A GLUP Public Current Use ACG Park Use Permit No Historic Resource Inventory No Distance to Primary Transit Network 0.7 miles Percentage Tree Cover 30% Existing Building Square Feet Percentage Resource Protection Area 28%
Site Overview Jennie Dean Park is a 12‐acre park with two lighted tennis/pickleball courts, lighted softball field, lighted youth baseball/softball field, basketball court, picnic shelters, and playground (green area on map below). Adjacent to the park is the 3700 South Four Mile Run building which houses DPR’s Scheduling and Registration Office, a theater, and multi‐purpose rooms. Adjacent property to 3700 includes the Old Signature Theatre. Adjoining the park is the Shirlington Park area that includes a fitness trail and dog park. The County has additional acquired parkland (green stripped on map below) that stretches another 4.1 acres along S. Four Mile Run Drive and includes a resource protection buffer along Four Mile Run Stream.
3700 South Four Mile Run Drive is a joint use facility shared between Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation and Arlington Economic Development, housing staff offices and artists in residence.
Jennie Dean Park has 23 total parking spaces and 3700 South Four Mile Run Drive has 40.
Major Site Development: . The County plans to begin a comprehensive planning process for Four Mile Run / Shirlington Crescent in 2016. . A Park Master Plan will be developed for the site in 2016. . Recent Improvements –Removal of the former LaPorte building (3600 Four Mile Run) and restroom plumbing upgrade. . Current Improvements – FY2016 funds are targeted to paint buildings, improve athletic field and fix the parking lot as interim measures . Future Improvements – The FY15‐FY24 CIP allocates $14.3 million for design and construction of Phase I improvements between FY 2018 and FY 2020.
Current Programming Jennie Dean Park has heavy league play on its two diamond fields. The park is also used for drop‐in tennis, basketball, and playground use. Open grass areas around the park are used for Enjoy Arlington classes, Arlington Soccer Association practices, and drop in recreation.
Reserved Facilities Hours 3700 Theater & Studios 10,268
Indoors 3700 Conference Rooms* 959 Diamond Fields 1,867 Auxiliary Field 570
Outdoors Courts & Shelters 117 *Does not include DPR offices or conference room
The neighboring Scheduling/Registration Office and Theater at 3700 S. Four Mile Run drive serves as an office for 30 DPR staff and several community arts programs. The building features two dance studios, multiple conference rooms, a recording studio, three artist studios, multiple rehearsal studios, and a theater. 44 various theater and arts groups eused th building last year.
The dog park is open year round and closes at sunset. This is the largest dog park in Arlington with a sponsor group of nearly 400 members.
Major Facility Users: Does not include community use on playgrounds, trails, and shelters.
County Programs: External Large Organizational Use: Softball Sport Leagues Arlington Little League Baseball DPR Offices & County Meetings Arlington Travel Baseball Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball MidTown Softball League Arlington Soccer Association United Social Sports Theater on the Run Encore Stage and Studio Jane Franklin Dance The American Century Theater The Arlington Players Los Quetzales Dominion Stage AED Camps Shirlington Dogs II
Major Special Events: First Responders Tournament, Doc Bonaccorso Tournament, Various Regional and State Baseball Tournaments, Various Theater Performances
Funding Land Below are the acquisition dates and costs for the various Jennie Dean parcels. These were all funded with GO Bonds issued over various years. Additional research would be needed on the 2006 acquisition to determine bond amortization status and restrictions. Address Cost Acquired Referenda Bond Issue 3806 S Four Mile Run $ 3,050,000 01/25/2006 2004 6/1/2005 2654 S Oakland St 3700 S Four Mile Run $ 2,222,900 12/10/1998 1998 6/1/1997 3660 S 27th St $ 550,000 12/21/1998 1998 6/1/1997 3600 S Four Mile Run $ 3,625,000 07/07/2002 1998 6/18/2001
Facilities Fields have been renovated using PAYG funding for parks maintenance capital. No bond funds used on facilities.
Virginia Highlands Park, Aurora Hills Community Center, and Old Fire Station #5 South Arlington Working Group Prepared by Arlington County Potential Elementary School Site Analysis August 2015
Site Location
Site Information Address 1600 South Hayes Street Virginia Highlands Park, Aurora Hills Community Center & Description Library and Old Fire Station #5 Civic Association Aurora Highlands Ownership County Board Acres 27.50 Zoning S‐3A GLUP Public Current Use Park/Community Center / Library / Storage Use Permit No HRI No Distance to Primary Transit Network 0.25 miles or less Percentage Tree Cover 29% Existing Building Square Feet 43,771 Percentage Resource Protection Area 0%
Site Overview Virginia Highlands Park is an 18‐acre park with six lighted tennis courts, two lighted basketball courts, two lighted softball fields, a volleyball court, a spray park, petanque courts, rectangular grass field, and a lighted synthetic turf field. The Aurora Hills Community Center has a senior lounge and two multipurpose rooms.
Aurora Hills is a joint use facility shared among Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation, Arlington Public Library and the Arlington Fire Department.
This park has 105 total parking spaces.
Major Site Development: . Recent Improvements ‐ Addition of a lighted synthetic turf athletic field, renovation of the grass turf community field, new lighting for the two softball fields, and the addition of a spray playground . Current Improvements ‐ Construction is currently underway for replacement of 6 lighted tennis courts, 2 lighted practice courts, 2 lighted basketball courts and a half court to be used for youth basketball. . Future Improvements – The FY15‐FY24 CIP funds design replacement of the playground, 4 petanque courts, 2 softball fields, picnic shelter, picnic area, gazebo, restroom, walkways, lighting, site furnishings, fencing, irrigation and landscaping. Construction is proposed for funding in FY2017 and FY2018 . The Community Center received lobby upgrades in 2011 and library refreshment in 2012. Future improvements include additional refreshment in the library, refreshment of the community center, and replacement of the lobby restroom including ADA improvements, which are scheduled to begin in late 2015.
Current Programming ‐ Parks Virginia Highlands and the Aurora Hills Community Center sees thousands of individuals each year in its various facilities. The park hosts major sports programs on the diamond fields and rectangular fields. The popular children’s spray park has seen over 50 children per hour on weekends and is well‐used on weekdays by preschool age programs. The tennis courts, one of only two tennis sites considered metro accessible, are popular for the Arlington Adult Tennis League, youth tennis tournaments, and drop in play. In FY 2015, the picnic shelter had 80 reservations.
Facilities Reserved Hours Indoors Aurora Rooms 3,330
Rectangular Fields* 2,178 Diamond Fields 1,276 VA H Courts* * 966 Outdoors Shelter 611
The Community Center serves as a site for DPR’s 55+ program with 242 registered in 17 classes. The center is well used by the community with about 100 hours of scheduled Civic Association Meetings.
Major Facility Users: Does not including community use on playgrounds, trails, and shelters.
County Programs: External Large Organizational Use: Library Arlington Soccer Association Softball Leagues Bolivian Veterans Soccer League Enjoy Arlington Classes Arlington Coed Kicks 55+ Program Arlington County Tennis Association Summer Camp Arlington Women’s Soccer League Drop‐In Sports United Social Sports County Meetings/Trainings Civic Associations/Community Meetings Adult Soccer Clinics
Major Special Events: First Responders Tournament, Arlington ASIST Soccer Tournament, Police Department Charity Softball Tournament
Current Programming ‐ Library Primary groups served: Aurora Hills primarily serves families, seniors, students (college age and post grad), foreign nationals, and new immigrants from China, the former Soviet Union, and Arab states.
Current programming: Story times are offered 2 times per week with about 80 – 100 people attending per week. Kids Clubs, targeted for elementary school aged children, are offered monthly with about 50 people attending. Paws to Read, a program in which kids read out loud to dogs, is offered twice a month, which is capped at 20 per session. English Conversation Club is offered weekly with 18‐ 25 people attending. Monthly book club, which just started, has about 12 ‐15 attendees The library works collaboratively with the senior center to offer tech programs for seniors, which is capped at 12 because of the number of computer. Sessions are monthly.
Aurora Hills Library Hours open per week 52 Hours FY2015 Circulation 153, 736
FY2015 Number of PC User Sessions 17,987 FY2015 Programming attendance 4,696
FY 2015 New Library Card registration 1,793
Current Usage – Fire Warehouse (Old Fire Station #5) 5,300 square foot space used by the Fire Department for storage of various critical items, including fire vehicles, training equipment, emergency preparedness supplies and general fire storage. As discussed during the Community Facilities Study, storage and operational space for County “back of house” functions is in great demand.
Funding
Land No debt outstanding
Facilities Aurora Hills Library & Senior Center built August 1976 from 1969 bond referendum for $1.3 million. No debt outstanding.
$1.9 million bond in FY13‐FY22 CIP (Issued in 2014 GO) for VA Highlands Park Modernization – Full replacement of athletic field sod, new irrigation, site amenities, site circulation, ADA, and construction of six tennis courts, two basketball courts, court lighting on all courts, ADA. Currently underway as of August 2015. Bond still outstanding and could be an issue if any changes are made in use.
The 2014 bond referenda included $1.5 million for the Aurora Hills Complex Interior Renovation, to begin in 2015. This funding could be an issue if there are any planned changes in use.
Walter Reed Community Center and Park South Arlington Working Group Prepared by Arlington County Potential Elementary School Site Analysis August 2015
Site Location
Site Information Address 2909 16th St S Description Walter Reed Community Center and Park Civic Association Columbia Heights; adjacent to Douglas Park and Nauck Ownership County Board Acres 5.9 Zoning S‐3A GLUP Public Current Use Community Center/Park Use Permit No Historic Resources Inventory No Distance to Primary Transit Network 0.25 miles or less Percentage Tree Cover 25% Existing Building Square Feet Percentage Resource Protection Area 6%
Site Overview Walter Reed Community Center and Park has three tennis/pickleball courts, basketball court, garden, playground, 5 multi‐purpose rooms, a senior lounge, wellness studio, public computer lab, conference room, game room, and gymnasium.
Walter Reed is a joint use facility shared between Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Human Services.
This facility has 74 total parking spaces.
Major Site Development: . Recent Improvements – New community center, basketball, playground, perimeter fencing and entry features
Current Programming Walter Reed Community Center houses DPR’s largest 55+ (senior) center that includes programs and congregate meals. DPR served over 5,000 meals in FY 2015 at Walter Reed and had 26,331 participations in its 55+ programs (i.e.; seniors attending the center). Center space is also dedicated to a DHS Adult Daycare facility that serve 20‐25 individuals per day.
Facility Reserved Hours Multipurpose Room 4,920 Senior Lounge & Quiet Room 3,732 Café & Kitchen 1,801 Community Lounge & Game Room 1,687 Wellness Room 1,677
Gymnasium 1,542 Arts & Crafts 1,253 Conference Room 1,077 ADHC Room 441
Highlighted Program Registrations Congregate Meals Served 5,815 Classes 1,448 55+ Programs 727 Camp 56
The center is heavily used by civic associations for community meetings. Over 175 different individuals and groups rented space at this community center in FY 2015.
Major Facility Users: not including community use on playgrounds, trails, and shelters.
County Programs: External Large Organizational Use: DHS Adult Day Care Civic Associations/Community Meetings Congregate Meal Site Arlington County Tennis Association 55+ Programs Condo Associations Enjoy Arlington Classes Basketball Sport Leagues Summer Camp Therapeutic Programs Teen Programs Drop‐In Sports Drop‐In Computer Lab
Major Special Events Arlington County Home Ownership
Department of Human Services Adult Day Program: Licensed Adult Day program for 25 participants, mostly older adults, with developmental and medical disabilities that prevent them from being home alone during the day. Program is open for clients Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 5 pm. 9.25 FTE staff offer services including: - Health care monitoring, - Nursing care and support, - Personal care, - Therapeutic recreation, - Special therapies, - Nutritional guidance, lunch, snacks, and - Support for family and caregivers.
The program’s purpose is to improve the lives of both the participants and their families as the families need a safe place for their loved ones when they go to work during the day. The move to Walter Reed location has been a very useful one for the program. Daily program utilization is up to almost 90% and family caregivers indicate that their quality of life has improved since enrollment in the program.
Program History: Program originally started at Madison Center and expanded in 2006 when the Walter Reed Community Center opened. In 2009 the Madison Center program closed and the two locations combined at the tailored space at Walter Reed. DHS participated in the design process when the Community Center was being plannede to ensur that the program’s space needs would be met. Construction was funded by Parks and Recreation bonds and the fit out used PAYG funds.
Tailored Space Design: The space was designed with large accessible participant areas for participant meals and activities; special door control alarm systems for participants who may wander; restrooms with a shower and dressing area to assist participants during the day; a nurse’s office; and staff offices that are in sight of program activities ine th participant areas. The program also shares a kitchen with the DPR senior lunch program down the hall where meals are reheated. Since the program has been located at the Walter Reed Community Center several improvements have been made to the space: automatic door openers for participants with ambulation difficulties; power operated blinds for tall windows; frosting of external glass doors to eliminate participant concerns; and sound cushioning panels on walls to help the participants hear better when using main program area with tall ceilings.
Funding
Land County has owned since at least 1951. No debt outstanding.
Facilities Walter Reed Community Center was funded with approximately $9.4 million of GO bonds and completed in May 2006. Bonds were issued in Series 2001 (2000 Referenda) and Series 2004 (2002 Referenda). Additional research would be needed to determine bond amortization status and any restrictions. PAYG funds were used for fit‐out of the DHS Adult Day Program.
Playground renovations at Walter Reed included in 2002 Referenda. One of five playgrounds sharing a total of $900,000 of bond funding. Additional research would be needed to determine bond amortization status.