Proposed Park Design At The Fellows Property

Summary

The design for a new park at the Fellows property, across from Oak Street Elementary School, was presented during the September 13, 2023, meeting of the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. The design focuses on conservation, environmental stewardship, and environmental education, as well as spaces for communal gathering.

History of the Fellows property

Following the passing of Mrs. Lydia “Betty” Fellows, the City of Falls Church acquired this property at 604 S Oak Street from her estate in 2019 in a competitive bid against developers. (The price was not disclosed, but the City’s Financial Report for 2020 showed a land asset increase that suggested a price of about $4.6 million.) The property comprises about 1.9 acres, and originally included a small house that was not on the historical register and a functioning well. There are several mature trees and shrubs that currently support a variety of wildlife – birds, deer, foxes. The arborist identified four magnificent trees that are now designated City Specimen Trees. Neighbors report that the summer firefly display is a sight to behold.

Unfortunately, when the land was put up for sale, a section of the wooded land stretching from the Fellows Court cul-de-sac to Parker Avenue was cleared to install a stormwater structure in preparation for the property to be subdivided for home development.

In the spring of 2020, the City removed all structures from the property.

Following the acquisition of the property, the City conducted surveys and meetings with City residents and various boards and commissions to solicit input to guide the development of this property. The list of meetings and survey results can be found on the City webpage for the Fellows Park. From the outset, it was clear that the community preferred that the property be restored to a more “natural state”, allowing activities with minimal impact on the environment, such as walking and wildlife observation. This response accounted for more than 82% of 379 submitted surveys.

A park with fruits, nuts and berries

It was easy to see the natural beauty of this property. It is considered a natural resource area, to be conserved, protected, and provided for public use and enjoyment of its rich natural resources. The Fellows Property will be designated as a City Park under the “Parks for People Plan” Section of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The name of the park is yet to be decided.

The plan is modest and is shown in the diagram below. This park is distinct from other parks in the City in that it will have fruit and nut trees and a berry patch to show the importance of natural resources to indigenous people and early settlers. The plan leaves large sections of the property as it is.

Acknowledging budget practicalities, the proposal divides the plan into two parts – essential elements and desirable amenities. The essential elements are necessary for the creation of this new City Park. The desirable amenities realize the potential of this park to educate our children about the importance of our natural resources. The essential elements are projected to cost $1.1 million, and the desirable amenities require another $0.6 million.

Essential park elements

1. A sidewalk and retaining wall will be needed along Parker Avenue to promote accessibility.  The sidewalk on S Oak Street will also need to be improved.

2. The park entrance will be located on the corner of Fellows Court and S Oak Street.  A porous path will be constructed from here to the center of the park, the communal gathering area. This location was chosen because it would require minimal grading for constructing an ADA-compliant path into the park. The contour lines on the diagram above show that a relatively level path can be constructed. It would also cause minimal disturbance to the trees.

3. Provide appropriate plumbing so that the existing well can be used for irrigation in the park.

4. Remove invasive species from the dedicated natural preserve. This area also acts as a buffer between the neighboring houses and the park.

5. Replant the cleared area with a grove of hickory trees and paw paw trees.  Also, plant a berry patch. These nuts, fruits, and berries can be harvested by the community.

6. Rain Garden – Even though stormwater run-off is not an issue on this property, installing a rain garden here can provide benefits for the area and obtain nutrient credits for the City. It can be constructed to support the educational goals of this park.

Desirable amenities

1. A picnic shelter where the old garage once sat and a raised platform where the house sat. The platform can be used for performances and exercise groups.

2. A pump or fountain for the well

3. Hidden animals along a trail for a scavenger hunt

4. Enhance the rain garden with logs and stepping stones

5. Public art and benches

6. Solar lighting along the sidewalks

What happens next

The design for the park needs to be approved by the Planning Commission. Then an architect and engineering firm will be hired to provide a more detailed plan and costing. Sufficient funds to complete the work will need to be allocated during the annual budgeting process. The City has indicated on its website that construction is planned to begin in the summer of 2024.

References:

September 13, 2023, Recreation and Parks Advisory Board meeting video, https://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/player/clip/2414?view_id=2&redirect=true&h=8cad100f7251bf1f8f05ce12c32bb3eb This meeting video contains the agenda and will not display properly on a mobile device.