NOVA Parks News
Civic Engagement
Last night, Paul Gilbert, NOVA Parks Executive Director, spoke with the Boulevard Manor Civic Association in Arlington, VA. This was the 6th or 7th time NOVA Parks have been before this group since 2016. Upton Hill Regional Park is in this Civic Association, and all of these meetings have been to talk about a set of improvements that will update the park in essential ways. NOVA Parks has also updated and met on several occasions with Dominion Hills Civic Association, which is next to the park.
The input we have received from these community groups has been tremendous and has helped us to tune this project. We have also partnered with the Park & Rec Commission and Urban Forestry Commission as we have gone through the process.
There have been compromises with sometimes conflicting interests, but the final result will be amazing. The big attraction will be the best ropes course in over a 100-mile radius (and beyond). This will be a real destination! In the process, the parking lot is being substantially improved to exceed County standards and manage stormwater in a cutting edge way. A net increase in trees and habitat has occurred, with more to come. The lower park area that needed updating will have a whole new look and feel with accessible pathways, and a new shelter and playground. It is a big win-win for the community!
Parking lot and pathways are going in now. The playground and shelter will be added this summer, and the new climbing tower will be installed in the fall. Thanks for all the community support and dialog that has made this possible.
