Park Development Division

Overview for Sports

Commission

October 27, 2016

Parks and Recreation, Park Development Division Organizational Chart

Park Development Division Chief

(LGrandle)

Planning and Comprehensive Projects Studio

Studio Director (EBeach)

Long Range Planning Team

1 Principal Planner Supervisor (ILazic)

1 Associate Planner (BHeim)

1 Landscape Architect (JAnkoma-Sey)

Comprehensive Projects Team

1 Principal Planner Supervisor (SMcPartlin)

1 Principal Planner (KThomas)

1 Associate Planner (MRivero)

1 Associate Planner (DProbus)

1 Landscape Architect (Vacant)

1 Long Bridge Park Manager (DHusson)

Comprehensive Projects Team

1 Construction Manager Supervisor (Vacant)

1 Construction Manager (SLucas)

Neighborhood Conservation and Facilities Renovation Studio

Studio Director (BGrullon)

Neighborhood Conservation Team

1 Landscape Architect (Searly)

1 Landscape Architect (KVonBedow)

1 Construction Manager (BParker)

Facilities Renovation Team

1 Landscape Architect (JSerck)

1 Landscape Architect (AWohler)

1 Construction Manager (TBoyd III)

Asset Program Manager

(RCapper)

3

Parks Maintenance Capital

• Funds the replacement of major renovation of

outdoor elements of park and recreation facility

assets

• Program includes athletic fields and courts,

lighting, playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms,

site amenities, trails, parking and specialty

facilities such as the skate park

• Program also includes accessibility, safety and

storm water improvements as well as design and

construction administration

4

Parks Maintenance Capital

• Original life cycle assessment completed in

2008-2009. DPR has a new consultant that will

be updating the inventory and linking capital

assets with the operational maintenance

• DPR continues our longstanding practice of

bundling park amenities within a project.

Achieves cost savings and efficiencies, supports

a more cohesive civic engagement process and

causes less disruption for park users

• Total 10-year Budget - $93.143 million

5

Parks Maintenance Capital

Key Accomplishments for FY2015 Program

• Tuckahoe athletic fields (Completed, Open Spring 2017)

• Stratford athletic field and courts (In Design)

• Trail Modernization (Under Construction)

• Fairlington bundled project (In Design)

• Benjamin Banneker bundled project (In Design)

• Life Cycle Assessment update (In Progress)

6

Parks Maintenance Capital

Key Accomplishments for FY2016 Program

• Dawson Terrace bundled project (In Design)

• Virginia Highlands bundled project (In Design)

• Trail Modernization (In Design)

• Fairlington bundled project (In Design)

• Gunston athletic field (In Design)

• Bluemont athletic field (Under Construction)

7

Parks Maintenance Capital

FY17 Approved Projects

• Powhatan Springs Park: design and construction for replacement

of the skate park including demolition, site work, drainage, new

skate park, signage, ADA parking

• Henry Clay Park: design and construction for replacement of

basketball court, playground, athletic field, picnic shelter, site

circulation, site furnishings, and fencing including demolition, site

work, drainage, landscaping

• Madison Manor Park: design and construction for replacement of

basketball court, playground, athletic fields, picnic shelter,

parking, site circulation, site furnishings, and fencing including

demolition, site work, drainage, landscaping

• Wakefield HS Stadium Lights: design and construction for new

MUSCO lights. Will be cost shared with APS

• Capital Assets Program: funding for program manager

• Field Fund Program: fees assessed for rectangular and diamond

sports

8

Synthetic Turf Program

• Maintain the County’s capital investment in

synthetic fields

• Synthetic turf needs replaced every eight

(8) years

• Current inventory is 15

• CIP program goal is to have 20 fields in the

inventory

• Public Spaces Master Plan will help inform

CIP as to where 4 new TBD fields will be

located. Also new field at Wilson

School/RHP+

• Total 10-year Budget - $29.728 million

9

Synthetic Turf Program

Key Accomplishments for FY2015 Program

• W&L Stadium Field (Complete)

• Synthetic Turf Infill Alternative Study (Complete)

10

Synthetic Turf Program

Key Accomplishments for FY2016 Program

• Greenbrier Park Field (Complete)

• Williamsburg/Discovery Fields (Complete)

11

Parks Land Acquisition and Open Space Program

• Need to have resources on hand that

allows the County to strategically acquire

property for parks and open space

• Acquisitions guided by the Public Spaces

Master Plan. PSMP is currently being

updated

• Program funds include cost of acquisition

as well as surveying, appraisals,

environmental assessments, demolition,

site restoration and project management

• Total 10-year Budget - $15 million

12

Parks Land Acquisition and Open Space Program

Key Accomplishments for FY2015 and FY16 Program

• Acquired 6600, 6608 and 6016 N. 18th Street (Benjamin

Banner Park)

• Acquired 2822 S. Arlington Ridge Road (Lang St.

Community Gardens)

• Acquired 2827 and 2833 N. Harrison Street (Chestnut Hills

Park)

• Acquired donated parcels adjacent to I-66 Trail

• Approved future acquisition of new Three Oaks Park in

Rosslyn, developer dedication in fee (end of developer’s

Phase 2)

• Additional property currently under consideration

13

Park Master Plans

• The Park Master Plan Program provides

for the construction of new park facilities

and major upgrades or renovations of

existing parks that are beyond the purview

of the Parks Maintenance Capital program

• Development and renovation efforts are

targeted for heavily used parks and newly

acquired park land

• Projects may also be the result of site

plans and Transfer Development Rights

• Projects have an adopted park master

plan, are identified in the Public Spaces

Master Plan, or are identified in sector or

other County planning document

• Total 10-year Budget - $59.180 million

14

Park Master Plans

What’s Coming Up for FY2017 & FY2018

• Long Bridge Phase II (Aquatics Health & Fitness Facility

and surrounding 10.5 acres of park)

• Jennie Dean Phase I Design (following the master plan

process currently underway)

• Tyrol Hills Final Phase (restroom, picnic shelter, plaza)

• Crystal City 15th Street (new park)

15

Park Master Plans

Out Year Projects

• Arlington Boathouse

• Crystal City Parks and Open Space

• Drew

• Four Mile Run Near-Stream Improvements

• Four Urban Parks in Ballston-Virginia Square

• Glebe and Randolph Park

• Jennie Dean

• Mosaic Park Phase 2

• Quincy (in conjunction with Central Library)

• Rosslyn Highlands (RHP+)

16

Summary

• Parks Maintenance Capital Program will continue to refine

“catch up” projects versus long term “keep up.” Critical to this

effort will be the major update to the Parks Maintenance Capital

Asset Database in 2017

• Synthetic Turf Program will continue to replace fields on

scheduled eight (8) year replacement cycle. Need to identify

locations and potential partners for four (3) new fields.

Challenges and opportunities include increasing the number of

fields beyond the programmed 20 fields, determining which

additional fields will be synthetic, and discussion of potential to

convert diamond and multi-use fields

17

Summary

• Parks and Open Space Land Acquisition Program will

become more strategic with the updating of the Public Spaces

Master plan

• Park Master Plan Top Priority Projects for FY17 and FY18

focus on undertaking design and construction for key Board

initiatives at Long Bridge, Jennie Dean, Tyrol Hills, and Crystal

City. All top priority projects are previously approved County

Board initiatives

Bluemont Park

Field #3 Renovations & Trail Connections

Department of Parks and Recreation

October 27, 2016

Overview

• Capital Maintenance Project

– July 2016 – Board approved construction contract

• Project Goals

– Bring field up to current design standards

– Safe Routes to School Connection

– Regulatory Requirements

• Budget

– Diamond Field Design & Construction ($583,200)

– Safe Routes to Schools ($135,000)

• Field Use (Field #3)

– Permit takes priority

– FY 2016 - 3,646 Countywide youth baseball participants

– FY 2016 – 1,019 hours reserved on Bluemont #3 (9 months/year,

Weekdays – 5pm-dusk, Weekends – 8:30/9am - dusk)

2

Community Engagement

Engagement

• March 2 – Open House

• October 5 – Community Listening Session (96 attendees

signed in/ 125+ attended)

• October 5 – 25 - Online Public Comment (461 respondents

as of Oct. 25)

• October 25 – Park and Recreation Commission

• October 27 – Urban Forestry and Sports Commission

Website

• February 17, 2016 – Project details posted online

• October 26 – Q&A posted online

• October 26 - Revised project scope posted online 3

Public Feedback

Overarching Themes

• Field Usage

– Community divided between need for upgraded ballfields and

need for preserving open and multi-use spaces.

• Fencing

– Advocates both for and against fencing.

– Key concern from advocates against fencing was to maintain an

open space feel and usage.

– Advocates in support of fencing identified the integrity of

baseball and safety as key factors.

4

Public Feedback (Continued)

• Stormwater Mitigation

– Interest in moving vegetated filter strip to sides of field.

– Interest in moving stormwater to another location within the park.

• Community Engagement Process

– Concern about the community process for this project (as well as

other projects throughout the county).

– Lack of confidence or trust that input would be taken seriously by

county staff.

– Lack of signage and information available about the public

meetings and opportunities to provide feedback.

5

6

Existing Conditions

Looking from N. Manchester St.

7

Existing Conditions

Looking from N. Manchester St.

8

Existing Conditions

Looking from Four Mile Run Trail

Project Elements

• ADA Accessibility

Improvements (new)

• Backstops

• Bleachers

• Drainage

• Fencing – 830 Linear

Feet (entire field) (new)

– Infield Fence – 4’ High

– Outfield Fence – 8’ High

• Irrigation (new)

• Vegetated Filter Strip (incl. 90 Trees)

(new)

• Sod

• Bullpens (new)

• Signage

• Site Circulation

• Site Furnishings

• Safe Routes to School Trail

Connection (separate funding) (new)

Approved Project Scope

9

Bluemont Park – Field #3 Context

10

11

Bluemont Park – Field #3 Context

• Stormwater management required by County code

(Ch. 60) and State code.

• State sets the performance standards, computational

methods, menu of stormwater management facility

options and specifications.

• Both impervious and turf surfaces must be managed.

Stormwater Regulatory Overview

Approved Project Scope

12

• Outfield fence is among multiple other project

improvements to bring diamond field up to current play,

safety, and accessibility standards.

• DPR design staff and DES stormwater staff worked

together to identify a cost-effective and context-

sensitive stormwater quality compliance solution for

the project – the vegetated filter strip.

• Outfield fence also meets the requirements for a

physical barrier between the active play area and the

vegetated filter strip.

Stormwater Regulatory Requirements

Bluemont Field

Approved Project Scope

13

• Works well with overall space available.

• Achieves consistency with RPA requirements and

objectives- the only stormwater management facility

type that can be located in an RPA.

• Preserves open space outside the RPA on either side

of the field.

• Requires least amount of grading and drainage

piping.

• Meets all State requirements for design.

• Supports the County’s tree canopy and natural

resource management goals.

Vegetated Filter Strip

Approved Project Scope

14

15

• Reduce the amount of fencing on field #3 by

approximately 20% (from 830 to 668 linear feet).

– 162 linear feet of fencing removed along the first and third base

lines.

– Outfield fence serves as barrier between diamond field activities

and vegetative filter strip.

– Outfield fence will bring field #3 up to current standards.

– Fencing on field #3 will safely keep ballfield separated during

permitted activities.

• Reduce outfield fence height by 50% (from 8’ to 4’ high with safety

pad/cap).

– Maintains a level of open access to field.

• All other project elements consistent with approved

project scope.

Revised Project Scope

16

17

Bluemont Park – Field #3 Context

Next Steps

1. Brief PR, Sports, and Urban Forestry Commissions

2. County Manager update at November 9 County Board

recessed meeting

3. County Manager will look for ways to improve

community engagement on projects countywide

– Staff to inventory the types of capital projects and current

community engagement processes or protocols.

– Staff to make recommendations to County Manager on process

improvements.

– County Manager to present options for criteria for different

community engagement opportunities in early 2017.

18

Gunston Park

Diamond Field Renovation

October 27, 2016

Aaron Wohler

Park Development

Arlington County Parks and Recreation

2

Gunston Diamond Field Renovation

Today’s Meeting

• Background

• Demographic Changes

• Opportunity to Partner with Arlington Sports

Foundation

• Project Comparison

– Natural vs Synthetic Turf

• Community Feedback

3

Background

• Parks Maintenance Capital Project– Funded FY 2016

– Design and Construction $1.4 M

• Project Goals– Bring Field Up To Current Design Standards

– Decrease Impact to Existing Trees

– Meet Regulatory Requirements

4

Background

5

Background

Looking from 28th Street

• Permit takes priority

• Primary use - adult softball

• Programmed 635 hours in

FY2016, 8 months/year

• APS uses during school day

• DPR uses after school,

weekends, summer months

• 5:00pm-10:45pm weeknights

• 9:00am – 10:45pm Saturday

• 12:00pm – 10:45pm Sunday

Background

6

Background

7

Existing Elements Proposed Elements

Backstop Backstop

Bleachers Bleachers

Dugouts Dugouts

Fencing Fencing

Site Furnishings Site Furnishings

Field Lighting Field Lighting

Signage Signage

Storage Storage

Drainage Drainage

Accessibility Improvements

Pedestrian Lighting

Batting Cage

Stormwater Requirements

8

Background

Stormwater Requirements

Regulatory Overview

• Stormwater management required by County code

(Ch. 60) and State code.

• State sets the performance standards, computational

methods, menu of stormwater management facility

options and specifications.

• Both impervious and turf surfaces must be managed.

• Stormwater pollution reduction (Ch. 60).

9

Background

Demographic Changes

• Arlington County population continues to grow

– 12 years growth: 2002-2014: 190k to 220k (+ 14%)

– Projected growth: 2015 – 2030: 220k to 283k

(+25%)

– 25% increase = approx. 27,500 youth participants in

outdoor sports by 2025

• 35 diamond fields county-wide

– 6 youth only diamond fields

– 3,646 youth baseball participants in FY 2016

10

PROPOSAL TO CONVERT GUNSTON DIAMOND FIELD #1 TO SYNTHETIC TURF

Arlington Sports Foundation (ASF)

Greg Patton

Executive Director

ASF Mission & VisionASF local non-profit, 501(c)(3) Organization

Mission Serve as charitable, community based organization to advocate and raise funds for capital improvements to sports fields and facilities in Arlington County

Vision Become an integral partner with Arlington County/DPR, local youth and adult athletic leagues regarding existing and future athletic field renovations and development◦ Work closely with Arlington Youth Sports Organizations to: Advocate and build consensus for improved youth athletic field conditions Renovations to existing athletic fields and facilities New project development in DPR pipeline

◦ Provide additional resources to offset County/DPR Capital Improvement Costs

12

ASF Background• Youth Field Petition (Signed by youth sports groups

November 2015)• Overall goal of the “Youth Field Petition” is to

increase synthetic turf capacity of multi-sport, multi-season, multi-configuration fields:

• Safe fields available all the time (No weather cancellations)• Increased utilization Ability to allow kids to have

practices/games without concern regarding field availability/playability

• Expand athletic field usability• Rectangle and Diamond Sports Groups are working together

(Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Flag Football, Youth Football, Lacrosse, YULA)

• Discussed opportunity to convert Diamond Field at Gunston to synthetic turf (May 2016)

13

ASF ProposalCurrent Goal GUNSTON Project Enter into a partnership with DPR re: diamond field renovation via LOI and MOA

Proposal Contribute funding towards installation of synthetic turf

◦ Unique opportunity to reconfigure this field to allow for multiple youth sports groups to be able to use this field throughout the year (multiple diamond configurations, removable mound, can also serve as a rectangle field(s)

◦ Synthetic turf enables field to remain open five months mid-November to mid-March.

◦ Equivalent of 880.75 hours of available field time (prime time hours)

14

ASF FundraisingFunding Sources

◦ Donations $100,000+, contingent upon local diamond leagues coming together and supporting synthetic project renovation

◦ DPR Field Funds $100,000+◦ ASF Board◦ Campaign to local small businesses, foundations, and

individuals in November and December◦ Possible additional support from stakeholder leagues

Commitment of Funds ◦ ASF to DPR January 2017

15

Natural Turf

• Bermuda grass / Sod

• Underdrain System

(simple)

• Amended Soil and Infield

Mix

• Irrigation

• SWM Bio-retention

Facility

• Artificial Grass

• Underdrain System

(complex)

• Edge Restraint (concrete

curb)

• Infill

• SWM Storage Facility (stone, piping, control structure,

appurtenances)

16

Project Comparison

Synthetic Turf

Natural Turf

• Field Use

– 1,899.75 available DPR

hours

• Budget

– $1.4 Million

• Field Use

– 2,780.75 available DPR

hours

• Budget

– $ 1.77 Million (ASF Funding

Required - $370K)

17

Project Comparison

Synthetic Turf

18

Community Feedback

Public Engagement Process (2 Months)• Discuss and Record Community Input

• Present and Discuss Final Conceptual Design

• Agree on Final Design

Improvements• Secure Funding for Synthetic Option (January)

• Finalize Drawings / Plans (3 Months)

• Permitting (2-3 Months)

• Bidding / Board Approval (2 Months)

• Begin Construction (Fourth Quarter 2017)

19

Next Steps

• Community Meeting #1 – November 9, 2016

– Present initial concept, discuss community input

• Prepare Final Concept

– Based on Community Input

• Community Meeting #2

– Present Final Concept Design

20

Questions?

• Questions or comments?

• Go to parks.arlingtonva.us and search Gunston

Park Project for updates and to get on listserv

for updates.

Resources for Sports Commission Members

Public Engagement/Board/Commission Info Use these pages for information on how to engage with the staff, the board, find information/services,

and more.

Public Engagement

Topic Background Website

Engage Arlington Homepage

https://topics.arlingtonva.us/engage/

Directory of Services A-Z directory of services https://services.arlingtonva.us/

Open Data Portal Demographics, locations, indicators, and other data sets

https://data.arlingtonva.us/home/

Staff Directory Partial listing of staff names/phone/emails

https://departments.arlingtonva.us/staff-directory/

Report a Problem https://topics.arlingtonva.us/reportproblem/

Arlington Today Listing of public events across the county. Can sort/filter by topics, date, location, etc. Can create an account to register

https://today.arlingtonva.us/

County Board Information

Topic Background Website

Speak at a Board Meeting

Instructions for speaking at board meeting, schedule, etc.

https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/speaking-procedures/

Submit Comments Online

For county board comments

https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/comment-form/

Open Door Mondays Opportunity to chat with a Board Member on any topic- see schedule online

https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/open-door-mondays/

Commission Resources

Topic Background Website

Commission Homepage

https://commissions.arlingtonva.us/

Commission Handbook

Handbook laying out roles, responsibilities, etc. for commission members

https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2014/02/Advisory-Group-Handbook-2014.pdf

Budget & Finance Resources Use this information to access pages relating to budget, capital improvement plans, and bond referenda.

Budget

Topic Background Website

Budget/Finance Page Main budget page https://budget.arlingtonva.us/

Detailed Budget Info (current FY budget and archives)

Search current budget and previous year information

https://budget.arlingtonva.us/budget/

Budget Process Written overview of budget process

https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/10/Budget-Process.pdf

Budget Cycle Graphic laying out complete budget process

https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2013/10/Budget-Cycle-Graphic.pdf

Budget Events/Calendar

Listing of all upcoming budget events

https://budget.arlingtonva.us/events/

Budget/CIP Public Hearing Sign Up

https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/speak-budget-tax/

Budget Public Hearing Procedures

https://countyboard.arlingtonva.us/meetings/budget-tax-rate-procedures/

Capital Improvement Plan

Topic Background Website

Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

Main CIP page https://budget.arlingtonva.us/cip/

Current CIP FY2017-FY2026 Capital Improvement Plan

https://budget.arlingtonva.us/proposed-fy-2017-fy-2026-capital-improvement-plan/

General Government Section- CIP

General Government is the location for most Parks and Recreation information.

https://arlingtonva.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/18/2016/05/C-GENERAL-GOVERNMENT_revised-web-1.pdf

APS Capital Improvement Plan

CIP info for Arlington Public Schools (separate from County Government)

https://www.apsva.us/budget-finance/cip/

Bond Referenda

Topic Background Website

Bond Referenda Main Bond Page https://budget.arlingtonva.us/bond-referenda/

Projects Use these pages to check on a project status, find information about master plans, and more.

Projects

Topic Background Website

Project/Planning page Main county project & planning page

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/

Park Project Page Main park project listing https://projects.arlingtonva.us/types/parks/

Plans & Studies (All County)

Comprehensive Plans, land use & urban design, CIP, Parks and Open Spaces, and more

https://projects.arlingtonva.us/plans-studies/

DPR/Sports Information Use these pages for Department of Parks and Recreation specific information as well as individual sport

information.

DPR

Topic Background Website

DPR Homepage Main DPR page https://parks.arlingtonva.us/

Find a Park Find any park across Arlington- able to sort/filter by location, amenity, etc.

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/find-a-park/

DPR Events https://parks.arlingtonva.us/events/

Sports/Facilities/Fields

Sports Homepage https://parks.arlingtonva.us/sports/

Community Centers Community center pages/locations

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/parksfacilities/community-centers/

Diamond Fields Diamond field information https://parks.arlingtonva.us/rentals/diamond-fields/

Rectangular Fields Rectangular field information

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/rentals/rectangular-fields/

Applicable Policies

Collaboration/Donation Policy

Process information and application for interested collaborations

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/collaborate/

Field Fund Process Board approved Diamond Field fund Process

https://commissions.arlingtonva.us/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2016/10/Field-Fund-Process.pdf

Cost Recovery Pyramid Cost recovery model in use by DPR

http://arlingtonparks.us/costrecovery/

Diamond Field Fund Committee

Introduction The Diamond Field Fund Committee is created as an advisory committee to the Sports Commission.

Mission The Diamond Field Fund Committee will introduce and develop diamond field fund projects to be

approved by the Sports Commission and sent to DPR for vetting/review. The Committee may also be

asked to review project ideas that have been presented to the Sports Commission from outside the

group.

Background The Diamond Field Fund process, County Board approved in March of 2014, lays out a process whereby

the Sports Commission organizes diamond field fund proposals from contributing groups and

recommends projects. To date, only one project has been completed. In order to facilitate new

proposals, this committee is created to focus on projects that can be submitted to the Sports

Commission for consideration.

Membership Membership will be made up of representatives from diamond field organizations/groups partnering

with Arlington County. This can also include representatives from affected DPR run programs. No

organization will have more than a single representative. Organizations may put forward their own

representative for membership. There is no requirement that an organization have a representative on

the Diamond Field Fund Committee. Members do not need to be on the Sports Commission. It is

recommended organizations review their selected representation annually to ensure new

ideas/proposals and continued progress.

Chair The Diamond Field Fund Committee will be led by a Sports Commission member- selected by the Sports

Commission Chair.

Minutes & Meetings Meeting dates will be posted publicly on the Sports Commission website at least three days prior to the

meeting in question. Meetings are open to the public. Minutes will be taken and posted on the

commission website.

Committee Goal The committee will work towards delivering consensus proposals to the Sports Commission. Individual

committee members will recognize that not every proposal will affect their organization or preferred

field. Committee members will agree to work towards identifying enhancement/improvement projects

across locations, sports, and organizations- and to work in a collaborative manner. In the event a

consensus project cannot be agreed upon, the Chair may decide to move forward (with the support of

the majority), however, objections must be noted to the Sports Commission.

Field Fund DPR will provide the Diamond Field Fund Committee basic information regarding the finances of the

Diamond Field Fund- including amount available and previous project costs. DPR will also provide the

committee an updated price/amenity list annually.

Timeline The Diamond Field Fund Committee will submit projects for consideration to the Sports Commission by October of each year. The Chair of the Sports Commission will submit final commission recommendations to the DPR Director for consideration in November or December of each year. DPR will review these requests and submit an independent recommendation to the County Board for annual approval early in the next calendar year. DPR staff will oversee any approved projects and use County contracts as required to perform work. All approved projects will be completed within the calendar year after County Board approval.

Sports_Commission_ThemesProjects_2016-2017_2016-10-16_v0-3_DFT.docx 1

Consolidate Ideas for Themes & Potential Projects Arlington Sports Commission 2016 – 2017 (10-16-2016) Sports Commission Themes

1. Advocate, educate and address the challenge that the demand for athletic fields and gymnasiums exceeds the supply in Arlington County

2. New and updated facilities and green space in Arlington County should be designed and constructed to be flexible to accommodate multiple sports

3. Use partnerships more creatively to facilitate the building of new facilities, the maintenance of current facilities and the purchase of more land to build more facilities. (Chamber of Commerce, local colleges and universities, sports franchises, local businesses)

4. Develop a sense of when to push the County for support vs. seeking external support related to funding

5. Improve coordination, communication, and understanding of processes with Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), the County Board, the School Board, other like-minded commissions, committees and working groups (including the Public Spaces Master Planning and the Community Facilities Study Task Force)

6. Work to get the underserved and the full diversity of members (adults and youth) of our community more involved in sports activities and also in the Sports Commission

Sports_Commission_ThemesProjects_2016-2017_2016-10-16_v0-3_DFT.docx 2

Sports Commission Potential Projects

1. Advocate the positive aspects of lighting the turf fields

2. Work with DPR to develop a 5-Year Sports Participation Projection. It would include 5 years of historical data, current data and 5 year projected data of the athletic participation count by sport, including emerging sports

3. Work with the Arlington Sports Foundation to launch a comprehensive sports facility fundraising effort aimed at benefitting all Arlington sports programs.

4. Work with Arlington sports programs to look at field / facility use issues, particularly regarding density of use issues to determine if we get more use out of existing / limited fields / facilities without serious degrading the quality of experience

5. Research and document best practices of partnerships in other similar counties/jurisdictions across the nation, that could be used in Arlington (to assist with the partnership theme above)

6. Determine if diamond sports are being treated equitably

7. Conduct outreach to 4-5 elementary schools with low participation rates in youth sports, and work with DPR and affiliate organizations to explore ways to bring sports to these locations

8. Work with the County Board, the County Manager, and DPR to support the conversion of Gunston field to a synthetic turf diamond field and look for more creative ways to finance the additional costs

9. Actively seek input from private sector groups, like local professional sports organizations and colleges, and neighboring jurisdictions on how the SC can best advocate for increased private sponsorship investment in sports facilities in Arlington

10. Actively seek input from underrepresented sports groups by setting aside time at each monthly meeting to hear from at least one group about its experiences in using Arlington public facilities

11. Work to get more synthetic fields in the county

12. Work with the schools to get more access to permitted fields

Arlington Sports Commission Position Statement for Planning Processes

October 2016

“The Sports Commission, as requested by the Arlington County Board, seeks to ensure that Arlington has high quality sports activities, facilities and policies. It serves as a conduit for information about sports and physical fitness programs among community organizations, agencies of the County government and the Board. The Sports Commission recognizes that any facility development or planning process in Arlington requires input from a variety of stakeholders. Many different parties claim interest in any given process, and typically there are several different outcomes possible in each process. The Sports Commission respectfully recognizes those varying opinions, and it also seeks to reinforce the notion that the entire Arlington community has primary “ownership” of public facilities. It is clear that the inputs of immediate neighbors (those physically close to the facility) need to be considered seriously. Those inputs may suggest the need for specific measures aimed at satisfying those immediately impacted by the facility. However, it is important not to lose sight of the needs and desires of the overall Arlington community, which merit strong consideration. Ideally all parties are in agreement, but when this is not the case, the Sports Commission believes that Arlington County facilities, and the planning processes that produce them, need to represent the interests of all County residents.”

Williamsburg Lights Work Group

Four Mile Run Valley Working

GroupLong Bridge Park Advisory

Committee

PFRC for New Elementary

School (NES) TJ

Arlington Sports Commission

Sports User Group Study

(TBD)

Parks & Recreation Commission

Aquatics Committee

Diamond Field Fund Committee

Arlington Youth Baseball

Association AYBA

Pubic Space Master Plan

Advisory Commit

Arlington Sports Commission Representation & Initiatives

10/23/2016

Doug Ross

Doug Ross Bill Murray

Heather Cocozza

Steve Severn

Steve Severn

Shirley Brothwell

Jessica Paska

Steve Finn *

* Liaison role with Parks &Recreation Commission

Regina Kouba