Parks with a Purpose

This week, we got a chance to learn more about how our park system supports equity and inclusion for all residents in Fairfax County. Our biggest takeaway is that park locations are planned intentionally to ensure the greatest positive impact on the surrounding community. 

We were able to experience thoughtful park planning firsthand as we completed one of our tasks this week – dispersing puzzle clues at parks around the county for the free puzzle hunt that is happening in partnership with Fairfax County Schools.   

Julia recently visited North Hill Park to hang up a clue, and, during her journey, she discovered the beauty of this hidden gem and got a chance to learn more about the development and planning process of this park. Located in Alexandria in the Mount Vernon district, this 12-acre park is fairly new to the park system. It officially opened in September 2023 after a long and challenging process to transform an unutilized and ill-maintained property that was once a trailer park. Working in conjunction with the Redevelopment and Housing Authority, FCPA created an innovative and evolved terraced park design with several active and passive park amenities that meets the needs of the surrounding community.  

During her visit, Julia noticed how unique the geography of this park was; the park is built on a hilly terrain, but there is a winding path that leads up to the amenities as well as a wheelchair accessible route. There is something for everyone at North Hill – from walking and biking paths, to the pickleball and tennis courts, to the large playground. People of all abilities and interests can enjoy the amenities offered at North Hill, making it a must-visit park this summer.  

The development of North Hill Park also supports a major equity initiative in the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Access (PROSA) Strategy. PROSA is an innovative systems approach that provides a roadmap to improve walkable access to parks, provide various recreational experiences, enhance habitat connectivity and prioritize parks and recreation needs with an equity lens. A major component of PROSA is ensuring that Fairfax County residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk from their residence. The creation of North Hill Park does just that. It’s placed among larger residential apartments and developments, and those residents now all have easy access to one of FCPA’s parks. This is a huge step towards expanding parks and recreational facilities in the community! 

More often that not, communities rely on their local parks for recreational activities, and use parks to improve their mental and physical health. Because of this, we feel that it is critical to share the stories of how our parks are accommodating all residents who want to enjoy them. We thoroughly enjoyed learning more about this strategy and commitment to equity this week, and we’ll keep an eye out for more of the Park Authority’s equitable efforts in our upcoming explorations!