The Observer Newspapers | Lighting Plan Worries Park Neighbors

June 26, 2009

Lighting Plan Worries Park Neighbors

By Leslie Perales

Observer Staff Writer

Fairfax County Park Authority is working on a master plan amendment that would make changes to Stratton Woods Park, at the corner of Fox Mill Road and Fairfax County Parkway, but it is the addition of lighting that many who live in the area are concerned about.

Kelly Jackson, a nearby resident whose back yard is across the street from the park, said she is worried that light that could spill over to her property. And she and other area residents are most concerned with the additional noise that lighted, night baseball games would bring to the surrounding neighborhoods. She said she fears her family will have a difficult time sleeping because the park will be open for games until 11 p.m.

When the park was created in 1999 the county agreed not to place lights in the park. The proposed plan amendment seeks to light the 90-foot baseball diamond, parking lot and existing tennis courts as well as light handball and racquetball courts that will be constructed at the park. The racquetball courts will replace the current sand volleyball court and the basketball courts at the park will be replaced with a new volleyball court and a picnic pavilion.

Sandy Stallman, manager of park planning for the Fairfax County Park Authority, said a needs assessment was completed in 2004 and identified that additional lighted park and baseball facilities are needed. She said without opportunities to gain more land the county's options are limited to lighting parks the county already owns.

Stallman said the Stratton Woods serves a three-mile radius of residents that includes between 80,000 to 100,000 people and the county is trying to serve all of them. "We are looking at opportunities where we can serve folks better and this was one of the parks that was identified for looking at enhancing our service levels," she said.

Judy Pedersen, public information officer for FCPA, said the most important aspect is that lighting technology has developed that will allow them to control how far the light reaches. "We've come so, so far in terms of technology that it seemed appropriate," Pedersen said. "The people who live in proximity to the park certainly are most interested, but the park serves a bigger service area than the immediate neighborhood. We need to try and plan for their needs as well."

Pedersen said FCPA plans to address other concerns with neighbors separately from the master plan amendment. "We want to be good neighbors whenever possible and it's always a balancing act," she said. She said the county is prepared to work with residents in any possible way while maintaining a service level that increases usage capacity of the field. Pedersen said those who use the baseball field are local and often have to drive to lighted fields in Centreville or Chantilly.

Residents have said they often see the park is empty and feel county funds should be spent elsewhere. Stallman said there are limitations for the park's usage because it is not lit and cannot be used after dark, which is why it seems underused. Pedersen said, "When we don't have lights the field sits empty."

Al Goncer said since bringing up concerns about the other impacts of lighting the park FCPA has focused only on the issue of light and not noise, parking, crime or other issues. He said he and his wife both commute to Greenbelt, Md. for work and go to sleep fairly early. He said late games will disrupt their sleep schedule and quality of life. "Especially hearing the ping of an aluminum bat," he said.

Goncer said he hopes this issue and other similar ones will spark community members to create a coalition to help others who live near parks and outdoor amenities maintain their quality of life while having quality parks. He said he hopes to find a solution that is suitable for everyone, such as placing lighted baseball fields near business instead of in residential areas so they are less disturbing.

Residents near the park have created petitions, contacted the county, attended meetings on the plan amendment and plan to discuss the matter with Reston Association, although the area is outside of the association's boundaries. "Originally they said they wouldn't have lights in that park and that's what the neighborhood believed," Jackson said. "We like the park the way it is, it's a win-win for everyone."

The county is allowing area residents to comment on the master plan amendment to the park until July 1. Comments will be compiled and considered to determine if additional revisions to the plan are needed. The FCPA board will take action on the amendment in September. Residents can call FCPA at 703-324-8662 or e-mail ParkMail@FairfaxCounty.gov.