To the probable delight of many Fairfax and Burke citizens, Woodglen Lake Park, located at 10617 Zion Drive in Fairfax, will remain exactly as it is: a lake, surrounded by wooded private properties, with minimal disturbance from the outside world.
A handful of citizens attended a public hearing conducted by the Fairfax County Park Authority last Thursday, June 10, to comment on the Park Authority's development for the 54.4-acre parcel, acquired by the Park Authority in 1999. While over 100 citizens had attended the March 2 public hearing to voice their concerns about what could become of Woodglen Lake Park, the roughly 18 citizens at Bonnie Brae Elementary last Thursday surmised that the lack of citizen representation that night meant that citizens were satisfied with the plan.
The plan calls for Woodglen Lake Park to become a "natural resource park," meaning that it would be preserved in its current state. Although the Park Authority had originally considered designating Woodglen Lake Park as a community park because of its size, it concluded that it would become a natural resource park due to topography of the site.
The designation "will protect the resources," said Jenny Pate, trails coordinator and project manager for the Park Authority. "It will allow us to do small amounts of things [to maintain] that protection."
PATE SUMMARIZED the public comments from the March 2 hearing, giving the Park Authority's response to those comments. Several citizens had wanted a trail encircling the lake. But because of restrictive slopes, limited vehicular access to the site, the poor quality of the soil for development and the fluctuating water levels of the lake, the Park Authority advised that trails would be difficult to implement. Those reasons also influenced the decision to keep Woodglen Lake Park as it is. Pate added that the Park Authority would allow the natural trails already there to remain, and could work with the community to maintain the existing trails.
Pate continued that at the March 2 hearing, citizens also had questions about the animals that inhabit the site, and they had complaints about park usage and dogs and residents cutting across private property. Pate said the Park Authority would keep a list of species in its master plan for Woodglen Lake Park, and it would consider implementing a neighborhood education program on encroaching boundaries.
The Park Authority would also place attractive signs designating the five access points to the park.
The three citizens who spoke during public comment of the public hearing were enthusiastic about the proposed master plan.
"I like the plan the way it's set out now," said Sarah Mayhew of Fairfax, who had given a list to the Park Authority of over 100 species inhabiting the park.
Paula Lucas of Fairfax commented that she would like to walk around the lake and inquired about various ways that the Park Authority could help maintain a trail.
During an informal question-and-answer session at the June 10 hearing, Park Authority representatives revealed that the county's public works department would be responsible for conducting a water quality study, and that the Park Authority would use mechanical methods, and not herbicides, to remove invasive plant species.
"I'm extremely pleased by the plan," said Paula Lucas' husband, Gary Lucas, after the public hearing. "I think it's the appropriate way to take care of the area."
Comments about the master plan will be accepted until July 12. After that, the proposed master plan will go before the Park Authority Board in either July or September. For more information about the plan, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gmp/woodglen.htm. Comments can be mailed to Jenny Pate, Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 421, Fairfax, VA 22035. Citizens can also send e-mails to parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.