County Board To Consider Extensive Redesign Of Jennie Dean Park

The Arlington County Board is set to discuss the extensive redesign of Jennie Dean Park during its meeting this weekend.

Jennie Dean Park plan(via Arlington County)

The Saturday meeting will see the Board vote to add assigned green space to the Shirlington-area park and a $15.5 million construction contract. In a report to the Board, the County staff recommends giving the contract to DC-based MCN Build Inc., which is also tapped to work on Fire Station 8.

First built in 1949, Jennie Dean Park features two tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, baseball and softball diamonds, and a picnic area. After several public meetings, the county decided to move one of the baseball fields near S. Nelson Street, build a bathroom near Four Mile Run Drive, and install basketball and tennis courts near a WETA production facility.

As part of the renovations, the County Board is now considering expanding the park by removing a stretch on 27th Street South from South Nelson Street to Shirlington Road. However, the removal of the section of road is not expected to impede access to the WETA building, which serves as the production studio for PBS Newshour.

In a move that could add 1.96 acres to the park, members will also vote on whether to rezone some “service industry” parcels of land to the north of the park as “public”.This extra space would create room for the planned youth baseball diamond and other amenities.

County officials are set to discuss the final renovation designs next Thursday, November 21 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Charles Drew Community Center, and on Saturday, November 23 from 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Shirlington Branch Library.

Construction on the project is due to start by early 2020.