Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Contact: Susan Kalish 703-228-3330 (voice) 703-228-4743(TTY)
New Playground for Bluemont Park
- Arlington County Board approves $650,000 contract
- New playground will be fully accessible
- Separate themed play areas for tots, school-age children
ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Board today approved a contract for $650,000 to MCA Construction of Alexandria to rebuild a playground in Bluemont Park, one of the County’s most popular parks. The new playground will be fully accessible. It will feature separate themed play areas for tots and school-age children, a sandbox with a hand pump, benches, picnic tables, paths, drinking fountain, ground hydrant and landscape boulders.
Sustainability continues to be a priority for Arlington. During the construction of this project, on-site materials such as the sub-base and gravel path will be reused. Large landscape boulders that will be used for seating will be brought in from another County site that was recently excavated. Construction is expected to begin this winter and is expected to be completed in summer 2010.
“Bluemont is a treasure, and this playground renovation will make it even more enjoyable for the children of Arlington and their parents,” said County Board Chairman Barbara Favola. “Now our youngest residents will be able to enjoy a well-designed, accessible and beautiful play area when they visit one of Arlington’s most beloved parks.”
Community developed designs
In October 2008, a community process was initiated to develop conceptual designs for the Bluemont Park playground reconstruction. Community members sought to honor the park’s rich heritage by theming the new tot playground around Torreyson-Reeves Dairy Farm – which used to operate where the park now stands – and including trains in the elementary-age playground to honor Bluemont Junction. The Boulevard Manor Civic Association approved the final concept for the new playground in February 2009.
The existing playground was last renovated in the late 1980s. It held non-accessible, aging play equipment, sand safety surfacing and a few benches. For more information on the playground’s development, go to www.arlingtonva.us/prcr and click on "Projects Under Construction."
About Bluemont Park
Bluemont Park is one of Arlington’s largest County-owned parks and includes soccer and baseball fields, lighted tennis and basketball courts, picnic and restroom facilities, a disc golf course, bicycle and hiking trails, natural areas and parking.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.