Arlington Secures Federal Funding for Community Projects
Published on March 14, 2024
Arlington County secured more than $1 million in federal funding for trail and playground improvements as part of FY24 appropriations legislation passed by Congress.
The two Community Project Funding (CPF) requests – $720,000 for the design of Arlington Boulevard Trail South Side Improvements and $500,000 for the Monroe Park Playground Renovation – were among 15 projects in Virginia’s 8th congressional district secured by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA-08).
"The funds I secured for Arlington County will support valuable projects, including much needed improvements to Arlington Boulevard Trail and the Monroe Park Playground," said Rep. Beyer. "These projects will help improve and expand recreational amenities in our community in ways that make them accessible and safe for Arlingtonians. I am thankful to Arlington County leaders for their support identifying and developing these project requests and look forward to the positive impact they will have in our community."
Virginia's 8th Congressional District encompasses Arlington County, the Cities of Alexandria and Falls Church, and portions of Fairfax County.
Arlington Boulevard Trail Study
Funding received for the Arlington Boulevard Trail project would fund design for safety and accessibility improvements on nearly one-third of a mile along the south side of Arlington Boulevard between Glebe Road and George Mason Drive. The trail is adjacent to the National Foreign Affairs Training Center and Army National Guard Readiness Center and will also improve multimodal access to both federal facilities.
The concept designs from the trail study would level uneven surfaces, widen the existing 5-foot-wide sidewalk to a 11-feet multiuse trail for most of the trail segment, and upgrade lighting along the trail.
The trail segment was identified for improvements in the 2019 Master Transportation Plan (MTP) Bike Element. In 2023, County staff conducted a study of the trail and preferred design concepts, which were then reviewed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for operational feasibility and safety.
Monroe Park Playground Renovation Project
The Monroe Park Playground Renovation project is a capital maintenance project (FY2023 – FY 2032 Capital Improvement Plan) intended to replace existing play structures and enhance surrounding amenities. This includes updated site furnishings and landscaping, ADA compliant pathways, and improvements to site circulation and stormwater management. The project will also consider play equipment for children over the age of five.
Engagement for the project kicked off in January 2024 where community members shared feedback on existing conditions, play features, uses, preferences and more. The engagement summary can be found here. The project team is currently developing draft concepts informed by that feedback and will come back to the community for more insight in spring 2024.
The final design is slated to be complete by this summer/fall with construction projected to begin in spring 2026. This Federal funding will help ensure the park and playground renovations provide needed recreational opportunities for residents.
Community Project Funding
The rules adopted by the House of Representatives allow each Representative to submit FY24 funding requests for up to 15 projects in their district, within a limited scope of federal accounts and direct funds to state and local government entities and select non-profits. View the list of projects for which Rep. Beyer secured funding; full details including accounts, disclosures, and Beyer’s letters to House Appropriations Committee explaining the requests is available here.