Despite layoffs and scrapped road projects around the state, the Fairfax County Park Authority found room in its pockets to approve a miniature golf course and a lawn bowling green for Burke Lake Park, priced at $471,000.
The additions were approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on March 18. Following that approval, the Commonwealth of Virginia Design-Build/Construction Management Review Board, the Planning and Development Committee and the Park Authority Board all gave their approvals, the last coming on Nov. 13.
Burke Lake is in Supervisor Elaine McConnell's (R) district. She said the portion of the funding that is contributed by the county is from the Park Authority's general fund and not bonds.
"These funds were taken out of their general funds. It was money left over from a few projects in the past," McConnell said.
Park Authority spokesperson Judy Pedersen said the design-build is a relatively new method for park facility construction that saves a step. This type of construction enables the same company that designs the structure, builds it also, saving a step of bringing another company in.
"It does save us quite bit on this project," she said.
THE MINIATURE GOLF course is an 18-hole course planned for an area adjacent to the existing ice cream parlor. The total price for that portion of the project is $464,000. Atlantic Miniature Golf is the builder, but the time frame for construction has not been decided, said Pedersen.
"They did a contract award for design and build for miniature golf," Pedersen said.
Early drawings of the 18-hole course have a practice green, six ponds, two wooden bridges and four fountains. Existing trees will be kept on the course when possible.
The lawn bowling green was initiated at the request of the Falls Church Lawn Bowling Club. The group has obtained $5,000 from the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program to build the facility. The Park Authority will provide the matching funds.
That facility will consist of a 120-by-90-foot lawn bowling green, which will also be used for croquet. According to the draft copy of the proposal, "the Falls Church Lawn Bowling Club will train new bowlers and advertise the sport countywide."
Although the actual City of Falls Church is inside the Beltway, and Burke Lake is outside the Beltway and Fairfax County Parkway, Pedersen defended the move.
"We don't know the makeup of the Falls Church Bowling Club. They are members of the community," she said.
The Mastenbrook application was filled out by Barbara Kruszewski, a member of the lawn bowling team. She mentioned the proximity to a golf course was one of the main reasons for choosing Burke Lake. Lawn bowling green maintenance is similar to golf greens, so the proximity to one of the special lawn mowers was vital.
"We're very fortunate to have found that spot," Kruszewski said.
The lawn bowling team is part of the Victorian Society of Falls Church, and among that group's members, there are 20 active lawn bowlers. Most of them are Falls Church residents, but some are from other parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties, said Kruszewski.
AREA RESIDENTS who have a history of using the park weren't so sure about the additions. Mrs. David Gallagher brings her grandchildren to the park on a regular basis. She liked the mini-golf course but wasn't sure about the other addition.
"I can think of other better things to use the money for," she said.
Herndon resident Christina Bingham is the organizer of a stay-at-home-moms' group that uses the park six or seven times a year. The group includes about 30 mothers mostly from the western part of the county.
"Mini-golf I can see. The lawn bowling, what is it?" she said.
One Burke resident who goes to the park about 10 times a year to play Frisbee golf or have a barbecue wasn't excited about the new additions, either.
"I really wouldn't be for that. The budget really isn't in a position to be doing that," he said.
Kruszewski mentioned that although lawn bowling is not widely known, it is advantageous to the non-sports types. She included seniors and the handicapped.
"A lot of golfers that can no longer golf, can lawn bowl. I have no sports coordination, but I can lawn bowl," she said.