The Fairfax County Park Authority last week approved its master plan for Quinn Farm Park. Classified as a district park — for local residents' use — it's at Old Lee and Braddock Roads in Centreville.
The Park Authority intends to build nine, lighted soccer fields there, with 450 parking spaces — 50 per field — and two bleachers for each field. Also planned are a fishing pond, playground and picnic area, plus paved trails along Braddock, Pleasant Valley and Old Lee roads and a hiking trail encompassing the site.
In addition, the county transportation plan calls for the upgrading of Old Lee Road there, from two to four lanes, from Willard to Pleasant Valley Road. Old Lee will also be realigned with Braddock through the site, and a new entrance road will come off of Braddock.
The Park Authority board gave its unanimous approval of this plan, last Wednesday, Jan. 29. D.C. United is no longer seeking a special-exception permit to build a training facility in Quinn Farm Park; therefore, the county's zoning ordinance regarding this property does not have to be amended. For more information about the master plan, see the Park Authority's Web site, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks.
However, local soccer players may have to wait quite awhile before taking to the fields there. That's because the whole project is estimated to cost $16.5 million, and the Park Authority doesn't have a money tree.
"Master plans don't guarantee reality — they just talk to approved, potential uses," said Park Authority spokeswoman Judy Pedersen. "We don't [currently] have the funding to do all this. I presume we might be putting some money for fields into our FY 2004 bond request."
Meanwhile, the Park Authority will more than likely present its master plan to the West Fairfax County Citizens Association (WFCCA) Land-Use Committee, some time this spring. It will then go to the county Planning Commission, which has the final say on the project.