Douglas Park Phase I Renovation
Final Engagement - Community Input for Review
Participants: 114
Comments: 109
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback during the second round of community engagement for the Douglas Park project, which was open from Feb. 25 to May 15, 2025.
We are now sharing back the input we received. The comments below reflect a wide range of community perspectives and ideas. While this input is shared without additional context or grouping, it has informed the design process and will continue to help guide next steps.
To learn more about the Douglas Park project, please visit the links below:
Proposed Changes to the Park Entrance at S. Quincy St. and 16th St.
Current Entrance: S. Quincy St. and 16th St. serve as an existing informal entrance to the park.
ADA Compliance: Arlington County is dedicated to ensuring all public spaces are accessible. The corner entrance will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).
Safety and Accessibility Enhancements: Recent upgrades to curb ramps and crosswalks at this location align with PROWAG standards, enhancing safe and direct park access. Based on community input prioritizing open space, the planned path will be designed to minimize its impact on the park's open areas while also protecting the health of nearby mature trees and their root systems.
Obstacle Considerations: The current sidewalk is too narrow with numerous obstacles, such as existing light and utility poles, to provide a feasible ADA-compliant route.
Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choices?
| Question prompt | Very Satisfied | Satisfied | Unsure / No opinion | Unsatisfied | Very Unsatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Establishing a park entrance at 16th St. and S. Quincy St. with a new trail segment. |
20%
|
19%
|
11%
|
12%
|
39%
|
Elimination of mid-block entrance on Quincy Street:
- The current mid-block entrance fails to meet required safety guidelines.
- This entrance is not ADA compliant due to a narrow, obstacle-filled sidewalk.
- Creating an ADA-compliant path here would be costly and could damage nearby trees.
- The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) proposes to remove mid-block entrances to encourage use of designated, safer entrances.
Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choice?
| Question prompt | Very Satisfied | Satisfied | Unsure / No opinion | Unsatisfied | Very Unsatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fencing off the existing mid-block entrance on S. Quincy and removal of the path and steps. |
13%
|
13%
|
7%
|
17%
|
50%
|
<strong>Elimination of mid-block entrance on Quincy Street:</strong><br><br>- The current mid-block entrance fails to meet required safety guidelines.<br>- This entrance is not ADA compliant due to a narrow, obstacle-filled sidewalk.<br>- Creating an ADA-compliant path here would be costly and could damage nearby trees.<br>- The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) proposes to remove mid-block entrances to encourage use of designated, safer entrances.<br><br><strong>Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choice?</strong>
Western sloped pathway: Near the park's western entrance at S. Stafford St., there is a steep gravel pathway with terraced steps.
- After further engineering analysis, it was determined that a sloped paved path would be too steep and unsafe. The current slope is approximately 22%. Per trail standards, a safe and accessible path should not exceed 12%.
- In addition, re-grading the hill to lessen the slope would have a significant impact on many trees and roots, possibly destroying them.
- Engineers recommend a stepped path with a handrail as the safest option.
Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choice?
| Question prompt | Very Satisfied | Satisfied | Unsure / No opinion | Unsatisfied | Very Unsatisfied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A curved stairway with a handrail: |
15%
|
53%
|
16%
|
8%
|
9%
|
<strong>Western sloped pathway:</strong> Near the park's western entrance at S. Stafford St., there is a steep gravel pathway with terraced steps. <br><br>- After further engineering analysis, it was determined that a sloped paved path would be too steep and unsafe. The current slope is approximately 22%. Per trail standards, a safe and accessible path should not exceed 12%.<br>- In addition, re-grading the hill to lessen the slope would have a significant impact on many trees and roots, possibly destroying them.<br>- Engineers recommend a stepped path with a handrail as the safest option. <br><br><strong>Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choice?</strong>
We would also like to make you aware of the newly acquired property by the County, located at 4030 16th St. South, that is set for demolition after historical review as well as planned archeological research:
- Historic Preservation staff will bring in an archaeologist to study the property's history and assess any significant findings.
- The house will be demolished after considering and addressing historical research and archaeological findings.
- Trees will be maintained, based on their health as evaluated by the County's Forester.
Archeological Research:
- The County's Community Planning Housing and Development (CPHD) Department's Historic Preservation staff searched internal documents related to the Corbett Family Cemetery at Douglas Park. Records indicate the presence of a cemetery. The cemetery was destroyed in the 1950s.
- Future signage is being considered at this site to note the significance and location of the site.
Concrete Platform with Stone Chimney
- Park management and neighbors report unwanted activity in this location after hours.
- Historic preservation staff determined the structure is modern-built, citing concrete use.
- After demolition, new trees will be planted to restore the area.
| Question prompt |
|---|
<strong>We would also like to make you aware of the newly acquired property by the County, located at 4030 16th St. South, that is set for demolition after historical review as well as planned archeological research:</strong><br><br>- Historic Preservation staff will bring in an archaeologist to study the property's history and assess any significant findings.<br>- The house will be demolished after considering and addressing historical research and archaeological findings.<br>- Trees will be maintained, based on their health as evaluated by the County's Forester.<br><br><strong>Archeological Research:</strong><br>- The County's Community Planning Housing and Development (CPHD) Department's Historic Preservation staff searched internal documents related to the Corbett Family Cemetery at Douglas Park. Records indicate the presence of a cemetery. The cemetery was destroyed in the 1950s.<br>- Future signage is being considered at this site to note the significance and location of the site. <br><br><strong>Concrete Platform with Stone Chimney</strong> <br> - Park management and neighbors report unwanted activity in this location after hours.<br> - Historic preservation staff determined the structure is modern-built, citing concrete use.<br> - After demolition, new trees will be planted to restore the area.
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<strong>Proposed Changes to the Park Entrance at S. Quincy St. and 16th St.</strong><br><br> <strong>Current Entrance:</strong> S. Quincy St. and 16th St. serve as an existing informal entrance to the park.<br><strong>ADA Compliance:</strong> Arlington County is dedicated to ensuring all public spaces are accessible. The corner entrance will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Public Right-of-Way Accessibility Guidelines (PROWAG).<br><strong>Safety and Accessibility Enhancements:</strong> Recent upgrades to curb ramps and crosswalks at this location align with PROWAG standards, enhancing safe and direct park access. Based on community input prioritizing open space, the planned path will be designed to minimize its impact on the park's open areas while also protecting the health of nearby mature trees and their root systems.<br><strong>Obstacle Considerations:</strong> The current sidewalk is too narrow with numerous obstacles, such as existing light and utility poles, to provide a feasible ADA-compliant route.<br><br><strong>Question: What is your level of satisfaction with the final draft design choices?</strong>