In 2018, the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development Community Revitalization Section (DPD CRS) and the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) embarked on an engagement process to solicit community input on the vision for a new, innovative community gathering space in downtown Annandale. The County wishes to implement this vision by creatively repurposing a portion of the property that it owns at 7200 Columbia Pike—a step toward building a central public space that is consistent with the long-term vision for Annandale.
THE EILEEN GARNETT CIVIC SPACE IS NOW OFFICIALLY OPEN
Fairfax County and the Fairfax County Park Authority are pleased to announce the grand opening of the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, formerly the Annandale Civic Space. The Civic Space is named in honor of Eileen Garnett, a longtime friend of Annandale and passionate voice for community revitalization who was also supportive of the park’s development.
The grand opening was celebrated on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with an event that included a ribbon cutting ceremony, music, dance, fitness, and food. Speakers at the grand opening ceremony included Laura Baker of the Department of Economic Initiatives, Chairman Jeff McKay, Deputy Director of the Park Authority Sara Baldwin, Mason District Supervisor Penelope Gross, and the daughter of Eileen Garnett.
Located in the heart of the Annandale Community Business Center (CBC) and Commercial Revitalization District (CRD), the property is a former elementary school. Presently, the buildings and a portion of the grounds are licensed to a community non-profit. The area proposed for the Annandale Civic Space is under one acre in size, and outlined in green and yellow in the aerial image shown below.
Aerial of the proposed Annandale Civic Space
site at 7200 Columbia Pike shown in context with
surrounding properties
The Annandale Civic Space provides an opportunity for the County and community to achieve elements of Annandale’s long-term vision in the near-term through the creative re-use of an existing asset into a public space that could function as a hybrid of a neighborhood park space and a flexible “pop-up” space capable of hosting programming activities and special events. Communities across the country are exploring the placemaking power of such projects to bring people together and contribute to the vibrancy of an area.
Annandale is the ideal site for this project for several reasons including the County’s ownership of the property, the long-term community vision for the CBC/CRD, and community support.
Vision
This initiative launched in May 2018 and has evolved with community input and the identification of additional opportunities and/or constraints. In the fall of 2018, community members were given the opportunity to provide input on two draft design concepts. County staff took the preference input provided and refined the design over the winter and spring of 2018/2019 into a final design vision.
Annandale Civic Space Design
The vision consists of approximately four distinct areas:
Parking Lot Expansion Area for pop-up programming
Civic Plaza
Educational Garden
Great Lawn
The design would take the property’s existing underutilized open space and turn it into a more functional community space for public enjoyment. This would include the installation of a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessible path to the space, while providing a connection from Daniels Avenue to Columbia Pike.
Watch the walk-through video tourto learn more about the space and the vision for the future or read the design briefing to learn more about specific elements of the design.
It is important to note that the design is still subject to change due to budget, phasing, and operational considerations, or on-the-ground site constraints that are identified as the project evolves and moves toward implementation. The design gives you a sense of the overall vision for the space but is intended for illustrative purposes only.
Project Timeline
Year
Activity
Timing
Status & Notes
2018
Community Engagement
Hosted a "demonstration park" for community input on vision, design and programming activities, and hosted an online survey for input. The input received was used to help inform the draft design concepts.
Community Engagement
Hosted a "demonstration park" for community input regarding a preference on two draft concepts, and hosted an online survey for input. The input received was used to help inform the final design concept.
Pop-Up Programming Series
Host “pop-up” programming and install a creative temporary community gathering space on the site for community enjoyment from June through October 2019.
Note: This community meeting was conducted in English and included live Spanish interpretation from a translator.
The recording also has the option to auto-translate the captions into multiple languages under the settings button.
Grant Funding
Applied for grant funding for the project.
Summer
Complete
2022
Rough Grading Plan Submission
Submitted the engineering RGP for review by the County. The review resulted in a few additional tweaks to the park design related to trees and landscaping.
Construction Documents
Created the construction documents for the project.
Fall through Winter
Complete
2023
(To Date)
Construction
Project construction began in late March 2023.
The total capital cost of the project is estimated at $700,000 and is being financed through a mixture of funding sources, including an Environmental Improvement Program grant, Economic Opportunity Reserve funds, Mason District Revitalization funds and discretionary funds contributed by Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross’s office.
Spring through Fall
Complete
Park Opening
A grand opening event was hosted on Saturday, October 21, 2023.
A second phase of park improvements is anticipated to occur in 2024. More information will be shared once the scope of work and timeline is finalized.
Are you an individual, or local organization, interested in gardening and volunteering to maintain the proposed garden? Or are you interested in being a part of a ‘Friends Of’ group?
This webpage will be the best source for information, so please be sure to check back periodically for additional updates and announcements about the initiative, including opportunities for input or involvement.
