Arlington�s Public Space Master Plan (PSMP), adopted by Arlington County Board in 2006 after four years of work, including resolutions of support by Arlington County Civic Federation, calls for preservation and expansion of public spaces in Arlington, including active outdoor recreation areas; and

PSMP specifically recognizes a high-priority need for public space in the Rosslyn-Ballston Corridor; and The recent Multi-Site Study Committee commissioned by Arlington Public Schools suggested that impact on neighboring communities should be considered in School Board decisions on use of surplus properties; and

PSMP considers Arlington Public Schools sites to be an important part of Arlington�s parks and recreation inventory � about 29% (total county and schools public spaces = 1296 acres, including School public spaces = 376.7 acres); and

Priority 5 of PSMP is to �Maximize the Partnership with Arlington County Schools,� noting that joint-use facilities �present a real opportunity for enhanced community use when they are not being used for their primary mission of education�; and Recommendation 1.7 of PSMP is to �optimize creative use of spaces, such as over underground parking garages and the rooftops of buildings�; and

Rosslyn Highlands Park at the Wilson School site has been the only athletic field in all Arlington between the Potomac River, Veitch Street, Lee Highway, and Arlington Boulevard, an area with more than 15,000 residents; and

Therefore, be it resolved that Arlington County Civic Federation requests that:

Arlington Public Schools and Arlington County work together to preserve and maintain the greenspace and active recreation areas at Rosslyn Highlands Park, as well as pedestrian access, and to restore and maintain Wilson School�s athletic fields, to conform with the PSMP and to recognize that all Arlington residents need recreation areas

This page was last revised on: April 18, 2007.