7/11/08 Dear Workgroup, UPDATE Much has happened over the past several months since our first few inaugural meetings and neighborhood day project. The county has made a presentation and continues to move ahead on an upgrade to the lighting at the softball fields. "Dark Sky" or lighting meant to intrude less on areas outside the fields. The County will pilot (beginning August 1st) new access priorities for the softball fields. Permit holders will no longer have exclusive access, but will now just take precedence on one of the fields. The County has committed to sharing the permit holders schedule with the local civic associations so look for them to post on their websites, or contact their officers directly if you would like to plan to use the softball fields for a pick-up game, an informal league, or an office game and you don't want to be bumped by scheduled permit holders. A couple of notes: please stay off the fields when wet (you can check the county parks inclement weather hotline 703-228-4715 for field closings); and no dogs allowed on the sports fields. By checking on the reservation schedule that the civic associations receive from the county, you can also know the name and affiliation of groups you see suing the sports fields and report them directly if you see something inappropriate (litter, language, abuse of equipment/fields) The county plans to install two new lighted volleyball courts in Virginia Highlands Park. These courts are being sited to replace a court lost at the South end of Crystal Drive when a court there was converted into a children's playground for a new childcare center. For those of you who don't make it down to that end of Crystal Drive, the playground is very nice and safe and it is open to the public when the childcare center is not open (after 6P weekdays and weekends.) Tennis courts can now be reserved for a nominal fee. Visit the Parks and Rec website for details Reserve a Tennis Court . If you have difficulty reserving a court, please let Parks and Rec know. If local residents cannot get court access because of other regional users, documenting the issue will support a change in Parks policy to allow preference for local residents. Several County Board members have advocated for financial support to Virginia Highlands Park facilities as part of any "proffer" from the developers of the Costco site. Our advocacy and support of this effort could help to secure much needed dollars for park improvements. I had very productive discussions with county board member Barbara Favola on June 23 and again today (July 11) covering a myriad of issues with regard to the park and facilities. We discussed: expanded programming at the Community Center; small, but exciting changes at the library; continuing incremental improvement in the park itself; and several long term strategies for more significant improvements. Ms Favola encouraged us to continue to grow a broad base of support to advocate for improvements to this central asset of our community. NEXT STEPS Please contact your friends and neighbors who may be interested in classes (ages 0-100), other expanded programs, interest in the park amenities, water features, dog park (CCA) advocates, whoever and ask them to join our workgroup even if just to read a few emails and send in a couple of ideas. Get Together - meet your neighbors with interest in our park and its facilities. July calls for Ice Cream so send me some dates and times and we will meet again to socialize and discuss issues at the Maggie Moos - Pentagon Row. Thank you all and as always, I welcome your ideas, input, concerns, and questions. Jim Oliver 922 S 17th Street 703.553.8065

The Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup announces our inaugural Park Improvement Project. Mark Ruckh and his wife Allison have been helping to generate neighbor interest in planting more trees in our community by soliciting tree orders, and picking up and planting the trees. They have graciously offered to help coordinate a community pride building tree planting in front of the Aurora Hills Library in conjunction with Arlington’s Neighborhood Day, May 10, 2008. The primary planting area will be the barren median strip in the parking lot with more sites selected nearby based on the interest and availability of volunteers. Bring out your family to help, check out a book on trees, forestry, or nature from the Aurora Hills Library or consider a small donation – 100% of which will go to purchase trees. Consider joining the Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup by sending an email to VHPWorkGroup@gmail.com. Contact Mark and Allison to volunteer or donate @ ruckhus1@hotmail.com.

Sent to various County officials (Board & Manager) and to Environmental Services and Parks & Rec April 16, 2008 I am honored to bring to your attention the Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup. We are a group of interested neighbors who live and/or work in the south Arlington community surrounding the Virginia Highlands Park. We have come together to work in a positive fashion towards the improvement of this very valuable Arlington asset. The scope of our effort includes the Park itself and the associated public buildings today comprising the Aurora Hills Library, the Aurora Hills Community Center, the fire department warehouse space (formerly Fire Station #5), and the newly completed Fire Station #5. Our workgroup will be establishing a series of short term and long-term goals with associated action plans using the best tools we have available to reach out to as many park users and stakeholders as possible. We welcome all input and all viewpoints. We are glad to volunteer our time and effort in helping to improve this element of our community. We are working simultaneously with the neighborhood civic associations to ensure that the broad community goals that we articulate are in harmony with established or developing civic association goals articulated through their NC plans. We seek your support in helping our workgroup to engage with the appropriate elements of our government so that we can be informed and aid in the development and implementation of future changes and so that we can keep you informed of community needs and desires with regard to the Park and associated structures. Thank you for your time and attention. Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup Jim Oliver, interim facilitator Responses 1. "Good luck with your very important work. Barbara Favola, Vice Chairman Arlington County Board" 2. "April 16, 2008 Mr. Oliver Thank you for sharing your workgroup’s interest in improving the Virginia Highlands Park area. I am sharing your email below with appropriate staff members of our department and other County agencies with existing operations at this location. In addition, I am asking Lisa Grandle, Chief of our Park Planning and Development Division, to share our current plans for the improvement of this park with you. Thank you again for your interest and support of this park and other community facilities. Dinesh V. Tiwari, CPRP Director Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources 2100 Clarendon Blvd., Suite 414 Arlington, Virginia 22201 TEL 703.228.3313 FAX 703.228.3328 dtiwari@arlingtonva.us" 3. "Arlington County Board April 18, 2008 Mr. James Oliver vhpworkgroup@gmail.com Dear Mr. Oliver: As the Aide to County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada, I am acknowledging receipt and want to thank you for your email regarding the Virginia Highlands ParkGroup. Please be aware that Mr. Tejada has asked the County Manager to ask staff to help you in your request, and they will respond to you directly. You should hear from staff in the near future. Again, thank you for taking the time to communicate with us, and Mr. Tejada wishes you good luck in your endeavors. Sincerely, Patricia Pocasangre, Aide" 4. "April 25, 2008 Mr. James Oliver, Attached is a response from Neighborhood Conservation regarding your recent letter to Chairman Tejada about the Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup. Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any additional questions. Regards, Tim McIntosh Planner, Neighborhood Conservation Arlington County 2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 700 Arlington, VA 22201 703-228-3829 Gram #328232 The Neighborhood Conservation Program is excited to hear of the Virginia Highlands Park Workgroup. Since 1964 our program has been an important funding source for upgrading and improving Arlington County neighborhoods. We fund a diverse set of projects that help make Arlington a better place to live including, street improvement projects, park projects, beautification projects, and street light installations. What makes the Neighborhood Conservation Program unique is that it allows citizens to participate in the planning of their communities. The major vehicle to establish planning goals is through Neighborhood Conservation Plans. The creation of plans gives neighborhoods an opportunity to work together and create a document that can be used by staff to help better plan communities. They also allow neighborhoods to effectively prioritize their planning goals and actively participate in seeing those goals met. The Neighborhood Conservation Program can be a valuable source of funding for future projects in neighborhoods and staff is available to participate in any planning efforts that incorporate strategies on how to improve communities. If we can assist in any way to help prioritize and plan for future projects that are of interest to the workgroup, please do not hesitate to contact us. " 5. "April 29, 2008 Dear Mr. Oliver: County Board Chairman Walter Tejada asked me to respond to your recent email regarding Virginia Highlands Park. Attached is my response. Sincerely, Lisa Grandle Park Development Division Chief Arlington Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources. April 29, 2008 Mr. James Oliver vhpworkgroup@gmail.com Dear Mr. Oliver: County Board Chairman Walter Tejada asked me to respond to your recent email regarding Virginia Highlands Park. It is wonderful to hear that the neighbors in the Virginia Highlands Park area are so interested in the outdoor facilities and County building complex at the site. Over the last few years, the Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources has made several major improvements to Virginia Highlands Park. These include a new synthetic turf field, field lighting and associated amenities such as bleachers and pathways; full replacement of the comfort station; and repaving the parking lot. We are currently under design for a capital maintenance project to replace the lighting for the two softball fields and to replace the volleyball court with two lighted courts. The purpose of Arlington’s Maintenance Capital program is to ensure that existing capital assets throughout the County are maintained in a reliable, serviceable condition and periodically updated as necessary. Arlington currently maintains an extensive inventory of park and recreation assets on over 900 acres of parkland, which includes playgrounds, athletic fields, athletic courts, field and court lighting, picnic shelters, comfort stations, site furnishings, parking lots, and trails. The Parks & Recreation Maintenance Capital program provides capital funding to maintain these valuable assets by proactively replacing inefficient and outmoded infrastructure and preventing premature failure. We will be presenting information about the softball/volleyball fields project to the Aurora Highlands Civic Association at their May 14th meeting. I would encourage you to attend and learn more about these planned improvements to the park. Thank you for your interest in Virginia Highlands Park. Sincerely, Lisa D. Grandle Park Development Division Chief"

This section contains what I consider, "getting started" correspondence. I have removed personal identifying information and irrelevant info. The exception is correspondence from County officials as their correspondence is already a matter of public record. Anyone who feels that my edits to their message(s or the message in its entirety should not be posted, just let me know and I will make the necessary changes.) 1. "One thing I would love to see on your list, is the return of our voting boths (for those of us west of Kent street South) to the community center. The current location of voting at the River House is very inconvient, dealing with the lack of parking makes it most unpleasant." 2. "We met briefly last fall to talk about the civic association. I saw your email about Virginia Highlands park and I couldn't agree more about the need for major improvements that will benefit the neighborhood as opposed to the needs of other county residents. I am sure you are aware that a group has been working on a neighborhood conservation plan with a section specifically addressing all the parks including Virginia Highlands. Were you not interested in working with that group, or is your objective to focus on the specifics? Because your overall objectives are consistent with what we discussed at the ncp meeting last week. I attended for the first time and I thought it was very productive. We all agreed that Virginia Highlands and Eads Park are prime parks that could be better utilized (adding dog parks, spray parks). We did not get into too many specifics about the rec center other than we all recognized it's blatantly unfair that the county only funds it as a senior center with no budget to operate other programs for all age groups. I plan on staying on top of this issue with Steve, Cheryl and Van. I'm just trying to understand whether you feel this can be a joint effort, or whether you feel it would be more productive to get a separate group working on the same issue. As you know, I am committed to this issue as well and I'm trying to understand the best way to be effective." Response to 2: "I am so glad you responded directly to the post. I would have written you directly today otherwise because I remember your interest and concerns from our previous discussions. I have been working with Steve and the others on the updating of the NC plan, but was unable to attend last weeks meeting on Parks because of childcare issues. (Steve's home is very nice and my four-year-old boy is well... a four-year-old boy ;-)) The NC plan is just one document supporting one woefully underfunded County program. I think our workgroup will be much broader and much more creative in our approaches and thinking. I took on this role specifically because Marty King (past AHCA president) asked me to. I saw Marty, Van, Steve, and Bruce at Marty's home last night for a Civic association executive committee meeting. The efforts of this work group should be to exactly implement and more specifically define the community needs and desires for the park and associated buildings. Prior to Marty asking me to take on this role, I worked (very unsuccessfully) with the County to get broader programs offered at our community center, to get much needed improvements, and get the County and current users to open their minds and thinking to broader uses for our community resources. I always welcome and solicit your input and hope I can count you in as a member of our workgroup?" 3. "As a mother of a 2 1/2 year old I would love to see classes for little ones at the community center. I used to live in North Arlington within walking distance of the Lubber Run Community Center and have enjoyed attending classes there. It would be great if classes are offered or a playgroup formed in the community center." Response to 3. "Thank you so much for your input. My son and I took Music Together at Lubber Run just a couple f years ago so I know exactly what you are saying in terms of getting classes for young ones close to home. My wife and I were founding members, a couple of years ago, of the Aurora Highland Cooperative Playgroup modeled after the nearly 40-year-old and very successful program at Fairlington. We tried, very unsuccessfully, at that time to get space and time allocated at the community center. The County and current users forced us to meet at Gunston. Gunston is a nice facility, but there is no children's play area, no library, and nearly every member had to drive instead of being able to walk. I hope I can put you on my soon-to-be-created distribution list and count you as a workgroup member?" 4. "I visited the Reston Community Center recently, and was so impressed with what they offer. As you work through everything, may I suggest that the group take field trips to other community centers/parks for ideas." 5. "I'd be interested in participating. I use the park daily as a dog walker, used to use the library regularly but don't anymore (go to Alexandria library--better selection of books) and don't use the community center." 6. "I am interested in helping with the VA Highlands Park effort but won’t be available for in person assistance (meeting attendance, etc.) until August due to my current school schedule. But I am available in cyber space. One thing I noticed is that we have no Arlington County classes in our neighborhood. I realized this after perusing the recent Arlington County newspaper that was delivered last week which listed all sorts of exercise classes (weights, yoga, etc) none of which are offered in our neck of the woods. It seems to me that this would be a discussion point to incorporate in use recommendations for the soon-to-be-vacated firehouse. This is just one thought, I have lots of thoughts on the park itself, especially since I walk my dog there everyday and see many areas for improvement." 7. "I understand that you are starting a discussion (and even a work group) regarding improvements of community resources and activities. I know these are concerns, especially now that the County may be reviving Neighborhood Conservation Projects. I would love to meet you to get your perspective on what's working well in Aurora Hills and what may need a bit of tweaking. I have spoken with Steven Wyner a couple of times to pass on some of my ideas but then we fell out of touch. Are you free before the next Civic Association meeting to stop by to talk with me? How about Saturday, March 22, anytime between 11 and 3 or Saturday, March 29, between 11 and 1? I hope to hear from you soon and I would love to participate in this process. Cathy Robinson, Manager Aurora Hills Library 703 228 5716" 8. "Good afternoon everyone: My apologies for my disappearance from this forum, Spring has come in like a lion. [PARAGRAPH DELETED] I had a wonderful meeting with Cathy Robinson, the library manager at the Aurora Hill Library, I welcome her involvement in this process. Can we plan to have a face-to-face kick-off meeting sometime after the 18th? Would each of you let me know when you could possibly meet for a sit down after the 18th. I propose that we meet on the veranda of the library so we can enjoy the Spring weather. Mom's, bring your kids along, this is all about the park, the library, the community center and making them even better. I can meet at almost anytime, so don't restrict your availability to after work hours if you can do mid-day. I am pretty sure we will not all be able to get together at once, so I will gladly do as many gatherings as it takes to get to see everyone in person. Please let you friends, neighbors, condo associations, clubs, playgroups, peers, civic associations, etc know what we are starting to tackle here and see if there are other folks interested in joining in or just throwing in their 2 cents worth. All are welcome and every little bit helps. Thank you all! Jim"

I would like to help form a working group made up of people in our neighborhood who are interested in the Virginia Highlands Park, The Aurora Hills Community Center, and/or the Aurora Hills Library. As many of you know, the new fire station is on the verge of opening. The state of repair and the class offerings/community uses in the community center are best described as lacking. While Virginia Highlands Park has seen some added amenities, at least an equal number of amenities have been removed. The park seems to serve as more of a regional park than a neighborhood resource. I would like to bring together an interested group of neighbors and the widest possible set of ideas/opinions in order to help develop a short term plan for improved community utilization of the Aurora Hills Community Center and develop of a long term strategic plan that ensures that community needs are addressed in any planning, changing, or remodeling/redevelopment of the building that houses the current Aurora Hills Community Center, Library, and Fire Station. In addition, I would like for the workgroup to create a long-term strategy for the evolution of the Virginia Highlands Park. We will consume as little of your volunteer time as possible and I would like to hear from the widest possible group of neighbors even if all you have to say is, "leave it be." Please email me at jamesoliver@comcast.net, call me anytime at 703.867.8976, or drop by 922 S 17th and let me know of your interest in joining the workgroup or just your concerns/opinions about this neighborhood resource. Also, please share the contents of this message with any neighbors you know of that might be interested, but not yet on the listserv. I have started a discussion forum at http://www.arlingtonneighbors.org/?q=node/20 which all are welcome to comment in. We will most likely use this site to post workgroup updates so everyone can stay informed. Thank You,