Friendship Heights council hears fresh timetable, inspections and added costs for Page Park reopening

The Friendship Heights Village Council on January 6 heard renewed questions from residents about when Page Park will reopen and what remains to be completed to satisfy county requirements.

Residents told the council the closed park is an eyesore and demanded clearer, regular updates. Charles Schwartz, whose apartment faces the park, pressed the council to ensure the project complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to require an independent certification rather than rely on contractor self-certification.

Village Manager Julian (identified in the meeting as village manager) told the council the village is pursuing three items the county requires before opening: an architect’s survey and slope verification of the path, third‑party inspections for footers, anchor bolts and concrete slabs, and a stormwater‑management plan. Julian said the architect has been engaged and has begun on‑site work; a single firm capable of performing the three inspections is being vetted; and the stormwater plan has started with the village’s civil engineering firm. Julian emphasized the stormwater work does not block opening but the first two items do.

Julian also reported the park fence has been fully replaced and said updated signage will be posted. He said the village will publish a fuller update in the next newsletter and on the village website.

Council and staff provided several cost figures for completing the project. At the finance committee meeting the village reported an outstanding contract balance to the park contractor of about $191,000; a stormwater study cost estimate of about $32,000; an architect fee reported in the meeting of about $3,000; and an overall planning estimate of roughly $250,000 to finish and open the park. The council cautioned that railings and other materials may account for additional cost overruns.

Schwartz and other residents raised process concerns about the ADA compliance certification. Schwartz said the county’s interpretation treats the park like an “existing commercial building” for certain state forms and that a professional hired to certify ADA compliance should independently verify whether the work is an “alteration and addition” and whether the 20% path‑of‑travel test is met rather than simply relying on contractor figures.

Council members asked that the architect submit slope measurements and the ADA materials to the county portal; Julian said the architect will submit directly. Council members also endorsed public access to more frequent updates, and Julian said the village will revise web and newsletter content as details firm up.

Residents who attended committee meetings were told they may follow progress at upcoming Parks and Grounds and finance committee meetings; the Parks and Grounds Committee plans to revisit park items on Feb. 13.

The council did not take a final vote on Page Park at the meeting; work and required submissions to the county were described as ongoing.