UDC approves concept for Broad Rock Creek Park spur, advancing neighborhood green-space plan

The Urban Design Committee on Sept. 11 approved conceptual plans for Broad Rock Creek Park, a multi-acre neighborhood park in Southside that the city has expanded to about 25 acres following a recent land swap.

Parks staff described a phased project that will formalize existing community-created uses, remove invasive species, provide a network of accessible trails and establish a restroom and water-filling station as an initial investment. Daniel Haslett of Parks & Recreation said phase 1 funding will support a restroom with small maintenance storage and create an accessible loop trail intended as an “art loop” for existing community art installations; he also said Dominion recently cleared about 3 acres of bamboo as part of early site work.

Landscape architect Scott Wiley and Parks staff explained community engagement efforts, including work with local youth and ARCA/ Virginia Community Voice to generate temporary art interventions that shaped the conceptual design. Committee members praised the project as a long-running community-led effort and noted the plan includes riparian restoration and coordination with an already-funded stream-restoration grant (SLAF) on Broad Rock / Good Creek.

The committee voted to approve the concept and noted priorities for future design: preserve and expand natural habitat where possible (favoring reforestation and native meadow instead of open lawn), provide public-access connections that could serve as a Fall Line Trail spur or trailhead, and ensure the restroom and water station are designed for trail users. Staff said additional elements such as overlooks, nature-play and interpretive signage are planned for later phases and will be developed with continued community engagement.

The motion to approve was carried unanimously.