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County Board adopts Gateway Park master plan to expand tree canopy, dog areas and events space in Rosslyn
Summary
After months of public engagement, the County Board unanimously approved a redesigned Gateway Park master plan that increases tree canopy, preserves pedestrian bridges in key locations, adds dog areas, playgrounds, a flexible lawn and event pavilion, and commits to further design‑development engagement.
The Arlington County Board voted unanimously to adopt the Gateway Park master plan and design guidelines after staff presented the final concept and engagement results.
Parks and Recreation staff told the board the 3.7‑acre Gateway Park — originally constructed in 1986 as part of I‑66 construction and identified for redesign in the Rosslyn Sector Plan — was the subject of three engagement phases with more than 1,600 participants. Staff presented a final concept that combines community preferences: a new pedestrian bridge, large and small dog areas, garden walks with “rooms” for flexible programming, playgrounds for ages 2–5 and 5–12, social groves, restrooms, storage, a pavilion and a flexible lawn intended for both everyday use and special events.
Staff said the final proposal increased proposed tree canopy coverage substantially (staff estimated raising canopy over the site from a baseline to roughly 46% of the site), retained pedestrian bridges over westbound Langston Boulevard and North Fort Myer Drive, revised garden rooms to improve visibility and safety, and added a more direct pedestrian route requested by the Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Staff said the plan would preserve two large mature trees in the northeastern corner and called for at least four feet of soil depth to support canopy health.
John Kelly, a Rosslyn resident, urged caution and raised safety concerns about removal of some pedestrian bridges and urged the county to consider timing while adjacent redevelopment proposals will increase nearby residential density. County engineers said staff had worked with VDOT and the county’s transportation and engineering offices on intersection and bridge clearance and that several capital and Vision Zero improvements were programmed or under way to improve crossings adjacent to the park.
The board discussed park type — staff characterized Gateway as a “metropolitan park” intended to be a destination — and asked about cost and timing. Staff said the design development phase would refine furnishing, planting palettes and initial programming and that their early cost estimate fit within the CIP allocation. Board members emphasized the importance of pedestrian access and requested tracking of safety and transportation improvements as the project advances.
Action: The board adopted the Gateway Park master plan and design guidelines (motion by Board Member Christian Dorsey Carantonis; vote 5–0).
Ending: Staff said two engagement opportunities are planned during design development and the county will continue to coordinate with VDOT, developers and the Rosslyn BID on streetscape and safety improvements.
