Friendship Heights council backs Paige Park changes, approves raised play surface and wood decking

Martha Soult, chair of the Friendship Heights Village Council, on Monday moved and the council unanimously approved modifications to the Paige Park playground and associated stormwater concept that will raise the play surface and use a wood-decking approach for the path under the pergola.

The changes adopt the Parks & Grounds Committee recommendation to "make the children's play area flush with the surrounding area by filling the circular depression" and to "change the composition of the ramp to access under the pergola from a concrete like product to a wood decking like product," Soult said when she made the motion. The motion passed after a second from Al Mohler.

Project manager Jim Wilson told the council the playground's interior circle is small and that an internal ADA ramp would consume much of that space. "The ramp needs... 36 inches wide, and it's gonna have handrails," Wilson said, describing why he proposed raising the mulch surface to match the adjacent walking surface rather than building a ramp into the depression. He also recommended replacing a concrete sidewalk approach with an elevated, pier-supported deck to avoid cutting tree roots and to increase pervious area.

The change is part of a broader stormwater management concept submitted to the county for review. Wilson said the engineer expects the county's first review back by the end of July; if multiple review cycles are required, each could add about 30 days before full concept approval and subsequent engineered drawings are completed.

Public commenters supported the adjustments. Resident Art Perry said he "very much endorse[d] Jim's approach of the wooden path" and suggested routing the walkway from the pergola arc to shorten the run and avoid removing trees. Resident Lois raised concerns about maintenance and local dogs damaging rain-garden plantings, saying, "The dogs have destroyed a lot of plant material in that" park area. Wilson acknowledged the risk, said bio-retention areas require establishment and care, and recommended signage and plant selection first, reserving fences as a later option if problems persist.

Council members asked whether the design changes would require another council vote; Wilson said the team and designers would work out slope and engineering details and that the proposed adjustments were intended as less expensive, less disruptive substitutions that could be incorporated without returning for another full vote.

The council's approval is procedural for the design concept; the stormwater concept is now in county review and, pending county feedback and any required engineering drawings, will move toward implementation.