Tomorrow is Our Birthday!

DPR is 78! Established on July 22, 1944, DPR manages 147 parks, 14 community centers, 77 playgrounds and 49+ miles of trails - not to mention the hundreds of classes and programs! Want to learn more about DPR's history? Check out this timeline. Thanks to YOU, our incredible staff, who keep us young!   

Free COVID-19 Test Kits

Free COVID-19 rapid test kits are available for pick up at our community centers and through the federal government. Worried about expired kits? This article from the FDA explains the expiration dates and that the kits may last longer than indicated.

Nelson Majano Arriaza

Nelson is the new Trades Manager at Long Bridge Aquatics & Fitness Center. Prior to joining us in Arlington, he was a Building Maintenance Manager for the Bozzuto Group and has been in the field for 15 years. This self-proclaimed foodie enjoys trying new restaurants with his family, playing soccer three times a week and watching TV (Game of Thrones, Vikings, or anything Marvel). He looks forward to growing his skills here in Arlington.  

Brittany Martin

Brittany is the new Administrative Services Specialist for the Athletic and Facilities Services Division. She comes to us from Arlington Public Libraries where she spent four years as a Library Assistant at the Columbia Pike and Aurora Hills branches. When she isn’t studying for her BA in history at the University of Maryland, she is collecting vinyl/comics and roller skating. Come visit her at Lubber Run!

Julia (Jules) Pei

Jules is thrilled to return to her home in Northern Virginia as a Management Analyst with DPR. She is looking forward to continuing her public service career, as she previously worked as a Data Manager with the Boston Public Health Commission, and as a Policy Intern with Seattle Public Utilities. During her free time, nearly all of it is spent playing volleyball (indoor, outdoor, sand, grass, doubles, you name it!) with her partner and friends or discovering new eateries in the area. Happy to have you, Jules!

Sonja Hird Clark is the new Gymnastics Teams Program Manager supporting the Aerials and Tigers. She previously held many roles within Arlington's Gymnastics programs and has worked for Arlington County for 18 years, with over 25 years of experience teaching gymnastics in parks and recreation programs. She is a mom of twin daughters and loves spending time going on adventures with her family. She is excited to work with the gymnastics teams and ensure that gymnastics is safe, fun and inclusive for all. 

County Board Adopts $3.9 Billion Ten-Year Capital Improvement Plan

The $3.9 billion FY2023-FY2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) was approved on Tuesday! What does that mean for DPR? $270.6 million in funding was allocated for new and ongoing Parks & Rec programs. And we need your help! Scroll to the end of the newsletter to learn more about the projects on deck and how the Parks Planning team will engage with your teams for all-staff input.

How to Sell Your Story

Learn how to sell your own compelling story on your next job application or during your next job interview at these DPR staff-only trainings. Note that these trainings do not need to be completed in any particular order.

Selling Your Story Through the Interview

Identify key strategies to do well in an interview – preparing potential questions, practicing, making a good impression, answering the questions, dressing professionally and knowing about the job on Wed., Aug. 17, 1-2:30 p.m. at Trades. You will receive feedback in the moment through mock interviews. Sign up here.

How to Capture Your Story in the Application

Learn how to best fill out an application so that you can land the interview! Understand the application process and its importance, search for the right position and match your skills to job announcements - what to include, how to promote yourself, using key words and proofreading your work. Register for Tues., July 26, 1-2:30 p.m. at Trades or Thurs., August 18, 9-10:30 a.m. virtually in Teams.

View details in the Learning Center.

New Name for 11th & Danville

And the winner is...11th Street Park! Following a robust public engagement process, the park located at 11th and Danville Streets was renamed 11th St Park. Construction is currently underway for park improvements, including new site furnishings, renovation of lawn areas, plantings and more. Learn more about the project here.

Capital Improvement Plan (continued)

The FY 23-FY32 CIP includes a large amount of funding for a multitude of DPR projects. Over the next several years these projects will involve staff from across the department. Be on the lookout for staff from the Park Development Division reaching out to you or your teams as these projects begin to start over the next several years. Due to the impacts on County revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic, the County has not approved a 10-year CIP since FY 2019, opting for a series of short-term CIPs. Interested in learning more about the CIP? You can find it all here.

Here are some of the highlights that impact parks and recreation:

• Master Plan Program: Includes funds over the 10 years for Arlington Boathouse, Rosslyn Gateway Park, Jennie Dean Park Phase 2, Short Bridge Park, Three Urban Parks, Crystal City Parks and Public Spaces, the conversion to synthetic turf at Kenmore Middle School, Fairfax Drive Public Spaces, Penrose Square Phase 2, Quincy Park, Shirlington Park and Virginia Highlands Park and Nearby Public Spaces.
• Emerging Uses Program: This new program will provide consistent funds on a biannual basis to proactively address new uses and issues in our parks in a timely manner. The first year of the program in FY2023 will address pickleball. The program will provide funds to convert the outdoor courts at the Walter Reed Community Center into a permanent pickleball facility. It will also provide funding to create multi-use courts at several of DPR’s existing tennis courts by adding pickleball lines to them. For more information on the timing of these improvements, Pickleball Timeline
• Natural Resilience Program: This new program will allow DPR to focus on our natural resources, climate change, biophilia, and flood resiliency in a way that the CIP has not before. The biannual program starting in FY2024 will look to undertake large scale reforestation and invasive removal projects, stream erosion issues, adding biophilic elements to planned projects, and undertake a flood resilient park project where amenities and flood waters can coexist to achieve multiple goals.
• Enhanced Park Trail and Bridge Program: Design for replacement of pedestrian bridges at Alcova Heights Park and Bluemont Park, design and construction of trail improvements at 26^thStreet North and Old Dominion Drive, milling and paving of Donaldson Run Trail, milling and paving of a portion of the Four Mile Run Trail in Glencarlyn Park, and undertaking a trail pavement condition assessment study. 
• Park Capital Maintenance Projects: Include construction of Bluemont Park tennis courts and related amenities, replacement of the Greenbrier Park running track, and renovations at Monroe Park, Bailey’s Branch Park, Douglas Park and Woodmont Park.
• Synthetic Field Turf Replacement Projects: Wakefield High School, Washington-Liberty High School and Williamsburg Middle School.