Construction on Idylwood park trail, playground and more to begin in July

Residents near Ruckstuhl Park in Idylwood will soon have a trail, playground and other amenities to explore, but first, they must endure some construction.

Active site work to implement the master plan for the 7.2-acre park at 2445 Idylwood Road is expected to begin by early July, the Fairfax County County Park Authority said yesterday (Thursday).

The Arlington-based company TMG Construction has been contracted for the project.

“During construction, neighbors may experience occasional construction traffic entering and exiting the park via Idylwood Road,” the FCPA said.

Approved by the park authority’s board in December, the planned new amenities include a trail loop, a nature-themed playground, a picnic pavilion, an open play area, a “fitness cluster” and a parking lot with up to 20 spaces.

The project stems from a Ruckstuhl Park master plan developed in 2015 after the FCPA bought the land from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, which had acquired it as a donation from former resident Dr. Lily Ruckstuhl.

The park authority estimates that the project to develop the park will cost a total of $2.5 million, which is being covered by park bond sales approved by voters in 2020.

“Construction is projected to be completed by summer 2024,” the FCPA said.