The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking for the community’s feedback again on a proposal for developing Salona Park in McLean.
The new concept, which will be presented at a community meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Monday), centers on a half-mile-long walking trail that would loop around the approximately 10-acre site, which currently consists of undeveloped meadows and woods.
Interpretive signs along the trail that explain Salona’s history and natural features are also planned, along with a “modestly sized” parking lot off of Buchanan Street, according to the project’s public comment page.
“The vision for Salona aims to balance public access, historical preservation and natural resource conservation, allowing the community to enjoy this unique space in a way that complements its character,” the park authority said.
The concept has been drastically scaled down from a draft master plan released by the FCPA more than a decade ago that envisioned two athletic fields, an 100-space parking lot, a playground and a picnic area in addition to trails and a “managed” woodland area.
Fairfax County acquired a conservation easement for 41 acres of the historic Salona estate at 1235 Dolley Madison Blvd for $16.1 million in 2006. Under the agreement with owners Daniel and Clive DuVal, the majority of the property had to be preserved as open space, but active recreational uses, such as athletic fields, were allowed on 10 acres.
However, many community members vocally objected to the prospect of athletic fields, arguing that any future park should prioritize preserving the mostly undisturbed natural environment and highlighting its historic significance.
Listed on the Virginia and national registers of historic places, the Salona mansion was built around 1812 and was home to Revolutionary War calvary commander Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, who offered the estate as a rendezvous point for President James Madison and first lady Dolley Madison when they fled the burning White House in 1814.
The home later served as a headquarters for Union General George B. McClellan during the Civil War, from Oct. 1, 1861 until spring 1862, according to its historic place listings.
A task force convened to develop a final plan for the future of Salona ultimately issued a report in December 2013 that recommended trails, a visitors’ center for educational programs and a community farm, but no athletic fields. The group suggested that the county look for other sites in the area for potential athletic facilities, Inside NoVA reported at the time.
Funding to design the new Salona Park was approved by voters in 2020 as part of a parks bond referendum, but the FCPA said that further planning was on hold pending a master plan for nearby Langley Fork Park, a process that was contingent on a long-awaited land exchange with the National Park Service (NPS).
While the park service completed a master plan for Langley Fork in 2019 as part of an environmental review, the land exchange — which would involve the NPS giving Langley Fork Park to the county in return for Langley Oak Park — is still pending.
“The Langley Fork land swap has taken more time than anticipated,” an FCPA spokesperson said. “… The input from NPS will dictate the Master Plan update. In addition, due to the delay in timing, FCPA decided to move forward with Salona.”
The park authority says it’s continuing to “pursue potential opportunities for athletic fields” nearby, noting that enhancements are also underway at Lewinsville Park.
Two of that park’s three rectangular athletic fields were converted to turf last year, and the FCPA anticipates finishing turfing work on the baseball diamond by next summer, according to the spokesperson.
Tonight’s community meeting on the Salona Park concept will be held at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue).
“This meeting will offer an opportunity to view the proposed concept, ask questions and provide input to help shape the future of Salona,” the FCPA said. “Community perspectives are essential in creating a space that both preserves Salona’s heritage and serves as a valuable resource for all.”
Public comments on the proposal can be submitted online starting today until Nov. 12 at 5 p.m.
The timing of the community meeting, initially reported as 7 p.m., has been corrected.
