The inclusive playground at McLean’s Clemyjontri Park remains a gem of Fairfax County, but after two decades of operations, the local park authority is contemplating a refresh.
With much of the original equipment nearing or exceeding its expected life cycle, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) plans to fully renovate the playground with the goal of creating a place “where every child can play,” according to a press release.
“Rather than simply replacing aging equipment, the Park Authority is reimagining the entire playground for a new generation of visitors,” the FCPA said when announcing the project last Thursday (Oct. 1). “The vision builds on Clemyjontri’s legacy of inclusive play, while creating new opportunities for children, families, caregivers and visitors of all ages and abilities to play, explore, connect and enjoy the outdoors together.”
Constructed in 2006, the sprawling playground is the centerpiece of Clemyjontri Park (6317 Georgetown Pike), which sits on 18 acres of land donated to the park authority by Adele Lebowitz in 2000 with the goal of providing a play experience accessible to children of all abilities.
In addition to standard swings, slides and other apparatuses, the playground features ramps to elevated equipment, lowered monkey bars, swings with high backs and armrests, rubber surfacing for easy navigation by wheelchairs, elements that incorporate Braille and sign language, and more.
The playground equipment has undergone routine maintenance and repairs over the years, but the FCPA says the time has now come for a “comprehensive” renovation that expands on the original vision for the park, which also offers a carousel and some trails.
“The Park Authority has selected landscape architecture firm Hoerr Schaudt to lead the design of the revitalized playground,” the FCPA said. “The emerging universal design will explore new play experiences, landscapes and amenities inspired by the diversity of Northern Virginia’s people and places, while preserving the spirit that has made Clemyjontri such a special destination.”
The renovation will focus exclusively on Clemyjontri’s playground and won’t affect the park master plan last updated in 2022, FCPA spokesperson Andy Grabel confirmed to FFXnow.
The revised master plan opened the door for an arts center to be built as the park’s next phase of development, but that’s not expected to move forward any time soon, if ever, after the McLean Project for the Arts — which had advocated for the facility — decided to establish a new arts and education center in downtown McLean instead.
According to Grabel, the park authority is still in the “early” stages of its project to reimagine Clemyjontri’s playground. An initial vision will be shared with the community at a public meeting on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m. in the Twin Lakes Golf Course ballroom at 6201 Union Mill Road in Clifton.
“Because Clemyjontri Park is a destination park that attracts visitors from around the county, the Park Authority decided to host the meeting at a more centrally-located space in Fairfax County that can accommodate 200+ people,” Grabel said when asked why the meeting isn’t being held close to Clemyjontri Park in McLean. “Twin Lakes provides the capacity and open environment that works well for community engagement.”
Following the meeting, the FCPA will accept online feedback on its proposal until 5 p.m. on Dec. 7.
According to the current project timeline, at least one follow-up community meeting is planned, likely in early 2027.
The park authority hopes to obtain funding for the main elements of the renovation through the 2026 Park Bond referendum, which would deliver $180 million to fund capital projects if approved by voters in the upcoming Nov. 3 election. Early voting is underway.
“After the public meeting on November 5th, we will have a better understanding of the total cost that is to be earmarked in the 2026 Park Bond,” Grabel said. “FCPA is also exploring other financial avenues to help this project.”
One option could be philanthropy. At some point, the Fairfax County Park Foundation will begin accepting donations to support additional amenities beyond what the FCPA is able to fund through the money allocated from bond sales, assuming the referendum passes.
“Community support will make it possible to bring added elements to life and further strengthen Clemyjontri’s legacy of inclusive, joyful play,” the park authority said.
