Pedestrian walkway improvements and more planned at Hook Road in Reston

A proposal for improvements to the Hook Road Recreation Area in Reston is currently under review by the county.

The plan would include new pedestrian walkways, traffic safety measures, improvements to existing pedestrian walkways, a restroom pavilion and the repositioning of a baseball field on the site.

At a Reston Association Board of Directors’ meeting on March 23, capital projects director Chris Schumaker said a site plan has been resubmitted to the county after an initial round of comments. RA is also working on drafting an application that will go before the Design Review Board.

A timeline for both initiatives was not known, but members noted that the county must respond to RA’s submittal within 45 days of receipt.

Board member John Farrell pushed staff to stay on top of the expeditious review of the proposal. He said he was gravely concerned about the need for traffic safety improvement measures.

Years ago, when he coached at the park, Farrell spent most of his time trying to keep kids or their siblings out of the street, he said.

“We can’t move those backstops and get those kids out of those streets without this site plan approved. I’ve been banging on this before I even got on the board and I don’t want to have a seven year old get killed on that street,” Farrell said.

RA CEO Mac Cummins said staff is working on the issue and would receive Fairfax County’s approval soon. Permit fees are currently being processed for payment, Schumaker added.

The project is in the early phases of design, architecture and engineering. Procurement will follow after the current phase is completed.

The recreation area was developed in 1965 with the addition of tennis and basketball amenities in 1973.

Image via Google Maps