The Dawson Terrace Park renovation sought to upgrade site amenities, improve accessibility and be appropriate for the local historic district. The Park is located on the property of the Dawson-Bailey House, one of the oldest structures remaining in Arlington County surveyed and described in 1696, surviving Civil War fortifications along the Potomac River. The historic nature of the site and building required park improvements to closely coordinate with the County's Historic Affairs and Landmark Review Board (HALRB) and Design Review Committee (DRC) as being appropriate.
Pre-Covid in-person Stakeholder outreach served as the foundation for programming and conceptualization augmented by an online project page. Arlington County teamed with A. Morton Thomas and Associates, Inc. (AMT) to advance the community's vision for the park neighborhood space. Critical design elements included respect of the historic building and site while providing safe and engaging contemporary amenities. The $1.5 million construction contract began in summer 2018 with construction being completed in May 2019.
The pre-existing condition of Dawson Terrace Park was fragmented, disorganized and failing, resulting in maintenance constraints and patchworked temporary "fixes." The site included outdated playground, non-regulation basketball courts and limited seating. It also lacked stormwater treatment and ADA accessibility.

 
Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation provided a conceptual design inclusive of playgrounds, multipurpose court for sports and undefined open play. Historically appropriate materials, a green screen, modernized lighting, and a tree preserved canopy enhanced the park uses while updated car/bicycle parking and accessible walkways improve connectivity. Deconstructed play equipment was donated for re-use purposes.
Stormwater management is integrated in two places. The main facility located beneath the playground treats the multipurpose court, playground, and new paving areas. The remainder of the rainwater treatment is through a structured bioretention located in the parking lot. In the playground facility, the critical root zones of specimen trees were protected with high performance lightweight aggregate, triaxle geogrid and root aeration matting (RAM) which distribute the playground's weight and maintained water and oxygen. Playground curbing of grading beams and caissons protects tree roots and limits root pruning.
DPR and AMT designed play spaces defined for 2-5 and 5-12 age groups inclusive of all abilities. Play spaces and equipment pieces foster imagination and shape development with varying forms, textures, materials, gathering spots, challenges, colors, and movements.
The multipurpose court accommodates one full-court basketball game or two half-court games with hopscotch, foursquare, and a human sundial. The lines for the adjacent retaining wall and stairs mirror historic building lines. A future natural surface trail was incorporated.
An unusually wet fall and winter hindered construction. The park attracts a diversity of users and serves as a jewel in the County's public park system, ranked #4 nationally, according to the Trust for Public Landscapes (TPL). DPR and AMT are pleased that the park's renovation helped create an amenity for the immediate community and a destination for visitors. The preservation and enhancement of historical elements, addition of contemporary elements, and consideration of environmental components help to create a unique community space.
The upcoming Parks Issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .

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