New Lawn, Pavilion And Playground Move Proposed For Reston's South Lakes Drive Park

RESTON, VA — South Lakes Drive Park would get a new community lawn and pavilion, a relocated playground and basketball court, and an accessible walking loop under a renovation plan for which Fairfax County will seek $1.9 million in federal funding.

Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D-Hunter Mill) introduced a measure during Tuesday's Fairfax County Board of Supervisors meeting to authorize the Fairfax County Park Authority to apply for the nationally competitive grant, according to an announcement from his office. The board adopted Alcorn's measure.

The 13.9-acre neighborhood park at 11851 South Lakes Drive was built in the early 1980s. The Park Authority considers it among its highest-priority parks for improvements under the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the announcement.

Alcorn said the federal funding, combined with county money, would help improve the park’s layout and facilities and expand recreation opportunities for residents of all ages.

Playground, Basketball Court Would Move

The proposal would reorganize the park around a central recreation area, moving and replacing the playground and basketball court now located along its wooded edges. Their new location would be more visible and closer to the primary parking lot.

A community lawn and pavilion would provide space for neighborhood gatherings, family activities and informal recreation. Creating that space would require removing the park’s existing baseball diamond.

Youth sports groups would have access to another diamond four miles away that is slated for upgrades, according to the announcement. It does not identify that facility.

The existing rectangular athletic field would receive refreshed turf and irrigation. A paved, accessible loop trail would connect the park’s major amenities with existing neighborhood paths.

The plan also calls for planting native hardwood forest where the playground and basketball court now sit, along with new furnishings, signs, drainage and stormwater improvements.

County Would Match Federal Funding

The grant would come through the National Park Service’s Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership program, which requires an equivalent local funding contribution.

Fairfax County would contribute $1,974,930 from previously approved park bonds, bringing the estimated project cost to more than $3.9 million. The specific bond funding would be identified later.

If the grant application is unsuccessful, the Park Authority plans to pay for the entire project with bond funds.

Applications are due Nov. 1, with grant award announcements expected in May, according to Alcorn’s office.

If selected, the Park Authority would complete a required environmental compliance process expected to take six to 12 months. Grant funds would then be awarded in May 2028, with five years to complete the project.

Accepting the federal funding would require South Lakes Drive Park to remain a public outdoor recreation area permanently.