To most people whizzing by the desolate-looking property at 8800  Richmond Highway (U.S. 1) largely devoid of life, with a gravel parking lot and an empty roadside sign frame looming, it’s a mystery. There’s a ramshackle collection of buildings, some behind a dark green mesh screen stretched across a chain link fence and miscellaneous discarded odds and ends, including a power mower, black plastic bags stuffed with something, rubber tires and a hand-sprayed “No Parking” sign. 

It’s hard to picture this as a park, but some day it could be, according to Fairfax County officials.

In a March 3 release, the county announced that in part thanks to a $2.8 million state grant, the county will acquire 7.9 acres, eliminate development and impervious surfaces, reforest the land and generally restore it, including part of the adjoining Dogue Creek on the south side which flows east under the highway.  Much of the property is in the 100-year floodplain and in a Chesapeake Bay Resource Protection Area, laws that add a layer of conservation considerations generally designed to prevent flooding and enhance water quality. 

“This important acquisition marks a significant step in our ongoing efforts to protect and restore our local natural resources,” said Jeff McKay, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck lauded the effort to preserve environmentally sensitive lands and said that “open access to the beautiful Dogue Creek and potential future park land is a huge win for our residents.”

“Future actions for the site will include documenting that the area is to be maintained as an open space in perpetuity and coordination with VDOT on right of way and easement needs for the Richmond Highway expansion project, as well as coordination with other stakeholders,” the announcement explained.

A Long Time Coming

The county’s news release called the land “a prime candidate for redevelopment,” noting that since 2017 the county has received “multiple proposals to redevelop this site for residential or mixed use.” For example, in 2018, the then-owners sought some exceptions to current laws to build 43 townhomes on the land.

 Opponents then argued that the county should not sanction development in a floodplain or in an environmental quality corridor and that if restored, the property could be part of a conservation corridor since it connects to Pole Road Park and Dogue Creek flows into the Potomac River.

They pointed out that the Embark Richmond Highway plan states that 38 additional acres of park are needed in a part of Fairfax County that has a parks deficit. Embark Richmond Highway is the county’s revitalization project along a 7.5-mile stretch of the Richmond Highway Corridor. Embark envisions a series of mixed-used centers and a bus rapid transit system, plus roadway, pedestrian and bicycle changes and ultimately an extension of the Metrorail yellow line to Hybla Valley. County documents also say that the Embark project will have “enhanced open space and park systems.” 

Pre-interstate highways, U.S. Route 1 was a major national artery that connected Maine with Key West, Florida. On 8800’s history, Storck said “This site has a rich history dating back to colonial times, including the Dogue Indians, George Washington and a piece of Americana as Route 1 became a travel corridor with roadside attractions like the amusement park once here.” Now, some day, the roadside attraction may be the beauty and healing power of nature.