After some confusion with Fairfax County Parks (I received a twitter saying there are no plans to provide any activated zones in Scotts Run Nature Preserve) I thought I’d provide a bit of information about what I think is an opportunity with the Scotts Run Station Plan. First things first, the confusion. Scotts Run is suffering from… let’s call it Tysons syndrome, in which a hundred different things are all called basically the same thing.
There is Scotts Run; a stream that exists inside and outside of Tysons all the way to the Potomac. There is Scotts Run Community Park; a recreational area within Tysons. There is Scotts Run Park; a trailed area north of Tysons. There is Scotts Run Crossing, a road in Tysons near the McLean metro station. Lastly there is Scotts Run Station, a project that includes two dozen buildings and a stream restoration in Tysons (guess which stream).
I think that there is a problem here with the name of the park area encompassed by Scotts Run Station. Obviously, some naming effort, is needed for this small but important green space in Tysons.
Now that we know which Scotts Run Park we are talking about; what would an activated and engaged area look like?
Actually, a lot of the design is incorporated into Scotts Run Station. The interwoven trails, the overlooks, the seating areas, etc are all great but it lacks the space needed to hold small permitted events. I think what could be added pretty easily, and without impact to the stream, is a durable wood platform over the stream which will allow for rainfall to be unimpeded, provide a unique overlook of the stream, and act as a stage for small events. Along the stream bank could be some amphitheater seating for 30 or 40 people which, when there isn’t a performance, could act as a gathering area for the community.
Any time you have events near a natural area there is a fear that trash could end up in the stream. In our look last summer during the CSG walking tour I noticed there was plenty of garbage, plastics, and cans located in the stream bed, so it is not true that without an activated zone that polluting will not occur. In fact, the more engaged the area is, the more populated and used the park is, the less likely truants are to pollute and be confronted. Add in as a requirement that any permitted large gathering will be required to perform recycling/garbage collection afterwards and you have conditions for combining urban areas and natural areas.
Without engaging this space, it is likely to become a dump ground for commuters as they walk home. Instead it can be a unique location in Tysons, located with transit accessibility, capable of hosting events with the adjacent park and ride (perfect for food trucks in off-peak hours), and engaged with the community that will grow around it. Instead of being a pathway for getting from Point A to Point B, it can become a destination.