Minor Hill/Emily Sharp Park Use Plan/Improvements Project
Task Force Project Proposal
Draft 3 – Tabled For Discussion at the 18 March 2001 Meeting

As envisioned in the Williamsburg Conservation Plan, we propose the development of a Minor Hill/Emily Sharp Use Plan to guide the future development of these two areas, the only open space in the Williamsburg neighborhood. This project would also involve a package of small improvements for Minor Hill/Emily Sharp Park including: more effective and neighbor-friendly lighting; additional park benches; picnic tables; vandal-proof trash receptacles; plantings including Virginia wildflowers; purple marten birdhouses; and coordinated landscaping and signage for both Minor Hill and Emily Sharp Park. We will also seek the installation of an exercise path/nature trail on Minor Hill.

As part of the overall project, Arlington County would retain a consultant (selected through a competitive bidding process) to pursue short and long-term uses (both active and passive) for Minor Hill/Emily Sharp Park, including the large area above the water reservoirs (called the platform in the Williamsburg Conservation Plan). The County staff would also work with Williamsburg Civic Association to create schematic drawings illustrating short-term measures to improve the appearance and usability of this area.

The Minor Hill Use Plan will include:

• Site inventory and analysis (cataloging existing site features and a listing of opportunities and constraints for use of Minor Hill/Emily Sharp).
• Listing of neighborhood/County priorities and objectives.
• Use plan which provides alternative scenarios containing recommendations for project components which can be funded under a variety of programs.

This overall project proposal has been coordinated with members of the Arlington County Neighborhood Conservation, Public Works, and Parks and Recreation staffs.

As an immediate improvement to the Minor Hill property, we propose the planting of low-maintenance trees and shrubs along the Powhatan Street edge of Minor Hill to form a visual and aesthetic barrier for the reservoir platform and to beautify what is now an ugly vista. We will also request installation of signs on Minor Hill acknowledging its importance to the local community as a first settlement, Civil War site, and centerpiece for the community. In addition, we propose the placement of a textured crosswalk across Powhatan Street giving access to Minor Hill and installation of appropriate traffic signs to the east and west of this crosswalk. We recommend that Arlington County review traffic flow and speeds on Powhatan Street, now perceived as problematic by some residents.

We propose the upgrading of the existing walking paths in Emily Sharp, using wooden edging and wood chip beds.

We urge the installation of low-hanging lighting at the lower rear of the Minor Hill reservoir platform to discourage misuse of this area.

We also propose measures to enhance erosion control and improvement of drainage at Emily Sharp Park.

The estimated cost of this proposal is about $170,000, including:

• Use plan: $40,000
• Landscaping and plantings: $60,000
• Park benches and tables (movable): $3,000
• Signs: $4,000
• Birdhouses: $1,000
• Crosswalk to Minor Hill: $25,000
• Exercise/nature trail: $26,000
• Contingency: $11,000

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