Minor Hill Task Force Project Proposal
Tabled For Discussion at the 18 February 2001 Meeting
(This proposal has been revised. See Project Proposal Draft 3.)

As envisioned in the Williamsburg Conservation Plan, we propose the construction of a tot lot on Minor Hill of some 2500 square feet. This lot would be designed and constructed for preschool children (aged two to five) and would serve to complement the Chestnut Hills Playground on Harrison Street, which is designed for children ages five to twelve. The tot lot, for daytime use only, would have child-friendly wood fiber protective floor and a safety fence and would feature support elements such as park benches and tables (for accompanying parents and others). The tot lot would meet ADA requirements. The tot lot would be equipped with child-friendly and safety-enhanced playground equipment.

In addition, this project would involve a package of small improvements for Minor Hill/Emily Sharp Park including: additional park benches, picnic tables, plantings (including wild flowers), Purple Martin birdhouses, and appropriate and coordinated landscaping for both Minor Hill and Emily Sharp Park.

As part of this 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 provide alternative scenarios containing recommendations for project components which can be funded under a variety of programs.

The estimated cost of this proposal is about $240,000.

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