Quantum Field in Tysons by Fairfax County Park Authority used with permission.

How do you build more parks and public spaces in an area that’s constrained on size? Tysons, which only about four square miles total, has a goal of expanding its parkland to meet the demand of a growing population and workforce by 2050. To do that, it’s getting creative.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is working with developers and other partners in Tysons to use every inch of available land for green space. For example, Fairfax County officials are infusing green space into cramped spaces with pocket parks and linear parks, and are finding places to install common greens and civic plazas. They’re also rethinking how these spaces are cared for, partnering with developers who will maintain spaces that they’ll keep open to the public.

“People are really thinking outside the box in terms of what works for the community and the people who work there and live there,” said Judy Pedersen, Public Information Officer with the Fairfax County Park Authority. “In Tysons in 2010, there were about 89 acres of parkland, and as of today, there’s about 112 acres of park land. And there’s more to come.”

In fact, Tysons has about 63 acres of parkland that has been proffered and committed by developers, but has yet to be built. The goal is about 1.5 acres of parkland for every 1,000 people, and one acre of parkland per every 10,000 employees, according to the Park Authority.

A map of proffered park space, from a Tysons annual report document.

The amount of land already proffered for use for parklands. 

Everyone from urban planners to health experts to scientists extol the benefits of green spaces. The Center for Disease Control notes that parks can improve mental health, reduce air and water pollution, and help bolster community engagement. They also help communities gel together.

“Park spaces are really essential to creating a culture and vibrancy in Tysons,” said Andrea L. Dorlester, Development Review Section Chief of Park Planning & Development Division of the Fairfax County Park Authority. “They contribute to the sense of place. They provide space for community gathering, for festivals, for events. People to come out of their big, tall buildings and interact in the public realm.”

A person plays in Atrium Park near the Boro. Image used with permission.

But it doesn’t mean everything is diminutive in size. Just this past June, Tysons wrapped up Quantum Field, a 180-by-360-foot surface that is available for five different kinds of sports, according to the Fairfax County website.

Other examples are the Atrium and Magnetic Parks near the Boro, a residential apartment building. Together, they comprise about an acre of urban park space with civic plazas, an open lawn area, a performance stage, interactive fountains, sculpture, landscaping, and seating, according to Tysons annual report.

Magnetic Park near the Boro at dusk. Image by the author.

To help facilitate a greener vision for a Tysons, the Parks Authority worked with officials, advocates, and other partners to create the Tysons Park Systems Concept Plan, which is designed to compliment Tysons’ comprehensive plan.

“Tysons I think is going to end up being, from a parks perspective, one of the more unique, well thought-out parks system areas and urban areas…I would say in the country, not just in this region,” Pedersen said.

As Tysons’ leaders work toward building a 24/7 urban center out of an “edge-city” built around cars, parks and green space will likely play a vital role in that transformation.

  • Tysons Partnership

This article is part of our ongoing coverage of Tysons underwritten by the Tysons Partnership and community partners. Greater Greater Washington maintains full editorial independence over its content.

George Kevin Jordan was GGWash's Editor-in-Chief. He is a proud resident of Hillcrest in DC's Ward 7. He was born and raised in Milwaukee and has written for many publications, most recently the AFRO and about HIV/AIDS issues for TheBody.com.