Open Space Master Plan
As Arlington has grown from a sleepy suburban hamlet to a thriving urban metropolis, the protection and acquisition of open space has increasingly become a priority of the County's citizenry.
Towards this end, the County formally adopted an Open Space Master Plan in 1994, and is currently in the process of updating and expanding it. In the new Open Space Master Plan, improving pedestrian connectivity plays a central role, and responds to a clear-cut desire of the community. According to a survey conducted in 2002, over one in five households said that connecting trails is an important improvement that should be made to Arlington park facilities. In addition, nearly 1 in 3 households said that the most needed park facility was biking and walking trails. This information, coupled with the 67% of households that stated that they walk to nearby parks, helps to make the case for increasing the walking amenities in Arlington.
Since the WALKArlington Pedestrian Initiative is the County's coordinated effort to improve the pedestrian environment and connect all parts of Arlington including the park system, by strengthening the pedestrian network, neighborhoods will be enhanced and the park system will be made more accessible to everyone.
For more information on both the 1994 Open Space Master Plan and its pending revision, visit the County's Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Resources Department website.
