Residents Asked for Suggestions on Updating, New Uses for Langley Fork Park

A land swap may be in the works to finally give Fairfax County title to Langley Forks Park located on Georgetown Pike, a neighbor to the CIA and the Claude Moore Colonial Parm.

The county manages the park that is owned by the National Park Service.

A land swap was hinted at when the county Park Authority sent out a notice asking McLean neighbors to attend a public hearing Oct. 13 to talk about updating the 30-year-old master plan for recreational uses at Langley Fork.

As part of updating the master plan, "The Park Authority is considering an equitable land exchange with (the National Park Service), whereby the Park Authority could acquire ownership of Langley Fork Park from NPS in exchange for an equally valued portion of nearby Langley Oaks Park," the meeting notice said.

"We've been after this kind of thing for a very long time," said Frank Crandall, McLean's authority on parkland and chair of the Environment, Parks and Recreation Committee of the McLean Citizens Association.

The National Park Service requires that it receive land of equal value in any swap, Crandall said.

"The Park Authority (FCPA) has leased the Langley Fork property from NPS for a number of years and has long had the fervent desire of acquiring ownership as a permanent FCPA park," Crandall said. "However, federal law doesn’t allow straight divestiture of NPS land but does allow land swaps.  Our Dranesville FCPA board member, Kevin Fay, has been a prime mover in trying to arrange a suitable land swap that would make permanent acquisition possible."

Updating a master plan could also mean installing turf fields, said Dranesville Supervisor John Foust.

In 1981 when the first master plan was completed, McLean was a community of about 35,000 people, most of whom were government workers. Today, McLean is a community of nearly 50,000.

Langley Fork Park, which is approximately 54 acres, is located at the northwest corner of Georgetown Pike and Colonial Farm Road. The park is currently contains two diamond fields, two rectangle fields, basketball courts, fitness trails and parking while much of the park remains wooded, according to the Park Authority.

As Fairfax County continues to grow, the Park Authority revises park master plans to the most appropriate usage of parkland and resources in context with a park's surroundings. "Growth in the McLean area and the demand for active recreation fields indicate the merit of re-evaluating the best usage of Langley Fork Park," the Park Authority said in its public hearing announcement.

Crandall cited one of the issues that needs exploring: The very popular Clemyjontri Park is across the street and needs more parking. Clemyjontri is a colorful park complete with rides and amusements for all children, including those with disabilities. It's become a magnet for moms and tots.

Public Meeting: Oct. 13, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Franklin Sherman Elementary

To provide comments throughout the planning process or for further information on the Langley Fork Park Master Plan, contact Gayle Hooper, Project Manager, Park Planning Branch, Planning and Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 703-324-8725 or through Parkmail.