The Arlington Parks and Recreation Department plans to unveil the new construction at High Oak Park in Arlington on May 16, 2015, and the public is invited.

DEDICATION CEREMONY INFORMATION:

Date: May 16, 2015
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: High Oak Park

The 12.1 acre park site is surrounded by both multi-family and single family dwellings. The site was previously occupied by the High Oak Terrace Apartments which were constructed in 1970 and consisted of 132 units. Numerous code complaints and reports of crime were recorded in 2002 and 2003. In 2003, the property failed City and Federal inspections, and the tenants were relocated. The resulting high vacancy caused the property owners to default on their loan.

The City saw an opportunity to replace substandard multi-family rental housing with single family owner-occupied housing and purchased the property in August 2004 with HUD funds. The remaining tenants were relocated and the property was demolished. Also as a part of the buyout process the City purchased three adjacent properties, relocated the tenants, and demolished the structures to make room for the new dwelling units. However, in 2011, due to the decline in the housing market, the decision was made to forego new housing as previously proposed and repurpose the property as a neighborhood park.

After the decision to turn the site into a park two public meetings were held to solicit input from the surrounding neighborhood regarding proposed amenities to be incorporated in a master plan for the site. Based on citizen feedback, plan improvements include a playground, hike/bike concrete trail, pavilion, soft surface nature trail, split rail fencing, irrigated open space, wild flower areas, exercise stations, and a parking lot.

Phase I improvements include clearing the site of all debris remaining from the demolition of several streets and the apartment complex, removing all existing utilities, installing a split rail fence along the perimeter, re-grading a large portion of the site, re-establishing turf in specific areas, and constructing a concrete hike/bike trail.