Article Text

Accessibility renovations are expected to begin in early August at Westgrove Dog Park in Groveton, but the off-leash area will not close completely while the work is underway.

Half of the dog park will remain open during construction, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority. The project is expected to be completed in September 2026.

The improvements will add ADA-compliant engineered wood-fiber surfacing and accessible picnic tables to the dog park, which is located inside Westgrove Park at 6801 Fort Hunt Road.

“The new engineered wood fiber surfacing will provide a more accessible, maintainable and resilient surface than the existing conditions,” the Park Authority said.

The work follows more than a decade of use at the dog park. The off-leash area has experienced heavy use since it was created, and the planned improvements are intended to provide a more accessible surface while supporting continued maintenance of the site.

The project is being carried out through a public-private partnership between the Park Authority and the Westgrove Pumphouse Association for Canine Kindness, commonly known as Westgrove P.A.C.K.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved just over $10,000 from the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program to cover half of the project’s costs. That approval occurred in December. Westgrove P.A.C.K. funded the other half.

The arrangement builds on the two organizations’ existing responsibilities at the dog park. Under a memorandum of understanding with Fairfax County, Westgrove P.A.C.K. pays the site’s maintenance costs, while the Park Authority retains ownership.

For dog park users, the partial closure means some off-leash space will remain available throughout the renovation period. The construction will divide access to the park rather than shutting down the entire facility while the new surface and picnic tables are installed.

The accessibility upgrades also reflect the shared funding structure behind the project. County grant money is covering one half of the work, while Westgrove P.A.C.K. is paying for the other half in addition to its ongoing maintenance responsibilities under the county agreement.

The precise total cost was not reported. The Park Authority’s contribution was described as just over $10,000 and as half of the project funding, with Westgrove P.A.C.K. providing the matching share.

Work is expected to continue through September, when the renovation is scheduled to be completed. Until then, half of Westgrove Dog Park is expected to remain open as the Park Authority and Westgrove P.A.C.K. complete the new ADA-compliant surface and install the accessible tables.