1115 Martha Custis Drive

The existing Charles Barrett playground is scheduled to be fully renovated. In 2018, over 270 students and parents completed a playground design survey to

provide input on the uses and playground needs. The new playground will accommodate group activities, with a variety of modern climbing, spinning and sliding equipment. A new obstacle course designed specifically for children will provide other fitness opportunities. The site's stormwater drainage systems will also undergo upgrades, and may feature rain gardens to capture and filter rainwater. To support student drop off and pickup and improve access to the play area, new pathways and seating will be located around the playground.

City Capital Improvement Program (CIP)

Project is substantially complete. Playground opened May 2024.

• Engineering Design and Regulatory Permitting: July - December 2021
• Construction Procurement: Fall 2022 - Spring 2023
• Construction: Fall 2023
• Expected Completion: 2023 - 2024

• Charles Barrett Recreation Playground Design
• Charles Barrett Recreation Play Equipment Colors

• November 2024
  The project has been substantially complete since May. Over the summer new fencing and plantings were installed. Minor punchlist items are being addressed this fall. The new plantings have a one year establishment guarantee.
• May 2024
  The playground safety inspections were completed and outstanding safety items were addressed. The general contractor also completed the major punch list items. The playground re-opened to the public on May 3.  Orange snow fence/silt fence have been installed to protect the newly seeded areas, and will stay up for the next 3-4 weeks until grass is fully established. New fencing, trees, and landscaping are scheduled for June and July.
• April 2024
  Inspections which include safety inspections for the playground equipment and safety surfacing will be conducted, and a punch list will be created. The contractor will works towards addressing the punch list items. A soft opening is anticipated for mid-late April. 
• March 2024
  Installation of the poured in place safety surfacing started on March 12 and was completed on March 15.  The concrete walkways and site furnishings were installed. The contractor is completing the remaining stormwater components, and will begin site restoration. A soft opening is anticipated for mid-April. New fencing, trees and landscape plantings will be scheduled later this spring.
• February 2024
  The playground equipment and shade structures have been installed. The contractor completed the stormwater management system connections and will begin installation of the concrete walkways, site furnishings and dry swale BMP in late February Installation of the poured in place safety surfacing is weather dependent and will require warmer temperatures for installation, most likely mid-March. New fencing, trees and landscape plantings will be scheduled this spring.
• January 2024
  Mobilization began in early November with the installation of the erosion and sediment controls and site surveying. Demolition of the old playground was completed and the site was excavated and re-graded. In December, the playground equipment installation commenced and will continue throughout the month of January. The contractor will also begin installation of the stormwater management systems which include new piping and a dry swale BMP. While most of the playground equipment has been installed, the installation of the poured in place safety surfacing is weather dependent and will require warmer temperatures for installation. 
• October 2023 
  In early September a contract was awarded to the Bright Construction Group, Inc. based in Falls Church, VA. Notice to Proceed was issued to the Contractor on September 19 and a pre-construction meeting was held on September 28. Construction and building permits have been submitted. Pending permit approvals, mobilization will begin in late October. Work is anticipated to take 180 calendar days. The play equipment has been fabricated and was received in September.
• April 2023
  The Invitation to Bid was issued in March and the bid opening is scheduled for early May.  The playground equipment colors were finalized.
• February 2023
  The play equipment purchase order was approved in January. Play equipment colors are being finalized. The play equipment will be released into production later this month and will take approximately six months to manufacture and deliver.  The City's Purchasing Department is in the final stages of preparing the Invitation to Bid (ITB) for advertisement next month.
• August - December 2022
  Staff will work on the solicitation for the Invitation to Bid (ITB). The project schedule has been updated to reflect current market lead times for the manufacturing of playground equipment, which has been affected by supply chain issues.
• April - December 2021
  J2 Engineers have completed the engineering plans. The plans have been approved by the City.  The project will now be procured for construction services.
• January - March 2021
  J2 Engineers will continue work on the engineering plans and obtain regulatory approvals for the project.
• November - December 2020
  J2 Engineers completed the site survey, tree inventory and utility locating.
• October 2020
  The engineering design contract was awarded to J2 Engineers.
• March 2020
  The City's Purchasing Department is in the process of re-bidding the engineering design contract.  
  The updated project scheduled is noted above.