Proposed Concept for North End Improvements

This concept was discussed at the June General Meeting.

Stay informed & ​Up to Date!

​Announcements:

• The south end has reopened with freshly renewed turf.  Thank you for your patience.
• The south end water fixture is temporarily out of order.  The north end fixture is working.  Sorry for the inconvenience.
• We try to do the mowing early in the morning before the park opens, but if you are in the park when the mowers arrive, please leash your dogs until mowing is complete, for the safety of both the dogs and the mowing crew.
• Jonathan Amaya has stepped down as Chair to focus on family matters (newborn baby in the house).  The Board has appointed immediate past Chair Melissa Pandin to return as Interim Chair.  There will be a Special Election at the next General Meeting (date to be determined) to fill that seat for the remainder of the term, which expires in October 2022.

​Older News:

• The south (large) end will close at sundown on March 9th for 8-12 weeks for turf renewal operations. Exact timing will depend on conditions and will be announced here as information becomes available.
• As part of Fairfax County's transition to Phase Two of the
  COVID-19 reopening, the Westgrove Park Off-Leash Dog Area will reopen on Friday, June 12, 2020.  Park users are advised to maintain social distancing while in the park.
• Water bowls have been removed from the park.  To prevent water-borne disease, park users are advised to use the new dog watering fountain, which provides fresh water and is self-draining.  
• We are currently discussing the feasibility of resuming Hot Dog Fridays.  An announcement will be made soon.
• With the cooperation of Fairfax County Park Authority and in compliance with CDC guidelines, we were able to do our scheduled turf renewal in the south (big) end of the park on March 27.  We should have excellent turf in 8-10 weeks
• The park, like all dog parks in Virginia, is closed until further notice by order of the Governor to limit spread of the COVID-19 virus.
• ​​Installation of the new water fixture in the south end will begin on Saturday, March 21, 2020.  When that work begins, the South End will close.  Once the digging is done, turf renewal operations will begin and that section will remain closed for 8-10 weeks until the new turf is established.
• Fairfax County Park Authority has made additional drainage improvements in the north end of the park.  We will be monitoring progress and making additional improvements if necessary.
• We've had some changes to the P.A.C.K. Board.  Kathy Seikel has stepped down as Secretary.  The Board has appointed At-Large Board Member Steve Zweifach to serve as Interim Secretary and Christine Dailey as Interim At-Large Member to replace Steve.  Elections will be held at the July General Meeting to choose a Secretary and At-Large Board Member to fill the remainder of those terms.  For more information or to become a candidate in that election, click here.
• The south end is now open!  The reseeding of the south end was successful and we now have a lush, green park again.  Thanks to all of our P.A.C.K. caretakers for your generous support in making this possible.

• Wet conditions have delayed our planned soil improvements in the north end, but they should begin soon. 
• We'd also like to thank everyone who made the Spring Fling such a great success.
• If you're doing shopping on Amazon, please consider going to smile.amazon.com and designating Westgrove P.A.C.K. as your charity.  When you shop at Amazon Smile, you pay the same price, but Amazon donates a portion of your order to Westgrove P.A.C.K.  For more information, click on the Amazon smile logo on the home page or go to smile.amazon.com 
• The new shade canopy and the new storage shed are now in place, thanks to the support of the Caretakers of Westgrove P.A.C.K.  These were our two major projects planned for the 2016 season.  The shade canopy will be formally donated to The Fairfax County Park Authority at the Fall Festival.   

• The north end of the park has been reseeded with cool weather grass as part of our ongoing turf management program.  We hope that this grass, in conjunction with the other surface improvements made earlier, will reduce muddy conditions in the park over the winter months.  The north end will remain closed until the new grass is established.  The water fixture will not be accessible during this time, but P.A.C.K. Board members will keep water jugs available in the south end.  We appreciate your patience while we make these improvements to the park.
• Sean Fitzpatrick has stepped down as Operations Director.  The P.A.C.K. Board has appointed Scott Erb as Interim Operations Director.  A Special Election will be held at the October General Meeting to fill the remainder of the term.  For more information about the election, click here.
• Park users are reminded that dogs who are experiencing potentially contagious health conditions like coughs and diarrhea should not be brought to the park.  If you have health concerns about another dog in the park, please address your concerns to the dog's handler.  Westgrove P.A.C.K. does not have the authority to eject people from the park.  FCPA rules for dog parks are posted here and are enforced by Fairfax County Police Animal Control officers.
• Phase I of our drainage improvement plan is complete.  A crew from McGee Landscaping has filled in some of the low-lying areas in the north end with soil to prevent water from pooling during wet weather.  They have also installed some smooth gravel around the water fixture to alleviate the muddy conditions there and built a smooth gravel walkway from the driveway to the all-weather entry gate.  For more details about this project, click here.
• A committee is being formed to consider revisions to the Westgrove P.A.C.K. bylaws.  If you have suggestions or would like to be part of the committee, please contact the PACK.
• Westgrove P.A.C.K. has been awarded a $10,000 improvement grant from PetSafe.  For details, click here.
• A list of possible future capital improvements has been prepared and is posted here.  If you have questions or suggestions or want to add something else to the list for consideration, please contact westgrovepack@gmail.com.  There will be further discussion at the October General Meeting and a vote will be held to determine the priority of these projects.
• We had a meeting with representatives from the Park Authority about outstanding issues.  Click here for a summary.
• Water update. Thanks to the generosity of the users of the park and with the cooperation of Fairfax County Park Authority, we now have running water in the park.  This was a major undertaking and required a lot of effort, and Westgrove P.A.C.K. would like to extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who made it possible.  Click here to see some guidelines on water use and plans for future improvements.
• All park users are reminded that it is very important to pick up dog waste in the park.  Dog waste is not only unpleasant to step in, it can present health problems for the dogs and creates environmental risks to sensitive areas near the park.  Waste bags and disposal bins are conveniently located around the park.  Please pick up after your own dog and keep an eye out for anything that someone else missed.  If you see dog poop; pick it up.
• Please do not bring used grocery bags to the park and tie them to the fence.  When you do, they collect rain water which can be a breeding area for insects and create a health hazard for the dogs.  Please use the dog waste bags in the dispensers provided.
• The P.A.C.K. now has a lost & found bucket. For more information click here.
• FCPA has agreed to hold off on the installation of stone dust in the north end for the time being.  We have made soil improvements and are reseeding with cool weather grass which should carry us through the fall and hopefully into the winter. Park users can help by refraining from using that area when conditions are muddy.
• ​Children in the park. As most of you know, children 8 and under are not allowed in the park.  Although new signs have been posted at all gates, some parents choose to bring children into the park - even after been encouraged to leave for the sake of their children. If you see children in the park, please feel free to gently remind parents of the rules. If you like, hand them a PACK brochure; this brochure contains a full list of park rules. If all else fails, you can call the Fairfax County Police Department on their non-emergency number 703-877-3715. 
• Westgrove Park needs you! The P.A.C.K. fundraising committee is looking for volunteers that are willing to help out, share ideas, and raise some money. To find out more click here.​

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