Arlington in 'Home Stretch' for Dog Park Near Clarendon

County officials say they're in the "home stretch" for improvements at James Hunter Park, a dog park just outside of Clarendon named after a late Arlington County Board chairman.

The park, originally slated to open this past spring, has faced delays in order for the contractor to meet requirements set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Major components, including the surface for the community canine area, pathways, public art, lighting and landscaping, have been installed.

“We share the community’s frustration over the delayed opening and continue daily inspections of the contractor’s work to provide the best product as expeditiously as possible,” Jane Rudolph, Arlington County’s Park and Recreation director, said in a statement. “The good news is that despite the timeline extension, the County has remained within the park construction budget.”

The Arlington County Board approved awarding a $1.46 million contract to Springfield-based Avon Corp. for renovations — plus $220,000 for contingencies — in May 2012.

The park, at North Herndon and 13th streets, is located in Lyon Village, just minutes from the Clarendon Metro.

More than 8,000 people live within a 10-minute walk of the 0.71-acre park and nearly 15,000 more work in the area, according to an email from Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Susan Kalish.

The park "offers those who live and work in the Metro corridor a much-needed space to mingle, exercise, play or just chill," she stated.

Thanks to community requests, the park includes a plaza area for picnicking, native plants in a demonstration garden and an open grassy area.

The park was built using sustainable design and includes a water management system that collects and purifies rainwater from the entire site and stores it in a large underground cistern — which provides a constant supply of water for irrigation. 

James Hunter Park, when it opens, will be the eighth community dog area in Arlington.