Arlington Board Paves Way for New Park to Open in Buckingham

The Arlington County Board on Saturday approved the final housekeeping measures necessary to open the new Henry Wright Park at Buckingham Commons Village I later this summer.

The 2.3-acre, oval park has a fenced playground, a water fountain, picnic and game tables and grassy fields. The county issued bonds in 2009 and 2011 to cover the $14.8 million price tag that came with acquiring the park, which is at 4350 4th St. N.

The park, designed for children age 2 to 12, is expected to open in August, according to a county news release.

Arlington-based Paradigm Development Co. worked with the county to design the park and will be responsible for its ongoing maintenance.

“Henry Wright Park brings much-needed open space to Buckingham Commons Village I,” Board Chairwoman Mary Hynes said in a statement. “Through a public/private partnership with Paradigm, the County has found a cost-effective way to ensure that this beautiful park is well taken care of so that generations of Arlington children have a safe, attractive place to come together, exercise and play.”

The park is named for Henry Wright, the chief architect of the historic Buckingham Commons Village I apartments, the news release states.

The park is surrounded by 506 apartments, 100 of which are obligated to remain "affordable" for decades, the release states.