George Washington University reached substantial completion on the new baseball field area at Barcroft Field #6 and community play began March 17. With GW's support there is a new synthetic turf field (the only diamond synthetic turf field in the County!), drainage system, black chain link fencing around the field perimeter, relocated scoreboard and re-aimed field lights. Work on the dugouts will be completed in the next few weeks. Temporary measures have been taken to support the field while the above features are being constructed. These include a path extending from the pedestrian bridge over Doctors Run that connects the new field area to the existing parking area in the main park, pathway lighting, portable bleachers, portable toilets and temporary stairs and fencing around the dugout areas. By the end of June it is anticipated that the construction of the support buildings, plaza, and parking area will be completed. On September 20, 2011, the Arlington County Board approved the Barcroft Field #6 Public Facilities Construction, Permissive Use and Maintenance Agreement between Arlington County and George Washington University. Staff is currently working with GW to develop a mutually agreeable Identity Plan.

About the Partnership | About the Project | Project's Impact

About the Partnership

Why a County and GW partnership?

The GW baseball team has utilized and helped maintain the Barcroft facility for nearly 20 years. Throughout that time, GW and Arlington County have forged a strong and mutually beneficial working relationship.

Just recently GW announced the creation of a new Board of Trustees committee to conduct a comprehensive review of athletics at the university, including 22 varsity sports and three major facilities. This newly formed Athletics Committee will evaluate GW Athletics to determine how best to raise the university's athletic performance profile nationally. GW's outreach to DPR for enhancing Barcroft #6 is part of this larger effort.

What is GW trying to accomplish?

• A top-notch home field for their baseball program.
• Renovate the current baseball diamond and convert the grass field to synthetic grass.
• Add supporting amenities such as stadium seating, press box, locker rooms, concession stand and restrooms.
• Construct new dugouts to include two tiered bench seating, equipment storage and restroom.
• Begin these renovations and additions in the fall of 2011.

What does GW want from the County?

• A long-term agreement for the use of Barcroft Park field #6 similar to the County's agreement with Marymount University at Long Bridge Park.
• Construction management support.
• Continued access for the use of Barcroft #6 for their baseball games and practices.
• Possibly naming rights for the baseball field, GWU signage, and potential advertising.

What does the County want from the partnership?

• Increased community use of the field (as synthetic turf fields have fewer weather-related cancellations).

• Community access to a quality "show-case" sports facility: regulation-sized 90ft synthetic baseball diamond with support amenities (the County's first synthetic diamond field).
• Non-tax dollars to fully fund the renovations and additions to the field thereby completing the last phase of the County Board-approved Master Plan for Barcroft Park.
• Non-tax dollars to fund a proportionate share of the annual maintenance cost of the field and support amenities and the capital cost of replacing the synthetic grass at the end of its useful life.

About the Project

Why this field?

Barcroft Park #6 is one of three County-owned 90 ft. baseball diamond. It is currently used for County's recreation youth baseball and baseball games and practices and games by GW. This field has grass outfield, fairly new dark sky sports lights and sufficient (about 455) parking spaces.

County's Sports Commission has been interested in securing GW's financial support for the renovation and upgrade of this field for many years. They will be part of the process to develop the specifics of any partnership with GW for this field.

What does the project entail?

The project is currently in preliminary planning stages but the following elements are under discussion:

• Reconfiguration of the parking lot adjacent to the field

New entry plaza from parking lot to field area

• Locker facility
• Press box/ticket office/concessions area
• Restrooms
• New stadium seating
• Dugouts
• Synthetic turf field
• Bullpen
• New scoreboard
• New fence and batter's eye

This project is consistent with the 1999 Barcroft Park Master Plan which called for enhancing the baseball field as part of the final phase of the Plan.

Will there be additional field lights?

No. The existing lights will remain in use subject to the current facility schedule and "lights off" curfew of 11:00 p.m.

Who will pay for the project?

GW will be funding the costs of the improvements, resulting in a substantial savings to Arlington County taxpayers. As noted above, improvements to the baseball field were included as part of the approved Barcroft Park Master Plan. GW will continue to pay a portion of the maintenance costs and costs for returfing the field as needed.

Who will use the field?

Field use won't change. GW will continue to use the field for games and practices as it has done since the early 1990s and the community will use it at all other times. All use will continue to be coordinated by Department of Parks and Recreation Facilities Scheduling Office.

GW uses the field between September and November for practices and between February and May for practices and regular season home games. GW's utilization of the facility is often during non-peak hours and months.

Arlington County user groups (including Babe Ruth and Little Leagues) make use of the field throughout the year but primarily during the late spring and summer months. In addition, Wakefield will use the Barcroft facility during the time that their facility is being renovated.

Project Impact

How will this project affect the community's use of the field?

The level of use by GW and the Arlington sports community is anticipated to remain essentially the same. If anything, the community may get more use out of the field as synthetic turf fields have less down time for maintenance and weather issues.

Will parking or traffic become a problem?

As the level of use for the field won't markedly change we do not anticipate traffic or parking issues. It is anticipated that there will be approximately 100 spaces included in the surface parking lot adjacent to the field (there are currently approximately 85 spaces). In addition, there are 91 spaces in the main Barcroft lot and 192 spaces in the Barcroft parking garage. Historically, the current parking supply has been more than adequate to satisfy demand, with the exception of certain days where multiple events are scheduled; at such times, DPR makes necessary accommodations (e.g., providing shuttle buses) to address the increased demand. GW currently uses shuttle buses for players and if needed, additional shuttles could be developed for spectators.

Will the hours of use change?

No. The use hours for the baseball field will remain the same and the daily "lights out" curfew will remain 11 p.m.

Will the project generate additional noise?

No. The use of the field will not be changing and no additional amplified sound is anticipated (GW baseball program currently uses sound systems for its games).