Ashby Eyesore Might Get an Upgrade

Ashby Road residents warned against scaring off a neighbor blue heron and inviting more unseemly activity in the woods behind their houses at a community meeting Thursday night. But all in all, they welcome the city's plan to revive Ashby Pond.

The project would cost about $700,000 from the city's budget. Council members urged residents to voice their support at scheduled budget discussions and regular council meetings in city hall.

Fairfax City purchased the 3.7-acre pond area in 2004 for $507,000 as part of an open space initiative. Since then city officials have been working with Virginia Tech to sketch out a way to remove sediment and improve water quality. With help from Chesapeake Bay Improvement funds, the plan is now ready for city council support.

The initiative would remove 7,000 cubic yards of sediment from the pond, construct an outfall structure and improve the existing dam, install floating treatment wetlands to manage water quality and create a trail around the pond for nature enthusiasts.

Residents hope the project, meant to reduce the amount of sediment running into Chesapeake Bay, will sop up sewage problems and attract new wildlife to the long-neglected nature center in their backyards.

Most of their concerns center on the above-water changes, mainly the trail around the pond and the proposed eight parallel parking spaces on Ashby Road.

Parks and Recreation Director Michael McCarty assured residents that the proposed path around the pond wouldn't connect to any non-city properties. City officials intend to use crushed stone or wood chips to build a non-invasive path around existing trees.

Others asked for security cameras or a call box to help deter unsavory individuals from using the area to exchange or do drugs.

The proposed parking spaces created more cause for concern. Residents fear the parallel spots will only add to the current speeding problem on narrow Ashby Road.

One man asked the planners to look out for a blue heron, a long-time resident of the pond, when dredging and improving the area.

Once given the go-ahead from city council members, the revitilization team would start securing funding. They hope to begin the project in the summer.