Stafford Park
Stafford Park is a city park in Fairfax that includes a one-turf soccer field (originally budgeted as a two-turf, lighted facility but reduced in scope due to neighborhood input), restrooms, and surrounding wooded areas.
George Snyder Trail
The George Snyder Trail was a planned off-street shared-use path project (VDOT UPC 112816) intended to improve multimodal connectivity along Fairfax Boulevard in the City of Fairfax. The project drew sustained and significant public opposition throughout its consideration.
- Feb 13, 2025Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6aSummary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation
$200,000 in security improvements (cameras and blue light buttons) requested for parks including Stafford Park.
- Oct 8, 2024City Council · item 10bDiscussion of security pilot initiatives to address community concerns of safety
Stafford Park was identified as a priority location for AI security cameras and security guard pilot services under the proposed security initiatives.
- Oct 10, 2024Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6aSummary of Recent Council Meeting Actions Pertaining to Parks and Recreation
A trial period of private security is being considered at Stafford Park, along with security cameras, safety lighting, and blue light boxes; estimated cost approximately $100,000 per park.
In full
The park has been a focal point for multiple overlapping municipal initiatives. On October 8, 2024, City Council reached consensus—without formal action—to dedicate $18,404.20 from Homelessness Task Force Implementation Revenues toward installing AI security cameras at Stafford and Draper Parks. A broader security infrastructure package (cameras, safety lighting, blue light emergency boxes, and a license plate reader) was scoped at approximately $100,000 per park, with a fiber line connection under separate investigation; Stafford Park's proximity to a city line intersection was noted as a potential cost advantage.
By February 2025, a $200,000 CIP request had been submitted for security improvements (cameras and blue light buttons) at parks including Stafford.
Separately, a $1.6 million FY22 CIP balance remaining from the original Stafford Park construction has been discussed for potential reappropriation to other city priorities. The park has also been the site of a contentious George Snyder Trail routing debate, an ongoing stream restoration project, and community concern about tree removal, with organized neighborhood opposition from Cambridge Station and Mosby Woods Condominium Association residents over multiple years.