Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing a full redevelopment project contracted to Bright Masonry, Inc. for $7,725,650, approved by City Council on October 8, 2024. 5 separate matters touch this project; each has its own status.
Pat Rodio Playground
The Pat Rodio Playground is a parks capital project funded at $400,000, with $315,000 allocated for equipment and surfacing and the remainder designated for fencing, walkways, and trees. Following a public survey (results reported June 12, 2025) that showed strong preference for swings, and PRAB's selection of color option 6 from 12 choices, the equipment order was placed before a July 1, 2025 tariff deadline, with shade structures added to the design.
- Parks and Recreation Department Report
Main contractor Bright Construction has fired all staff and deleted their website; the project is temporarily on hold pending clarification, though it remains on budget with an ARPA funds deadline looming.
WSHCC
The West Side Human Community Center (WSHCC) is a city parks capital project that progressed through budgetary planning, land use approval, and City Council authorization over approximately one year. Through mid-2025, staff was preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios for the facility, with community preference noted for open gym time over heavy rental use.
- Joint School Board Meeting
The contractor experienced financial issues that impacted the timeline but those issues have been resolved; projected substantial completion is end of July to early August, and the Parks Crew has taken over maintenance of the Bermuda grass fields.
The City of Fairfax's Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) 5-Year Update is a long-term planning document required by Virginia state code to be updated every five years, covering a twenty-year planning horizon. The plan was last updated in 2021 and the update process was underway as of mid-2025, with a public meeting held on November 20, 2025, at Katherine Johnson Middle School Library and a community survey open through the end of 2025.
- Community Member Updates
Thaiss Park/Pickett Rd Underpass was identified as a Salt Watch monitoring site where road salt is reaching unhealthy levels in Accotink Creek. The park is on schedule for completion; sod completion timing is uncertain but will not delay the rest of the park's opening.
Van Dyck Redevelopment
The Van Dyck Redevelopment is a funded parks project in the City's capital pipeline that has been in a holding pattern tied to sequencing with other major construction efforts. Through late 2024, the project was placed on hold pending the start of Thaiss Park construction, with no substantive engineering activity.
- City Council Orientation
Thaiss Park is set to open in March 2026, allowing Bermuda grass two seasons to grow. Demolition is complete; the memorial plaque will be relocated to an ornamental native tree in coordination with Little League.
Pat Rodio Park
Pat Rodio Park is a municipal park that has been undergoing a playground relocation and broader redevelopment effort. As of October 2024, staff began seeking a new playground location; by November 2024 a site had been identified, with tree planting and public outreach planned.
- City Council Orientation
Thaiss Park is set to open in March 2026, allowing Bermuda grass two seasons to grow. Demolition is complete; the memorial plaque will be relocated to an ornamental native tree in coordination with Little League.
- Consideration of an award of construction contract to Bright Masonry, Inc. in the amount of $7,725,650 for the redevelopment of Thaiss Park
The City Council approved a $7,725,650 construction contract with Bright Masonry, Inc. for the redevelopment of Thaiss Park, moving the project into the construction phase.
passedAuthorize the purchasing agent to award a construction contract in the amount of $7,725,650 to Bright Masonry, Inc. for Thaiss Park construction✓ Bates✓ Doyle Feingold· Greenfield✓ Lim✓ Ross✓ Stehle - Thaiss Park – Update
Thaiss Park is fully funded after the funding passed unanimously at City Council (Councilmember Greenfield absent); construction can begin as early as the first week of November. PRAB agreed the Throne currently at the park should be relocated to another park.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Construction is set to begin at the start of December; the parking lot will be fully closed and signage is being prepared. City Council fully funded Thaiss Park.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Construction fencing is being installed at Thaiss Park imminently; community outreach is underway informing residents that the cross county trail remains open but will not be accessible from Thaiss Park during construction.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Thaiss Park is fenced off and closed for redevelopment; expected reopening date is March 26, with utility relocation work beginning shortly. Historical research connected to Thaiss Park surfaced the story of Andy Smith and Jim Crow-era displacement, prompting PRAB discussion on commemoration options.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Utility lines are being relocated; the gas line does not need to be moved, saving time and money. Construction activity expected to increase as weather improves.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Construction is proceeding on schedule, with work currently focused on utilities and groundwork.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park Update
The Thaiss Park project remains on budget and on schedule.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Project is on budget and on time; ballfields slated to open March 2026 to allow Bermuda grass to take root; all other elements expected late fall 2025 or early spring 2026.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park Update
Project is on budget and on track; timing depends on when sod is installed this fall.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park Update
Project remains on schedule; sod needs to be installed by mid-November to meet the completion timeline.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park Update
Construction is progressing but running slightly behind on sod installation; the playground has been installed.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Completion has been renegotiated to April; sod has been installed, the playground is in place, adult exercise equipment has been delivered, and the project remains on budget.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park
Construction resumed after a snow delay; roofing materials delivered; substantial completion extended to end of April; two EV charging stations added with remaining ARPA funds as project is under budget.
- Old Business – Thaiss Park Update
Construction is progressing with the roof complete; substantial completion expected in May, and summer camps are planned for the site this summer.
- Thaiss Park – Update
Construction is progressing slowly but steadily; the contractor's financial issues have been resolved and the opening date is set for the end of July, with the clubhouse building identified as the primary cause of delays.
- Old Business – Naming Rights Policy
Thaiss Park's scoreboard was cited as one of the items for which a naming rights policy is being developed. Thaiss Park project is very close to completion; the roof and bleachers have arrived, and turf maintenance is now managed by Demetric and Jared.
In full
Construction began in December 2024 following utility relocation work and full park closure; the cross-county trail was kept open but made inaccessible from the park during construction. The project has remained on budget throughout, and was augmented with two EV charging stations funded by surplus ARPA funds. The timeline has slipped repeatedly: an initial reopening target of March 26, 2025 was revised to March 2026 for ballfields (to allow Bermuda grass to establish), then to end of April 2026, then end of April/May 2026 after snow delays, then end of July after the clubhouse was identified as the primary delay source, and then to end of July/early August after the contractor experienced financial issues.
As of the July 9, 2026 PRAB meeting, the main contractor Bright Construction has fired all staff and deleted its website, placing the project temporarily on hold, though it remains on budget; an ARPA funds deadline adds urgency to resolution.