Loudoun County continues the master planning process for Franklin Park, which currently encompasses 200 acres between the towns of Purcellville and Round Hill.
After acquiring 103 acres adjacent to the current park in 2022, the county began a master plan process for the newly enlarged park to consider a sustainable and meaningful active and passive recreation design that supports the community's diverse interests and growing demands for recreation and leisure. The process has included gathering input from residents and businesses in multiple formats to review potential future improvements to Franklin Park, which is operated by the Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services.
Following an October 25, 2022, in-person public information meeting and feedback from the community through an online comment form, planners have modified potential amenities that may be added to the newly acquired land and existing park. The master plan was revised in January 2023 as a result and the revisions to the western and eastern parcels include modifying the western parcel to passive recreation areas, modifying and expanding the existing equestrian facility on the original park site, and reducing access and parking on the newly acquired property. Members of the public may view the updated revised master plan at loudoun.gov/franklinparkplan.
To allow for the proposed active and passive recreation uses, the county proposes to rezone the residential portion of the property. The current zoning for the 103 acres of newly acquired land is split, currently zoned for agricultural in one section and zoned for residential development in another section. Seeking a rezoning of the land by the Board of Supervisors will align development potential with the master plan for agricultural and recreational use. This approximately nine-month rezoning process will include two public hearings held by the Loudoun County Planning Commission and the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors where members of the public will have the opportunity to provide comments on the plan.
Future announcements to include upcoming Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings concerning the Franklin Park master plan, the rezoning request and the public’s opportunities to provide input will be available at loudoun.gov/franklinparkplan. The meeting dates for the Board and Planning Commission are posted at loudoun.gov/calendar.
Through collaborative efforts between Loudoun County and the Town of Round Hill, this master planning process will also evaluate potential connections between the existing park, the new area of the park and the town’s Sleeter Lake Park.
For more information about the Franklin Park master planning project, including materials presented at the October 2022 public information meeting, visit loudoun.gov/franklinparkplan. Residents may also submit additional comments or ask questions regarding Franklin Park’s future improvements by email.
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