Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center

Feb. 2, 2023 UPDATE: Schematic designs of the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center were presented during two public meetings in January.

View the Jan. 9, 2023, work session presentation

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Fairfax City and Fairfax County are redeveloping the Joseph Willard Health Center and Stacy C. Sherwood Center sites into a single destination for health, wellness, fitness, and child care.

Located at the corner of Layton Hall Drive and Blenheim Boulevard, the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center will be built in place of the current health center and include a campus redesign that connects to the Sherwood Center.

Once complete, the city-operated community center and a county-operated health and human services center will provide integrated services to both city and county residents.

The joint redevelopment project came about following years of evaluations conducted by both the city and county. They are working together to develop a conceptual plan for this campus -- and your input is needed to make this happen.

This campus will offer many different programs and services designed to meet the needs of individuals of all ages and abilities throughout Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax. To that end, county and city staff are seeking input to ensure that the campus is designed to meet the needs and interests of the surrounding community.

While some of the programs in the facility have already been designated; there will be multiple opportunities for community involvement and engagement throughout the process to discuss a variety of topics including site concepts, facility amenities, community center programming, and construction logistics.

Feb. 2, 2023 UPDATE: Schematic designs of the new Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center were presented during two public meetings in January.

View the Jan. 9, 2023, work session presentation

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Fairfax City and Fairfax County are redeveloping the Joseph Willard Health Center and Stacy C. Sherwood Center sites into a single destination for health, wellness, fitness, and child care.

Once complete, the city-operated community center and a county-operated health and human services center will provide integrated services to both city and county residents.

Ask questions about the project

Share I would like to request that a leg press machine be included in the exercise room. Currently Green acres and Jim Scott have leg curl machines which are not what seniors need. These machines can harm knees. A leg press machine strengthens quadrceps in a natural motion. This is important for the most vital movement skill for seniors. That is to rise from a sitting position. on Facebook Share I would like to request that a leg press machine be included in the exercise room. Currently Green acres and Jim Scott have leg curl machines which are not what seniors need. These machines can harm knees. A leg press machine strengthens quadrceps in a natural motion. This is important for the most vital movement skill for seniors. That is to rise from a sitting position. on Twitter Share I would like to request that a leg press machine be included in the exercise room. Currently Green acres and Jim Scott have leg curl machines which are not what seniors need. These machines can harm knees. A leg press machine strengthens quadrceps in a natural motion. This is important for the most vital movement skill for seniors. That is to rise from a sitting position. on Linkedin Email I would like to request that a leg press machine be included in the exercise room. Currently Green acres and Jim Scott have leg curl machines which are not what seniors need. These machines can harm knees. A leg press machine strengthens quadrceps in a natural motion. This is important for the most vital movement skill for seniors. That is to rise from a sitting position. link

I would like to request that a leg press machine be included in the exercise room. Currently Green acres and Jim Scott have leg curl machines which are not what seniors need. These machines can harm knees. A leg press machine strengthens quadrceps in a natural motion. This is important for the most vital movement skill for seniors. That is to rise from a sitting position.

Chrs asked 15 days ago

Thank you for your suggestion. Fitness equipment to be included in the new community center is currently under review. Your recommendation has been shared with the project team.
Share The Old Lee Highway multimodal plan calls for a sidewalk and a 2-way separated bicycle facility on the west side of Old Lee Highway from Blenheim to Layton Hall Drive. Yet I do not see that on any of the three schemes presented. Will you be coordinating with the City Department of Transportation to rectify this omission? on Facebook Share The Old Lee Highway multimodal plan calls for a sidewalk and a 2-way separated bicycle facility on the west side of Old Lee Highway from Blenheim to Layton Hall Drive. Yet I do not see that on any of the three schemes presented. Will you be coordinating with the City Department of Transportation to rectify this omission? on Twitter Share The Old Lee Highway multimodal plan calls for a sidewalk and a 2-way separated bicycle facility on the west side of Old Lee Highway from Blenheim to Layton Hall Drive. Yet I do not see that on any of the three schemes presented. Will you be coordinating with the City Department of Transportation to rectify this omission? on Linkedin Email The Old Lee Highway multimodal plan calls for a sidewalk and a 2-way separated bicycle facility on the west side of Old Lee Highway from Blenheim to Layton Hall Drive. Yet I do not see that on any of the three schemes presented. Will you be coordinating with the City Department of Transportation to rectify this omission? link

The Old Lee Highway multimodal plan calls for a sidewalk and a 2-way separated bicycle facility on the west side of Old Lee Highway from Blenheim to Layton Hall Drive. Yet I do not see that on any of the three schemes presented. Will you be coordinating with the City Department of Transportation to rectify this omission?

Art Fensterwal asked over 1 year ago

We should be moving from the current conceptual sketches to schematic design during the first half of 2023. The Old Lee Highway Multimodal Improvements project and many other site details will be available at that time. The conceptual sketches simply illustrated three different layouts for the new health and community center. Transportation is intimately involved in the planning.
Share Rec center, please? We can't use Green Acres gym for my kids to play during times it's not used. So much unused space around the city, and the only indoor activities have to be paid programs?! Can we please get something for families with young kids? on Facebook Share Rec center, please? We can't use Green Acres gym for my kids to play during times it's not used. So much unused space around the city, and the only indoor activities have to be paid programs?! Can we please get something for families with young kids? on Twitter Share Rec center, please? We can't use Green Acres gym for my kids to play during times it's not used. So much unused space around the city, and the only indoor activities have to be paid programs?! Can we please get something for families with young kids? on Linkedin Email Rec center, please? We can't use Green Acres gym for my kids to play during times it's not used. So much unused space around the city, and the only indoor activities have to be paid programs?! Can we please get something for families with young kids? link

Rec center, please? We can't use Green Acres gym for my kids to play during times it's not used. So much unused space around the city, and the only indoor activities have to be paid programs?! Can we please get something for families with young kids?

jflo asked over 1 year ago

Thank you for your question. The new community center will be different from a rec-center in that a membership or day pass is not required to use the facilities. A full-sized gym, running/walking track, fitness rooms, and other gathering spaces will be open to the public to accommodate both structured and unstructured activities.
The gym at Green Acres is scheduled daily for pickleball, classes, and rentals. There isn’t a regular time where it would be open for unscheduled use.
Outdoor recreation in our parks is available every day at no cost, and a day pass to a county rec-center is an affordable option for cold, rainy days. Additionally, the city offers parks and recreation programs at a reduced rate to eligible families.
Share Will the proposed project provide a space for performing arts? on Facebook Share Will the proposed project provide a space for performing arts? on Twitter Share Will the proposed project provide a space for performing arts? on Linkedin Email Will the proposed project provide a space for performing arts? link

Will the proposed project provide a space for performing arts?

Jrglass123 asked over 1 year ago

The architect is exploring ways to create space for performing arts. You can view concept sketches here: https://fairfax.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=2921&meta_id=100238.
Share Are they considering build a pool? on Facebook Share Are they considering build a pool? on Twitter Share Are they considering build a pool? on Linkedin Email Are they considering build a pool? link

Are they considering build a pool?

Blanca Baldeon asked over 1 year ago

This project does not include a pool.
Share Does the proposed project include the County public health laboratory parcel adjacent to the Joseph Willard facility? on Facebook Share Does the proposed project include the County public health laboratory parcel adjacent to the Joseph Willard facility? on Twitter Share Does the proposed project include the County public health laboratory parcel adjacent to the Joseph Willard facility? on Linkedin Email Does the proposed project include the County public health laboratory parcel adjacent to the Joseph Willard facility? link

Does the proposed project include the County public health laboratory parcel adjacent to the Joseph Willard facility?

Mark Towery asked almost 2 years ago

No, the project does not include the laboratory property. Fairfax County has a feasibility study underway for the laboratory, so there may be changes in the future for that portion of the property. The joint project team is considering including additional parking in the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project in anticipation that the laboratory may expand and displace some of its current parking. Thanks for your question.
Share How will this impact Van Dyke Park? Will we lose playing fields or woods? If so, how much? on Facebook Share How will this impact Van Dyke Park? Will we lose playing fields or woods? If so, how much? on Twitter Share How will this impact Van Dyke Park? Will we lose playing fields or woods? If so, how much? on Linkedin Email How will this impact Van Dyke Park? Will we lose playing fields or woods? If so, how much? link

How will this impact Van Dyke Park? Will we lose playing fields or woods? If so, how much?

Erin asked almost 2 years ago

Van Dyck Park will not lose any amenities due to construction of the new health and community center. The project will be coordinated with the park's master plan, and one of the goals is to improve the connection between the park and new facility.
Share Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among older adults. I know that there are outdoor pickleball courts at Van Dyck park. Are there going to be any courts designated specifically for pickleball at this site? And if so, will there be in our outdoors? on Facebook Share Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among older adults. I know that there are outdoor pickleball courts at Van Dyck park. Are there going to be any courts designated specifically for pickleball at this site? And if so, will there be in our outdoors? on Twitter Share Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among older adults. I know that there are outdoor pickleball courts at Van Dyck park. Are there going to be any courts designated specifically for pickleball at this site? And if so, will there be in our outdoors? on Linkedin Email Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among older adults. I know that there are outdoor pickleball courts at Van Dyck park. Are there going to be any courts designated specifically for pickleball at this site? And if so, will there be in our outdoors? link

Pickleball is the fastest growing sport among older adults. I know that there are outdoor pickleball courts at Van Dyck park. Are there going to be any courts designated specifically for pickleball at this site? And if so, will there be in our outdoors?

brusty001 asked almost 2 years ago

The new center will not include courts designated specifically for pickleball, but the gym will be lined for pickleball use. Similar to Green Acres, there will be designated time for pickleball in the gym. Thanks for your question.
Share Given that there is a new development across the street from Willard, and two schools near the park, how does the city plan to address increased traffic with this expanded facility? on Facebook Share Given that there is a new development across the street from Willard, and two schools near the park, how does the city plan to address increased traffic with this expanded facility? on Twitter Share Given that there is a new development across the street from Willard, and two schools near the park, how does the city plan to address increased traffic with this expanded facility? on Linkedin Email Given that there is a new development across the street from Willard, and two schools near the park, how does the city plan to address increased traffic with this expanded facility? link

Given that there is a new development across the street from Willard, and two schools near the park, how does the city plan to address increased traffic with this expanded facility?

rc asked about 2 years ago

The Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project will be coordinated with the Old Lee Highway Multimodal Improvements project and the updated CUE Bus routes.
The Old Lee Highway project will be designed to manage traffic along that corridor, as well as make improvements such as a new left turn lane into the Sherwood Center from Old Lee Highway.
The CUE Bus re-routing will provide enhanced access along Layton Hall Drive, with a stop at the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center, as well as a stop at the student housing under construction further west on Layton Hall Drive. The Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project will also examine a vehicular connection between the current Sherwood property and the Willard property, which would spread out vehicle trips between the two adjoining streets.
Vehicle trips are currently forced to one street or the other, as there is no connection between the two properties. Vehicle access on Layton Hall Drive will align with Democracy Lane to the south, providing another option for drivers traveling to and from south of the site.
A traffic study will be conducted as part of the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project that would project future traffic flows to and from the new facility, taking into consideration nearby uses that are existing and under construction, and making recommendations for improvements where needed to manage any additional traffic.
Both the Willard-Sherwood Health and Community Center project and the Old Lee Highway project will also place an emphasis on providing excellent pedestrian and bicycle facilities to encourage visitors who are able to access the facility without needing a motor vehicle.
Share Will there be a seperate area for seniors and a seniors gym. on Facebook Share Will there be a seperate area for seniors and a seniors gym. on Twitter Share Will there be a seperate area for seniors and a seniors gym. on Linkedin Email Will there be a seperate area for seniors and a seniors gym. link

Will there be a seperate area for seniors and a seniors gym.

Arlene asked about 2 years ago

Conceptual designs will be presented in April, but we anticipate the gym being shared by the senior center and community center. There would be a dedicated senior center and lounge, but the gym, classrooms, and common areas are anticipated to be shared.