Hamilton Park's Parking Ban Is Reversed

Outcry Trumps Concerns About Litter, Cars on Grass

By Kafia A. Hosh

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Hamilton officials have reversed their decision to ban cars from the town's popular park, following an outcry from parents who said it was unfair to make the playground and grassy fields off-limits to families throughout Loudoun County.

The Town Council had voted for the ban in March, citing reports of park users leaving their cars on a grassy field when the 13-space parking lot filled up, blocking access for emergency vehicles. Hamilton officials also noted increasing amounts of trash, including dirty diapers left on picnic tables.

But the council agreed in April to reconsider its action after users of Hamilton Park spoke out at a council meeting and flooded the town administrator's office with e-mailed complaints. On Monday, after several users promised a grass-roots effort to address the litter problem and to expand parking, the council lifted the ban.

"It really didn't make sense to limit the usage of the park to the 100 people that live within a three-block radius," said Cindy Trochlil, a Hamilton area resident who often takes her four children there.

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Hamilton Reverses Parking Ban

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A sign explains the Hamilton Community Park's rules. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Sam Kosin of Ashburn, helps her son Reed, 4, on a rope swing at Hamilton Community Park. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Heather Dyson of Hamilton, plays with her son Spencer in Hamilton Community Park. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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No Parking signs circle the gravel parking area at Hamilton Community Park. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Heather Felt of Purcellville, swings with her children Ewan, 14 months, and Joseph, 4, at Hamilton Community Park. (Tracy A. Woodward)

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Brent Campbell lives three blocks from the park but still opposed the ban.

"A public park is made to be used," he said. "It's for the community's enjoyment."

Trochlil, Campbell and more than a dozen other park users had agreed in April to form a committee that would come up with ideas to address the parking and trash problems, and the committee outlined its proposals at Monday's council meeting.

The committee pledged that the local Boy Scout troop, churches and other community groups would routinely pick up litter.

After measuring the gravel parking lot, Campbell and other committee members suggested the number of spaces could be doubled from 13 to 26, enough to provide parking during peak hours. They said the expansion would cost about $5,000, including $3,500 to plant trees that would create a buffer between the lot and nearby homes.

The committee announced it would raise the $5,000 for the project and an additional $5,000 to repair the park's playground, benches and other equipment.

Trochlil, who is in charge of the fundraising effort, said the committee will collect donations during the annual Hamilton Day Parade on May 30. She said the McDonald's restaurant in Purcellville also has pledged to donate 20 percent of its June 26 proceeds to the cause.

The council referred the proposal to expand parking to the town's Planning Commission to see whether it is feasible under the existing zoning ordinance. The council also asked park users to begin tracking the number of vehicles coming to the park each day and to notify the town of the findings.

"One of the things we lack is hard data" on the parking shortage, said council member Michael E. Snyder.

Council members said they had voted for the parking ban as a last resort. Over the past year, town staff members had installed signs reminding park visitors not to litter or leave their cars on the grass, to no avail.

"The council was pretty frustrated that we didn't seem to be getting through to people," said Hamilton Vice Mayor John Unger.

Hamilton Park was built in 1986 and has become a popular destination not only for town residents, but also for families throughout Loudoun. It is a common meeting ground for parents who take their chilen there in the mornings and for older children who visit after school.

"My older kids will run out into the open space and set up a game of kick ball," Trochlil said. "I don't even have to call anybody. It's like a guaranteed play date."

Tagged: Hamilton, Hamilton Town Council, parking lot, parks

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