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Lights fully operational
All timers at Fort Barnard CCA are operational after being
tested between 9 and 11 A.M. this morning. Brrrr
The primary timer is set to be operational from 5 P.M. to 9 P.M. and
the red strobe alert light is set and operational to flash at 45 minutes
after the lights are activated. The strobe is a reminder that the lights
will be going off and if there is a need for continued lighting the button
should be pressed again.
If the button is not pushed to reactivate the lights in the 15 minute
window the lights go through a cool down period and it may take a minute
or two for the lights to activate again. This delay is an operating feature
of the particular type of light bulb used by the lights.
This morning the lights have been focused on the field and adjusted to
light more of the park. There will be a review of the pattern of lighting
during evening hours this weekend to optimize the lighting of the park
and further adjustments will be made if necessary.
At this time we have not signed off on the work but will review the system
timers and lighting coverage and meet with the contractor early next
week along with PNR electricians to verify the system is fully operational.
I will advise you of that meeting and the outcomes.
Best Regards
Lyndell D. Core
Park Manager
Park Service Area 3
Posted January 25, 2008
Update January 22, 2008 from Lyndell Core
Fort Barnard CCA lights are operational but require further adjustment.
This has been communicated to the CCA sponsor, Coday Cunningham on Friday
and followup to questions on Saturday via email
I tested the lights over the weekend.
Currently, the lights will turn on for one hour if the button is pushed.
The lights shut off after one hour but can be turned on again until 8
P.M.
The lights are operational from 5 P.M. until 9 P.M. seven days a week.
Remaining actions
1. The lights heads need to be adjusted manually to provide more light
out into the park. The light poles are installed around the perimeter
of the park excluding the boundary along S. Walter Reed Drive. We knew
and communicated before and during the project that the lights would
be adjusted.
2. There is an additional timer to be installed which will control a
strobe light which will light to indicate there is 15 minutes until lights
out. This is the identical system installed at county tennis courts and
other fields with timed lighting.
Both remaining actions are scheduled to be completed this week.
Lyndell D. Core
Park Manager
Park Service Area 3
Posted January 22, 2008
January 18 Update from Coday
Lyndell (Arlington Co. Parks dept) and the contractor were
at the park this afternoon. I stopped by & met w/ them; the place
is a mudpit w/ melting snow..... We have the juice & the the installed
switch should turn on the lights for a 2 hr period-they will shut off
at 9pm.
The contractor still has more work to calibrate the switch; he says he
plans to come monday to finish. The warning light isn't operating yet.
So, when you hit the lights, Lyndell says the lights will stay on for
2hrs....but there are lights.
I won't be there tonight....hopefully, will be there tomorrow night.
If anyone goes to the DP tonight and you have any feedback to relay to
Lyndell, email me.
(Wear your boots and bring towels to clean the dogs-its a mess up there)
Posted January 21, 2008
December 27 Update
We are in the 2-3 week window. The Dominion Virginia online
project site shows a scheduled completion date of Friday, January 4 and
a project completion date of January 11, the following Friday. I just
need confirmation from my electrical vendor that all parties are looking
at the same schedule and talking about when, where, what and expectations
to wrap it up and light the park. I FAXED the schedule to my vendor and
expect coordination and feedback some time today.
Lyndell D. Core
Park Manager
Park Service Area 3
Posted December 27, 2009
Information regarding Arlington County Spending in other CCAs.
From: Cunningham, Coday [mailto:Coday.Cunningham@fairfaxcounty.gov]
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 9:09 AM
To: Lyndell Core
Subject: beware, this is a passive-aggressive email....no additional
work was done after the concrete slab was preped for the box....
Importance: High
Needless to say it has damped spirits in a major way...to add a little
salt to the wound, one of our regulars, who works for Arlington County
Gov't, reported he'd recieveved an email stating that county gov't $
had been approved (1.7 million) for an official Clarendon CCA (you know, "the
sexy" dogpark). ....bet they'll get their lights fast..... and it
has taken nearly over two years for us to get park lights....next we
hope to get mulch and the drain/H20 issue remedied. We're thinkin' a
group of folks at Arlington County really hates us. We mean, come on,
we all know federal and county gov't's can move slower than mollasses
in January, but this is beyond ridiculous.
When we started this process, in December of 2005, we were told that
County $ would not be available for CCA's, that we "had to go thru
the process like everyone else" and could only raise $ through our
own efforts and apply for PEG $, so we did. So, you can imagine, there's
much discussion at the DP about Clarendon's projected CCA renovation.
Two of our regulars were at the park at the same time as the contractor-they
discussed this contruction progress-the contractor blamed the county
for giving project instuctions in bits & pieces, which is why the
contractor said this is taking so long. We get info. from you re: the
contractors efforts to perpetuate the delays. At this point, forgive
my bluntness, but, we don't care who does or says what. We just need
the lights so we can keep our dogs exercised and park users can see friends
(dog & human) and not become isolated during daylight savings time;
some of our park regulars rely heavily on the CCA activity for social
interaction and socializing.. I tell ya, my little Gus is gonna drive
me to drink-he has so much pent up energy that I can't get out of him
b/c there aren't enough hours of daylight. I look forward to the day
when this Light project is done and I can bug you about smaller issues
like mulch & drainage and shelter at the CCA....as you said, things
that the county has more control over.
If your traveling over the holidays, be safe. Merry Christmas to you
and your family. I hope you'll get a longer vacation-are you taking leave
between the holidays? ...our clinic will be open for business (open the
doors and they will come...) :)
Coday V. Cunningham
With the following reply from Arlington County Employee, Lyndell Core:
From: Lyndell Core [mailto:Lcore@arlingtonva.us]
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2007 10:32 AM
To: Cunningham, Coday
Subject: RE: beware, this is a passive-aggressive email....no additional
work was done after the concrete slab was preped for the box....
Thanks for your note.
The Clarendon CCA identified as 13th and Herndon does not have an approved
budget but has an approved preliminary design. At this time there is
no allocation of funding for the CCA. The $1.75M is a preliminary cost
estimate for what the design will cost with infrastructure improvements
like sidewalks, site preparation, drainage and the other components like
demonstration gardens, green space, etc.,
The 13th and Clarendon site is very different from the Fort Barnard site
and the “suggested” improvements there in the preliminary
plan are a result of the community process. Those improvements are not
guaranteed until the money is allocated by the County Board.
Lights have not been approved for 13th and Herndon and the Chairman of
the County Board noted that in his remarks, adding that ljghting is a
separate issue and will be decided at a later date in a community process.
I can’t speak to the vendor’s comments about their perspective
on the project delays and won’t address second hand comments about
who said what. I respond to what I know. There are competing demands
for time and resources. This is not the only job the vendor is working
on, nor is it the only job we are working on but that doesn’t lessen
the importance of completing the task.
Towers Park has lights and is open after dark. I know their lights are
working because we had outage problems there last week. We repaired a
broke gate earlier this week but, still have drainage and water problems
and fence repair needs. But it is still a functional space available
for use. We are working on their issues just like Banneker’s drainage
problems, Madison’s lack of water, Utah’s fence, Glen Carlyn’s
erosion and Shirlington’s access to Four Mile Run for runaway dogs.
I will be here during the holidays, no travel plans, out only for Christmas
Eve and Christmas Day. I think you got some bad information. You know
I am frustrated and anxious for the lights to be in and operational.
Thanks for being open and communicating your concerns.
Lyndell
Posted December 21, 2007
December 17 Update
The concrete pad for the control box was poured today. The electrician will install the control box on Monday or Tuesday depending on the weather. The electrician will verify with Dominion when Dominion will run the line across the street and turn on the power. It is not as easy as flipping the switch. Dominion has to run a wire across the street to the existing pole and then turn on the power. You can bet when I get a date from Dominion I’ll call you right away.
Lyndell D. Core
Park Manager
Park Service Area 3
Posted December 17, 2008