FAQ

Q: What are the lyrics to Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi"? Why did she write it? A: Please see Joni Mitchell's website.

Q: Are there civil war artifacts at Upton Hill Park? A: Possibly it seems. Union troops encamped in the area. See Wikipedia's entry on Upton Hill. But if any civil war buffs know more please send us information.

Q: What is a RPA? A: Like the Bay and all that comes with it? The Chesapeake Bay Foundation notes, "According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), urban and suburban storm water is the source of about 15 percent of the total nitrogen entering the Bay, and is the only source that is still increasing. In some rivers it makes up an even higher percentage of the problem. It is one of the major reasons that the Bay remains on EPA's "dirty waters" list and is now subject to the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. (Polluted Runoff -- The Gray Funnel of the Chesapeake). A resource protection area (RPA) is supposed to help protect the Bay. Its explained in Arlington County's Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance – RPA Map Update webpage. For more on protecting the Chesapeake Bay see: The Chesapeake Legal Alliance and Chesapeake Bay Program

Q: How does one remove invasives? A: For hand pulling invasives, we certainly recommend wearing work gloves, that is don't do it like the below as featured in Inside Nova. Ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, etc., are major issues for our parks. Please visit Arlington Master Naturalists for tips on invasive removal. Want to help? Arlington County's Invasive Plant Program has dates for upcoming invasive removals. If you want to help at Upton Hill Park, contact the park at: UptonHill@nvrpa.org.

Q: What is Arlington County’s financial contribution to NOVA Parks? A: A good question for the County Board or NOVA Parks! But the best we can tell it may be a bit over a million dollars a year. See NOVA Parks' Comprehensive Financial Report for the year end June 2017 and page 26 for Arlington County's $428,856 general revenue and $583,154 capital projects contribution. In FY2018, NOVA Parks was anticipating $433,120 for general revenue and $588,951 for the capital fund from Arlington County, according to NOVA Parks FY18 Adopted Budget.

Q: What Arlington County Permits does NOVA Parks need to do its work? According to NOVA Parks it needs three permits from Arlington – Land Disturbing Activity (LDA) Permit, Building Permit, VPDES Permit – and one from VDOT to make the new entrance road.

NOVA PARKs submitted a LDA Permit 18129 for "Parking Improvements" to Arlington County on May 21, 2018. See Arlington County permits website. (Wilson Blvd and 6060 in the pull down menus if you get lost.) You can see Arlington County staff comments on the rejections.

Q: How does NOVA Parks plan to pay for the "improvements? A: NOVA Parks says the overall project will cost three million dollars. At least the climbing structure part of the project seemingly will be financed through a bond starting with the FY19 budget as there is a line item entitled: Bond Financing-Upton Hill Adventure/Climbing Course. See page 2 of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY CAPITAL FUND BUDGET. We don't know if there is specific additional funding for the playground, better maintenance, or removal of invasives and trash, however.