Would you mind living across the street from a public park?

[Anonymous]

Any DCUM want to weigh in on pros and cons of living next to a public park? I wonder if little League games and public events will cause your street to be really crowded. People parking in front of your house, sitting on your lawn, trash everywhere...

Check out this new construction next to a park in Vienna, VA:
http://www.redfin.com/VA/Vienna/508-Meadow-Ln-SW-22180/home/9453702

[Anonymous]

Based on the map, it looks like a pretty small park. I grew up across the street from a small one and it was great.

[Anonymous]

The park's pavilion is available for rent, according to the city website.
I wonder how often people rent it for parties and such? That could be a pain, if people were always parked in front of your house.

[Anonymous]

Meadow Lane is a busy park, a favorite of toddlers. People always park right in front of these houses. Because its a toddler park for the most part, I would expect people to park there every day of the week since the kids aren't in school yet. And they have parties in the pavilion every weekend during the warm months.

[Anonymous]

Tennis court noise would be the worst part in my opinion. This is a very busy park where old ride on toys are retired so its not really a pretty park, FYI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meadow Lane is a busy park, a favorite of toddlers. People always park right in front of these houses. Because its a toddler park for the most part, I would expect people to park there every day of the week since the kids aren't in school yet. And they have parties in the pavilion every weekend during the warm months.

I agree. I walk past this park regularly. On weekends in nice weather, the toddler side of the park is a zoo!

I walk on Courthouse (which is itself a busy street I would not want to live on) so I don't get to see how much the ball field is used; the house you linked to is closer to the ball field side so possibly that would be quieter. I would recommend visiting on different days and at different times to see traffic, parking, field lighting, etc.

I live a couple blocks from a larger park with several ball fields that are open, and therefore lit, after dusk. I love living that close to the park, but I have to say that a couple blocks (not nearer) is the right distance for the level of use our larger park gets.

[Anonymous]

I lived directly across from a Park (Royer Park in Roseville, Ca) It was a complete nightmare. 7 years of torture. People blocking the driveway, concerts on Sundays, Saturday soccer, softball, volleyball you name it. I could not wait to get out of there. It looks peaceful and serene during the day, but then after 4:00pm forget it. I never could relax.
I would never live across from a park again.

[Anonymous]

What a weird question. In my neck of the woods, living near a park is a big amenity.

[Anonymous]

This park is pretty small. I would like living near it.

[Anonymous]

Since the house will have dedicated parking, don't think this is a big deal. Could be some noise, but direct access is a nice amenity for your own family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What a weird question. In my neck of the woods, living near a park is a big amenity.

We bought near a park and with 2 little kids, it's the best thing ever. Both the park and our house have their own dedicated parking areas.

[Anonymous]

I would probably pay extra to live near a park. A townhouse next to a park is perfect... someone takes care of the landscaping!

[Anonymous]

I live next to a park. Love it. It's like having our own personal playground and ensures we meet all the neighbors.

[Anonymous]

We love it too. The only thing we don't like is the late night basketball players. The whole neighborhood hears the "thunk-thunk-bang-ding....thunk" long into the night. Sound really travels when the rest of the world goes to sleep.

During the day we don't really hear anything other than kids laughing, even during soccer games, it is just regular city background noise. You might feel differently if you are expecting no sound other than suburban leaf blowers and lawn mowers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meadow Lane is a busy park, a favorite of toddlers. People always park right in front of these houses. Because its a toddler park for the most part, I would expect people to park there every day of the week since the kids aren't in school yet. And they have parties in the pavilion every weekend during the warm months.

+1

No parks. No schools. No exceptions.