APS: Think the "no move" campaign is going to work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Yes, it does matter. A lot. This is Arlington. 2 miles vs 4 miles makes a huge difference. What’s up with your fixation with yoga at community centers. I love proximity to my close community center. I’ve been to community events, civic association meetings, meetings with county officials, kids birthday parties, my kids music classes, art classes. All the things that make Arlington a desirable place to live.

And it’s not that this community center-takeover isn’t going to happen because of lack of funds. It’s not going to happen because it’s a bad idea.

If we were designing a new little city today with unlimited funds we wouldn't design it with a sh1tload of little community centers all over the county and a few mega elementary schools. The schools would be smaller & neighborhood-based and community centers more centralized/consolidated.

We ONLY have a bunch of little facilities because of our legacy school system. They are fine - people will use them - but let's not act like it's the best use of County/APS space.

What % of Arlingtonians even go to a community center 1x/year? 5x/year? 100x/year? They aren't widely used - not as much as schools, which are packed full 10 hrs x 5 days/week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Does it matter if your kids go to school 2 miles form your house vs. 4? Not really.

But given your stance, I assume that you would also support the county diverting available funding to expanding centralized community centers, and APS can delay all of its capital improvement projects in the meantime? Sure you don’t mean we should knock down community centers and then make the people who use them have nothing for years until new/expanded ones are built.

Drop off and pick up 5 days a week vs. maybe 1 class for an hour once a week - yes, proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

Again, it's a non-starter because we don't have the money, but it would be a much better use of County/APS land.

Driving two miles takes a few minutes, and at either of those distances, your kid can get a bus.

Also, some people exercise more than once a week.

Sure, but proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

The majority of people in Arlington DGAF about proximity to schools.

More people care about proximity to schools than proximity to community centers.

You know that how?

Because I know that the vast majority of APS parents value proximity - the survey results speak for themselves.

Out of the people who actually use the community center more than say 10x/year how many actually care about proximity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Yes, it does matter. A lot. This is Arlington. 2 miles vs 4 miles makes a huge difference. What’s up with your fixation with yoga at community centers. I love proximity to my close community center. I’ve been to community events, civic association meetings, meetings with county officials, kids birthday parties, my kids music classes, art classes. All the things that make Arlington a desirable place to live.

And it’s not that this community center-takeover isn’t going to happen because of lack of funds. It’s not going to happen because it’s a bad idea.

If we were designing a new little city today with unlimited funds we wouldn't design it with a sh1tload of little community centers all over the county and a few mega elementary schools. The schools would be smaller & neighborhood-based and community centers more centralized/consolidated.

We ONLY have a bunch of little facilities because of our legacy school system. They are fine - people will use them - but let's not act like it's the best use of County/APS space.

What % of Arlingtonians even go to a community center 1x/year? 5x/year? 100x/year? They aren't widely used - not as much as schools, which are packed full 10 hrs x 5 days/week.

There are 13 community centers serving the entire population of Arlington. There are 24 existing elementary schools and another one being built to serve a minority of Arlington residents. Not seeing how this is a lopsided use of county resources.

I’m starting to feel a little ridiculous that I keep responding to your posts, and I’m not like some great community center champion, but your argument is just so weird.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Yes, it does matter. A lot. This is Arlington. 2 miles vs 4 miles makes a huge difference. What’s up with your fixation with yoga at community centers. I love proximity to my close community center. I’ve been to community events, civic association meetings, meetings with county officials, kids birthday parties, my kids music classes, art classes. All the things that make Arlington a desirable place to live.

And it’s not that this community center-takeover isn’t going to happen because of lack of funds. It’s not going to happen because it’s a bad idea.

If we were designing a new little city today with unlimited funds we wouldn't design it with a sh1tload of little community centers all over the county and a few mega elementary schools. The schools would be smaller & neighborhood-based and community centers more centralized/consolidated.

We ONLY have a bunch of little facilities because of our legacy school system. They are fine - people will use them - but let's not act like it's the best use of County/APS space.

What % of Arlingtonians even go to a community center 1x/year? 5x/year? 100x/year? They aren't widely used - not as much as schools, which are packed full 10 hrs x 5 days/week.

There are 13 community centers serving the entire population of Arlington. There are 24 existing elementary schools and another one being built to serve a minority of Arlington residents. Not seeing how this is a lopsided use of county resources.

I’m starting to feel a little ridiculous that I keep responding to your posts, and I’m not like some great community center champion, but your argument is just so weird.

Only in theory.

[Anonymous]

NP.

To the person going on about community centers, you are insane. They are well used by all ages. Maybe not by you. But no you can’t just take them all over and turn them into schools. You think people in the County would just go for that genius plan. WTF???

[Anonymous]

https://parks.arlingtonva.us/parksfacilities/community-centers/

Ok, I’m confused. Besides these, are there others I’m not aware of? I’m relatively new to the county (just a couple years).

[Anonymous]

If I were a retired person interested in community centers, I would be really jazzed about having access to one or two really good ones rather than several depressing ones. That plus the aquatic centers and tracks at the high schools would be good, solid options.

I agree that one of the community centers would be a reasonable sacrifice for a much needed school, especially if resources could be beefed up at the other community centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Yes, it does matter. A lot. This is Arlington. 2 miles vs 4 miles makes a huge difference. What’s up with your fixation with yoga at community centers. I love proximity to my close community center. I’ve been to community events, civic association meetings, meetings with county officials, kids birthday parties, my kids music classes, art classes. All the things that make Arlington a desirable place to live.

And it’s not that this community center-takeover isn’t going to happen because of lack of funds. It’s not going to happen because it’s a bad idea.

If we were designing a new little city today with unlimited funds we wouldn't design it with a sh1tload of little community centers all over the county and a few mega elementary schools. The schools would be smaller & neighborhood-based and community centers more centralized/consolidated.

We ONLY have a bunch of little facilities because of our legacy school system. They are fine - people will use them - but let's not act like it's the best use of County/APS space.

What % of Arlingtonians even go to a community center 1x/year? 5x/year? 100x/year? They aren't widely used - not as much as schools, which are packed full 10 hrs x 5 days/week.

There are 13 community centers serving the entire population of Arlington. There are 24 existing elementary schools and another one being built to serve a minority of Arlington residents. Not seeing how this is a lopsided use of county resources.

I’m starting to feel a little ridiculous that I keep responding to your posts, and I’m not like some great community center champion, but your argument is just so weird.

And I'm not even pushing to take over the community centers - just saying it's a shame we can't use that land for their initial use - schools - because they are well-located for schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't even with the Anjy guy. Someone pointed out an error in when ATS starts (and I'm not sure that it even matters because Key could probably keep it's start time if necessary for the population) and he's equating 35 minutes to an hour. Dude, let that argument go.

I want to be supportive of the minority population of Key, but those loud voices make it harder and harder.

She, not he.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I were a retired person interested in community centers, I would be really jazzed about having access to one or two really good ones rather than several depressing ones. That plus the aquatic centers and tracks at the high schools would be good, solid options.

I agree that one of the community centers would be a reasonable sacrifice for a much needed school, especially if resources could be beefed up at the other community centers.

The county says they would prefer larger, multi-purpose centers - but there are obvious limitation with budget and available land.

https://arlingtonva.s3.dualstack.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/cbo/2005/dec/1210/40att1.pdf

Nature Centers
While the County has a good overall coverage of the community for indoor recreation
centers, many of these are smaller “neighborhood” type centers. In the recreation industry,
research shows that creating larger (60,000 sf or more) multi-purpose centers actually
increases usage and cost recovery, ability to program for multiple generations, and user
retention. The current average size of 25,000 sf or lower in Arlington County is considered
very small for optimal use. The County’s two nature centers are located in former single
family residences that have been converted for public use. The County should:
• Invest in a detailed inventory of its indoor recreation and nature centers and
usage/feasibility analysis to determine what the right mix and size of spaces should be
and determine solutions, including increasing the size, combining offerings and
programs, and/or closing or re-purposing of some centers, using the clustering
philosophy as described above. As part of this effort, the County should assess the
need for historic interpretation and environmental education.
• Include an analysis of “alternative providers” to help determine whether any of the
needs are currently being met or could be met by private, public or non-profit
facilities or joint use facilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Does it matter if your kids go to school 2 miles form your house vs. 4? Not really.

But given your stance, I assume that you would also support the county diverting available funding to expanding centralized community centers, and APS can delay all of its capital improvement projects in the meantime? Sure you don’t mean we should knock down community centers and then make the people who use them have nothing for years until new/expanded ones are built.

Drop off and pick up 5 days a week vs. maybe 1 class for an hour once a week - yes, proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

Again, it's a non-starter because we don't have the money, but it would be a much better use of County/APS land.

Driving two miles takes a few minutes, and at either of those distances, your kid can get a bus.

Also, some people exercise more than once a week.

Sure, but proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

The majority of people in Arlington DGAF about proximity to schools.

More people care about proximity to schools than proximity to community centers.

You know that how?

Because I know that the vast majority of APS parents value proximity - the survey results speak for themselves.

Out of the people who actually use the community center more than say 10x/year how many actually care about proximity?

Parents of school aged children are a minority in Arlington, so it’s ridiculous to assume that majority of Arlington voters care deeply about school proximity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Does it matter if your kids go to school 2 miles form your house vs. 4? Not really.

But given your stance, I assume that you would also support the county diverting available funding to expanding centralized community centers, and APS can delay all of its capital improvement projects in the meantime? Sure you don’t mean we should knock down community centers and then make the people who use them have nothing for years until new/expanded ones are built.

Drop off and pick up 5 days a week vs. maybe 1 class for an hour once a week - yes, proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

Again, it's a non-starter because we don't have the money, but it would be a much better use of County/APS land.

Driving two miles takes a few minutes, and at either of those distances, your kid can get a bus.

Also, some people exercise more than once a week.

Sure, but proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

The majority of people in Arlington DGAF about proximity to schools.

More people care about proximity to schools than proximity to community centers.

You know that how?

Because I know that the vast majority of APS parents value proximity - the survey results speak for themselves.

Out of the people who actually use the community center more than say 10x/year how many actually care about proximity?

Parents of school aged children are a minority in Arlington, so it’s ridiculous to assume that majority of Arlington voters care deeply about school proximity.

They care more about schools than community centers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Does it matter if your kids go to school 2 miles form your house vs. 4? Not really.

But given your stance, I assume that you would also support the county diverting available funding to expanding centralized community centers, and APS can delay all of its capital improvement projects in the meantime? Sure you don’t mean we should knock down community centers and then make the people who use them have nothing for years until new/expanded ones are built.

Drop off and pick up 5 days a week vs. maybe 1 class for an hour once a week - yes, proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

Again, it's a non-starter because we don't have the money, but it would be a much better use of County/APS land.

Driving two miles takes a few minutes, and at either of those distances, your kid can get a bus.

Also, some people exercise more than once a week.

Sure, but proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

The majority of people in Arlington DGAF about proximity to schools.

More people care about proximity to schools than proximity to community centers.

You know that how?

Because I know that the vast majority of APS parents value proximity - the survey results speak for themselves.

Out of the people who actually use the community center more than say 10x/year how many actually care about proximity?

Parents of school aged children are a minority in Arlington, so it’s ridiculous to assume that majority of Arlington voters care deeply about school proximity.

They care more about schools than community centers.

Source?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This argument about community centers is so peculiar. Take parks and playgrounds. Should APS take all those over and Arlington make one mega-county Park for the entire county? Parks, like community centers, are enjoyed by everyone.

Does it really matter if you take your parks & rec yoga class 2 miles from your house vs. 4? Not really.

We don’t need to have a lot of little community centers when fewer, larger facilities would work just as well. The only reason we have a bunch today was because of declining school populations.

Does it matter if your kids go to school 2 miles form your house vs. 4? Not really.

But given your stance, I assume that you would also support the county diverting available funding to expanding centralized community centers, and APS can delay all of its capital improvement projects in the meantime? Sure you don’t mean we should knock down community centers and then make the people who use them have nothing for years until new/expanded ones are built.

Drop off and pick up 5 days a week vs. maybe 1 class for an hour once a week - yes, proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

Again, it's a non-starter because we don't have the money, but it would be a much better use of County/APS land.

Driving two miles takes a few minutes, and at either of those distances, your kid can get a bus.

Also, some people exercise more than once a week.

Sure, but proximity to schools is more important than proximity to community centers.

The majority of people in Arlington DGAF about proximity to schools.

More people care about proximity to schools than proximity to community centers.

You know that how?

Because I know that the vast majority of APS parents value proximity - the survey results speak for themselves.

Out of the people who actually use the community center more than say 10x/year how many actually care about proximity?

Parents of school aged children are a minority in Arlington, so it’s ridiculous to assume that majority of Arlington voters care deeply about school proximity.

They care more about schools than community centers.

Source?

Seriously? Please just let it drop.

I posted all of the bond votes - how many school bonds weren’t passed? People care about schools on Election Day.

[Anonymous]

Anyway..........



Key School has a late bus? I didn’t realize that. For kids who stay for extended day? Do any other elementary schools offer that?