October 13, 2026

Dear County Board Members,

The Ashton Heights Civic Association (AHCA) would like to bring the Arlington County Board’s attention, before the Ballston Park and Buckingham Commercial Area study process begins on an overarching critical issue of tree canopy preservation.

Ashton Heights used to be an oasis in the middle of Arlington. Ashton Heights lost a significant number of canopy trees to development, and our oasis is fading. In 2023, our canopy was 36%. Like the County as a whole, we remain short of the goal of at least 40% canopy adopted in the County’s 2023 Forestry and Natural Resources Plan.

We are writing to request additions to the charge before the study’s first committee meeting on October 15, 2026. The charge lists “tree canopy” among the many factors to be considered, but it does not give the canopy the dedicated background work it provides for historic preservation and affordable housing. Before kickoff, Historic Preservation Program staff will use a consultant to evaluate the site’s historic significance, and Housing staff will scope financial feasibility. There is no equivalent assessment of the trees. Without this assessment, the canopy risks becoming an afterthought once development scenarios are on the table.

We ask the Board to add the following to the charge to staff:

1. Treat the Ballston Park tree canopy as a core consideration alongside both the Local Historic District and affordable housing, not as an additional item to be considered. The Ballston Park tree canopy is irreplaceable, and deserves equal consideration with these other two attributes of primary importance.

2. Complete an “existing conditions inventory” of the tree canopy before scenario development begins, with at least a preliminary survey available for the first committee meeting on October 15. Ask the historic preservation consultant to evaluate mature trees as potential character-defining features of the site.

3. Give Urban Forestry staff a working role in the study parallel to that of the Historic Preservation Program and Housing staff, working with the Forestry and Natural Resources Commission. Ensure that the Forestry and Natural Resources Commission is included as one of the Commissions to be consulted in the Public Engagement aspect of the study.

This information is critical in our request:
The portion of Ballston Park being studied for redevelopment, which is entirely within Ashton Heights, has a large number of nearly century-old canopy trees. These trees are a significant percentage of Ashton Heights’ remaining mature canopy trees. These trees are a critical resource for both Ashton Heights and Arlington County, and maintaining mature tree canopy is essential to the County’s climate goals and quality of life of residents. The County’s own investment in planting 61 young canopy trees in Ballston Park this year shows that it recognizes this value. Urban areas are increasingly recognizing the value of mature canopy trees, as described in a recent New York Times article, “Saving Old Trees Might Save Lives.”

We believe protecting these trees is consistent with the study’s other goals, not in competition with them. Buckingham Village was designated historic, in part, for its Garden City planning, which sets buildings within generous landscaped open space. The mature canopy is part of what makes the site historically significant.

The Ashton Heights Civic Association (AHCA) looks forward to participating in the committee work for the study concerning Ballston Park and Buckingham Commercial Area, and we appreciate that the County Board’s charge of May 19, 2026 names our association among the study’s key audiences. AHCA will have our various committees involved in input guided by the AHCA Development Committee, whose cochair, Alexander Tuneski, is named as our representative.

Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
Scott Sklar, President, Ashton Heights Civic Association (AHCA)

cc: Mark Schwartz, County Manager 
Valerie Weiner, Housing Dev Specialist, 
Caroline Haynes, Forestry & Natural Resources Chair
Vincent Verweij, Urban Forest Manager
AHCA Executive Committee & Committee Chairs