Ribbon Cutting To Celebrate Improvements To Largest Park In Manassas City

MANASSAS, VA — New pickleball courts are one highlight of the new Dean Park improvements being unveiled with a ribbon cutting Friday.

The City of Manassas is hosting a ribbon cutting for Dean Park (9501 Dean Park Lane) after a project adding improvements. Dean Park is the city's largest park and is home to recreational amenities and Manassas Boys & Girls Club. Improvements include eight pickleball courts, new basketball and futsal courts, turf rectangular fields, new infrastructure such as new restrooms, new parking and a skate park expansion.

The skate park is expected to remain closed until June. The city said the old skate park had to be demolished due to "severe safety and concrete deficiencies." A contractor is expected to resume work on the skate park in April.

Future improvements to the park could include another diamond field with an overlaid rectangular field and lighting, additional sports courts, and a playground.

Sports courts and other park amenities can be reserved through the City of Manassas parks and recreation.

The park is next to the Jennie Dean Elementary, which is being rebuilt. There is also a Jennie Dean Memorial on the grounds of the Manassas Industrial School site near Wellington Road. Supporters of the memorial have been working to make updates. The first phase of the updates added a bronze statue of Jennie Dean, and future improvements envisioned are walking paths, updated signage and an amphitheater.

The complex is named for Jennie Serepta Dean, who was born enslaved in Sudley Springs, Virginia and had a dedicated career to educating African American children. Dean started Manassas Industrial School for Colored Youth in 1893.