McNaughton Field Complex Renovation Plans in the Works

The McNaughton Field Complex in Mount Vernon will soon get a makeover.

The field has been the home of Woodlawn Little League since the 1960s. The fields are in need of improvement and the renovations will provide state of the art facilities for Woodlawn Little League players and a "safe and amazing place to play their ballgames," WLL Board member Kerry McConnon told Patch. 

The project will be funded by the $75 million park bond that passed in November 2012. The renovations are expected to cost around $4,145,500, according to the county. The design process has not been completed and the Fairfax County Park Authority Board has not given approval of the final design. A final design should be completed by the end of 2013.

According to the plans, the renovation includes:

• One 90’ diamond with field amenities including bullpens, dugouts, and scorer’s platforms
• Three 60’ diamonds with field amenities including bullpens, dugouts, and scorer’s platforms
• 173-space parking lot
• Pole Road Frontage Improvements
• Public Utilities
• Irrigation
• Lighting
• Stormwater improvements to be completed through a partnership between the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services.

Woodlawn Little League will raise funds to construct a concessions stand and new scoreboards for the complex. Woodlawn Little League will need to raise $200,000 from the community to fund these elements, McConnon said.

“We're going to look for any and all assistance,” McConnon said.

The field renovations will give the organization the opportunity to provide a family-friendly location for people to spend the day and the opportunity to host state-wide Little League tournaments, Woodlawn Little League president Shannon Scheel said.

"One of our goals is going to be to create the park as an environment for families to participate throughout the day," Scheel said. "Along with that goal is to try to increase enrollment. This would give us the opportunity to host a state tournament for District 9."

McConnon hopes the new field will have a positive impact on Mount Vernon businesses.

"More people will come to the fields and hopefully then go to the restaurants to hang out after the games," McConnon said.

McConnon and Scheel said the goal is for construction to break ground in 2015.