Non-payment of taxes ends with new parkland for county

The parcel of land purchased by the county,seen in red above, is bordered by Midday Lane in the Sherwood Hall neighborhood. (image from FairfaxCounty.gov)

Someone didn’t pay their taxes, and it ended up working out in favor of Fort Hunt area residents.

The Fairfax County Park Authority purchased 10.15 acres of undeveloped land next to Paul Spring Stream Valley Park last month through a circuit court sale. The Park Authority was able to obtain the land, which is assessed at $62,000, for $31,00o.

“Any time any land adjacent to parkland is available for purchase, we’re certainly interested in it,” said Judy Pedersen, spokeswoman for the Park Authority, who added that the local community’s reaction to the purchase has been overwhelmingly positive.

The sale came about through a non-payment of real estate taxes, according to the Park Authority’s press release. The previous owner of the land was an heir to an estate. The land was first put up for auction by the county in June 2015, according to documents found online.

Paul Spring Branch, which is part of the Little Hunting Creek watershed, winds its way through the Mount Vernon district from the Groveton area to Fort Hunt. The new parkland is behind Midday Lane and directly borders the stream. It is “unimproved” land, meaning that aside from  some minor maintenance, it will basically be left alone. Peterson said the county’s stream valley parks often have trails, but that nothing is yet planned for the new Paul Spring land.