The Fairfax County Park Authority is now accepting public comment on the conversion of Field 5 at Grist Mill Park in Mount Vernon.

Earlier this year, the field was renamed to honor Ret. Lt. Col. Gary F. Smith, who perished at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. The Smith family is currently working with the Fairfax County Park Foundation to facilitate the conversion of the field to a turf field. The Fairfax County Park Authority has applied for a federal grant from the Virginiia Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Land and Water Conservation Fund to fund part of the project cost.

The work involved in the conversion of the field include the following: excavation and fill to achieve design grades, the installation of a storm drainage system, the installation of synthetic turf, installation of a concrete perimeter curb, the installation of a concrete bleacher and player pads, and the installation of goal posts.

Public input on the field conversion project and grant application should be forwarded to the Fairfax County Park Authority. Public comment will be accepted from now through Jan. 31, 2013. Please direct written comments to David R. Bowden, Director, Planning & Development Division, Fairfax County Park Authority, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 406, Fairfax, Virginia 22035. You may also e-mail your comments to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov