The Fabric of the CommunityFairfax County Park Authority Biennial Report: 2009 and 2010 in Review

On the Cover: Cattail Sunrise was taken by local photographer Michael DuBois at Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria on a sunny fall morning. Huntley Meadows is a haven for photographers who walk the boardwalk seeking photographs of the countless birds, fauna, and small mammals who call this unique estuary home. An abundance of wildlife makes this a popular location for visitors and those who appreciate this natural oasis located in the midst of the rapidly urbanizing community.

The Fabric of the CommunityFairfax County Park Authority Biennial Report: 2009 and 2010 in Review

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The past two years have been truly remarkable! As Chairman of the Park Authority Board I have a bird’s eye view of the day-to-day challenges our staff and agency leadership face, as well as the long term

policy issues and concerns that we must address in order to remain financially viable, customer friendly, and environmentally sound. We celebrated our 60th year of service in 2010 and we were able to cap that off with receipt of the 2010 Gold Medal Award, a prestigious honor akin to winning the Oscars proclaiming the Park Authority as the best in the nation.

Like the community we serve, our agency faced many of the same challenges each of us tackles on a daily basis. The weather threw us all for a loop as Snowmaggeden raged and we struggled to keep services running in the face of the coldest and snowiest winter on record. Similarly, the past summer brought an excruciating heat wave that took its toll on our green spaces as well as testing the perseverance of our staff engaged in park maintenance, at outdoor pools and facilities, and at our summer camps and concerts. It was really hot.

And while “hot” described the atmosphere, it hardly described the economy that turned towards recession and forced us to re-evaluate our core mission and our ability to provide the breadth and depth of services we currently offer. That is a process still in the works that will lead us to a more sustainable fiscal plan in the coming years. It’s been difficult but we do continue to thrive, due in large measure to great leadership, dedicated staff, a productive Park Foundation, and continuing support from our volunteers, Friends groups, community partners, and local officials. With an improving fiscal outlook and plans for a 2012 Park Bond things are beginning to look up.

There are still so many reasons to celebrate. For example, our capital projects – new synthetic turf fields, playgrounds, fitness centers, and equestrian facilities, to name a few, continue to come in on time and under budget, due in large measure to the efforts of our Planning team. They took full advantage of a struggling construction industry and aggressively bid projects that priced lower than anticipated. This resulted in lower costs and the ability to build more with existing funding.

In the face of adversity we maintained our collective composure and became a national model for how to get the job done. Our planners are working hard to establish new park designs and standards to meet the needs of the future. As our community begins to urbanize parks must adapt to the changes in cultural diversity, different recreational pursuits, a new emphasis on the value and obligation of environmental protection and stewardship, and recognition that citizens will continue to support a park system responsive to their changing needs and desires. Our mission to promote natural and cultural stewardship and improve the quality of life for all citizens still resonates. We remain focused and strong.

Keep your passion for parks alive and join me in working to keep our current and future holdings in trust for the generations to come. We are blessed with a well-run, beautiful and diverse park system. Together we can build on what we have and continue the pursuit of excellence.

William G. Bouie, Chairman

Chairman’s Message

Fairfax County Park Authority Named Best in the Nation

The Fairfax County Park Authority received the parks and recreation industry’s highest honor when it was awarded the

2010 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. The award was presented

to the Park Authority by The American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) at NRPA’s Annual Congress & Exposition held November 2010, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate

excellence in long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship,

program development, professional development, and agency recognition.

The Park Authority was selected in the Class I category, a tier for park agencies that serve a population of 250,000 and over, including

the other three finalists, Miami-Dade County Park and Recreation Department, Florida; New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, New York; and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, North Carolina. The Park Authority has been honored with Gold Medal Awards twice previously and received several finalist designations throughout the years.

Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova offered her congratulations, stating, “This is a wonderful recognition of the outstanding work our Park Authority has done. People love their parks in Fairfax County. They help provide the excellent quality of life our community values.”

Park Authority Board Chairman Bill Bouie also offered his congratulations to the agency noting, “The entire county, and its residents, will certainly celebrate what we have known, that Fairfax County has the best park system in the country; and now it has been acknowledged.” Bouie added, “We could not have done it without the support of the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive and his team. Our staff and dedicated volunteers, plus citizens who regularly support the parks are to be commended as well. We thank them for their belief in our mission and their recognition of the importance of parks in our community.”

Wins Coveted 2010 Gold Medal Award

The Board of Supervisors honored Park Authority staff and Board members on receipt of the agency’s third Gold Medal Award.

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• 22,896 acres of parkland and open space

• 417 parks

• Three lakefront parks

• Nine RECenters

• One skatepark

• 289 athletic fields

• 11,435 classes held in FY10 across the community

• Over 139,000 registrants for camps, trips and classes

• Seven off-leash dog parks

• Eight golf courses

• One ice skating rink

• Five nature centers

• Nine summer performance series featuring 194 culturally diverse performances and four drive-in movies

• Two equestrian areas

• 50 Rec- PAC Summer program sites

• 10 historic sites

• 668 garden sites

• One fully-accessible playground and carousel and the newly opened, fully-accessible Our Special Harbor sprayground

• Two fantastic waterparks – one indoors and the other under sunny skies!

• 24 synthetic turf fields

• Seven amphitheaters

• One observatory park

• 316 miles of trails

• Over three million archaeological artifacts and 5,600 museum objects

• One working farm

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Counting on Parks

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Our Mission:

To set aside public spaces for and assist citizens in the protection and enhancement of environmental values, diversity of natural habitat, and cultural heritage to guarantee that these resources will be available to both present and future generations.

To create and sustain quality facilities and services which offer citizens opportunities for recreation, improvement of their physical and mental well-being, and enhancement of their quality of life.

Our Vision:

The Fairfax County Park Authority strives to inspire and sustain a passion for parks and leisure experiences that enhance our community’s quality of life.

Our Values:

• Effective Communication• Fostering Diversity• Demonstrating Fiscal Responsibility• Developing Partnerships• Valuing Our Workforce• Providing Quality and Value• Enhancing Stewardship

Fairfax County Parks: The Fabric of the Community

Weaving the Future

“We live in a web of ideas, a fabric of own making.” Joseph Chilton Pearce, author In 2009 and 2010 the Fairfax County Park Authority met several challenges head-on. The agency overcame severe fiscal constraints, daunting winter weather and growing demands for service as more than 18 million visitors spent time in our parks, on our golf courses, and in our RECenters. These were times of capital improvement, renovation and cultivation of cultural resources. It was also a time of progress. The Park Authority continued to reach out to diverse communities, upgraded the ability to transact business online, and adopted new customer service standards aimed at pleasing those who use county parks and facilities. The agency also created new planning guidelines for urban parks and ensured that redevelopment areas of the county will include parks and recreational facilities. Thousands of residents spoke out at Listening Forums, the Great Parks, Great Communities initiatives, and web-driven communication.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. These 12 appointees are comprised of one representative from each of the nine magisterial districts, plus three at-large members. The Park Board sets policy and establishes priorities for the park agency. The Board holds public meetings on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building (12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 941, Fairfax, VA) located across from the Government Center complex.

To contact a Board member or to send a comment or question, send an e-mail to Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

You can find relevant information about Board actions, agendas, and issues online. For Board agendas visit us at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/boardagn.htm.

To access information about Board members and current committee assignments, visit us online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fcpaboard.htm.

For general questions please contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.

The Park Authority Board

The Park Authority Board sets policy and establishes priorities for the Fairfax County Park Authority.

William G. BouieChairman

Linwood GorhamMount Vernon

Harold PyonSpringfield

Kala QuintanaAt-large

Marie ReinsdorfAt-large

Harold L. StricklandSully

Anthony J. VellucciBraddock

Harrison A. GlasgowVice-Chairman

Ken QuincySecretary

Frank S. VajdaTreasurer

Kevin J. FayDranesville

Edward R. Batten, Sr. Lee

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After Six Decades Park Authority Still Shines

The Fairfax County Park Authority marked its 60th anniversary in 2010, kicking off the year-long celebration with a resolution presented by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Tuesday, February 23, 2010. The Park Authority was created by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on December 5, 1950, under a provision of the Virginia Code.

The creation of the Park Authority marked the formal beginning of the county’s park and recreational system. Over the past 60 years, the system has evolved into a mosaic of open space and recreational amenities, ranging from neighborhood and community parks to extensively developed recreation centers, nature centers, equestrian facilities, a skate park, historic sites, and vast tracts of undeveloped land conserved for future generations.

The Park Authority had modest beginnings with no funds for land acquisition or park development. In 1955 the Authority owned nine parks on 92 acres of land. Through the support of the Board of Supervisors and the foresight of county residents, 11 park bond referenda have been approved between 1959 and 2008 providing nearly $400 million in funding for capital projects and land acquisition. Today, the Park Authority boasts 417 parks on more than 22,896 acres of land, nearly 10% of the landmass of the county.

Our recent celebration brought the past, present and future together. The Fairfax County Park Authority is a treasure trove of historic information with more than three million artifacts in its care and information about historic sites and events online. You can peruse the Resources archives for historic feature stories at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/archives/. You can also find interesting information about our museum collections at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/collections/. For facts about Heritage Interpretation visit online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/resources-interpret.htm. Or visit one of our historic sites in person. For a complete listing of programs, locations and hours of operations visit us at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/resources/sites.htm.

The agency-wide celebration was marked by special events, the planting of anniversary gardens, a geocaching camp series and commemorative geo-coins, and even duck races at the Water Mine Family Swimmin Hole!

Park Authority Celebrates Agency’s 60th Anniversary

Duck Races were a popular diversion at the Water Mine at Lake Fairfax!

Geocaching coins were minted for lucky enthusiasts to locate.

The Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting to the Park Authority for its Comprehensive Financial Report in both 2009 and 2010.

In 2009, the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) presented a Blue Pencil Award to the Park Authority for the opening ceremonies at Ox Hill Battlefield Park in the media event category. In 2010, two additional NAGC awards were received. Welcome to Your Parks, three in a series of podcasts, received a Gold Screen Award, while Dig Into the Past, an interpretive exhibit at Frying Pan Farm Park, received a Blue Pencil in the display category.

The Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals presented Park News employee newsletter with a Gold 2009 Hermes Creative Award in the publications/newsletter category.

The International Academy of Visual Arts presented a 2009 Communicator Award for the Invasive Management ID and Control Handbook as well as the agency’s Annual Report, Exploring the Possibilities, which was the recipient of an Award of Excellence for Overall Design. In 2010, the agency’s annual report Meeting The Challenge received a Silver Communicator Award.

The Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS) presented the Park Authority with a Best Promotional Award for Electronic Media award recognizing the Community Connections video in 2009. This video is a primary outreach tool into diverse communities in Fairfax County.

In 2010, VRPS presented former Park Board At-large Member George Lovelace with the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award and also presented the Best New Facility Award to the Park Authority for the recently constructed horse stables at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation’s website www.fxparks.org received a Gold Medal for outstanding creative achievement from MarCom, the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals. Marcom also honored the agency’s podcast, Hidden Pond: The Sounds of Spring with a Gold Award.

The Park Authority was selected by the National Association of Counties Arts and Culture Commission as the recipient of the 2010 Arts and Culture Award for its Explore the World in Your Community performance series at Ossian Hall Park. The awards program, sponsored in partnership with the Americans for the Arts, recognizes county leadership that has utilized the arts and cultural activities to address quality of life and societal problems. Thousands of residents enjoyed these international performances.

The Competitive Edge

National Association of Counties Arts and Culture Commission selected the Park Authority as the recipient of the 2010 Arts and Culture Award for its Explore the World in Your Community performance series at Ossian Hall Park.

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Trails remain one of the most popular amenities in the park system! Volunteers have been especially helpful, creating new sustainable trails, repairing trails and even designing new trail routes. Over the past two years, trails have continued to flourish in Fairfax County.

Sustainable trails were opened in the fall of 2009 at Laurel Hill Park. The trails were designed by volunteers and Park Authority staff. The project cost $359,000 to complete and volunteers from Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) have adopted the park and will perform routine trail maintenance.

The project focused on using sustainable construction techniques. Nearly two miles of these trails are designed specifically for advanced mountain biking with obstacles and skill-building features.

The Wolf Trap Road Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge in the Providence District was opened in June 2010. This relatively inexpensive bridge and trail project was a partnership between the Park Authority, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, and the Virginia Department of Transportation. The new trail and bridge provide much needed connectivity along the trail.

Each June, National Trails Day provides an opportunity for trail work and camaraderie. Folks gathered on June 6, 2010, at Lake Fairfax Park to break ground on a multi-phased, trails improvement project known as the Lake Fairfax Sustainable Natural Surface Trail system. This project adds two miles of sustainable trail, two bridges, as well as reclaiming 1,200 linear feet of non-sustainable trail within the park.

Walk-About: More Than 300 Miles of Trails

Fairfax4Horses, MORE, and officials cut the ribbon on the multi-use trail system at Laurel Hill. Trails remain a very popular draw for county residents.

Local Cub Scouts participated in the groundbreaking festivities and Trails Day 2010 activities.

Trail enthusiasts study plans for the Lake Fairfax Sustainable Natural Surface Trails system designed by IMBA and built by volunteers.

The Fairfax County Park Authority, as a component of Fairfax County, adheres to the same financial practices as the County. Due to ongoing budgetary constraints, reductions in force and staff turnover, all efforts in fiscal year 2010 were focused on maintaining park programs and services and minimizing impacts to County residents.

In fiscal year 2006, the Park Authority adopted its 2006-2010 Strategic Plan using the Balanced Scorecard approach. The Authority has identified strategic objectives for achieving its overarching strategic goals of improving the quality of life for all residents while remaining financially responsible.

The Park Authority Board’s approval of the existing five-year strategic plan and scorecard measures have been extended through fiscal year 2012 due to challenging resources due to the difficult economic times. A new plan is currently being drafted, but key focus areas include addressing park infrastructure, identification of core programs and services, sustaining workforce readiness, assessing the role of public art in parks, coordinating marketing and communication efforts, as well as amending the park recommendations in the County Comprehensive Plan.

Financial Highlights

The assets of the Park Authority exceeded its liabilities by $557.8 million, an increase of $18.6 million, or 3.5%, during fiscal year 2010.

The Authority’s governmental funds reported combined ending fund balances of $45.8 million, an increase of $4.3 million in comparison with the prior year. During fiscal year 2010, the Park Authority received a transfer $11.5 million from the County bond sale proceeds.

Two existing natural turf rectangular fields were converted to synthetic turf; one at Lee District

Park and one at Greenbriar Park at a cost of $2 million. Completed synthetic turf field conversions further reduced the rectangular field deficiency across Fairfax County.

At Frying Pan Farm Park, the new equestrian barn, manure shed, and two warm-up areas were constructed, and the existing deteriorated wood structure stables were demolished at a cost of $3.7 million. The Virginia Recreation and Parks Society recently recognized the facility as the “Best New Facility” in a community with a population greater than 150,000.

Four ADA compliant picnic shelters and related amenities were added at Lake Fairfax Park. Additional improvements at Lake Fairfax Park include entrance road renovations, trail improvements leading to key features, and demolition of the original pool pump house at a cost of $700,000.

The lighting systems at South Run District Park, Poplar Tree Park, and Rolling Valley West Park were upgraded and new lights were also added to the existing diamond field at JEB Stuart Park at a total cost of $1.1 million.

New equestrian facilities at Frying Pan Farm Park were one of numerous projects financed through Park Bond funds. Reduced construction costs allowed for additional projects.

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Your Money At Work

Fairfax County Park Authority FY 2010 FY 2009

General Fund (001) - Expenditures $23,252,069 $22,662,112 Park Authority/Revenue Fund (170) - Revenue $39,166,263 $38,382,428 Park Authority/Revenue Fund (170) - Expenditures $37,636,626 $37,369,385 Park Authority/Revenue Fund (170) - Net Revenue $1,529,637 $1,013,043 County Construction Fund (303) - Expenditures $6,507,182 $6,129,267 Park Bond Construction Fund (370) - Expenditures $19,230,968 $19,079,049Park Authority Capital Fund (371) - Expenditures $1,607,926 $5,354,458

Revenues by Source - Fiscal Year 2010 Expenses by Function - Fiscal Year 2010

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Links to More Park Authority Information

Park Board Agendas, Committees and Other Information of Interesthttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/board/

Listening Forumshttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/listeningforums.htm

Annual Fiscal Reporthttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/CAFR.htm

Park Forms and Applicationshttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/forms/

Park Use Permitshttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/wp-parkusepermit.htm

Park Ruleshttp://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rules/

Park Policy Manual http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parkpolicy/

Looking At The Numbers

As stewards of Fairfax County’s cultural resources, the Park Authority not only protects the many artifacts and historic sites in its collections and portfolio, but also interprets their value as societal icons and an important part of our local history. We tell their story in words and pictures. Recently, two new exhibits added to the community’s understanding of the past.

Dig Into The Past

Fairfax County is rapidly urbanizing. Where red barns and open fields stood in the early 1900s, new housing and commercial development have replaced these scenic tableaus. The community remembers its agrarian past however, and celebrates life in the rural townships of our past. This vision of yesterday is encompassed in the recently opened exhibit, Dig Into The Past.

Generous citizen support brought the vision of this new museum exhibit to life. Just as local residents came together 50 years ago to establish Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, they repeatedly raised their voices in supporting the purchase of the land and buildings that now make up the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center. With this facility the park can now provide indoor meeting and rental space, a historic resource library, indoor interpretive programs and the new museum exhibit, funded by park bonds and the Founders, Benefactors, Supervisors and Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park.

This interactive, multi-media exhibit is designed to orient visitors, new and old, to the rich agricultural history of Fairfax County through the stories of the Floris community and people who lived there. Familiar with the dynamic high tech community that now thrives in Fairfax County, most residents and visitors are unaware of the County’s agrarian roots and are not sure why there’s a working farm in one of the most densely populated areas in the country. Museum visitors can step into the boots of a dairy farming family and learn about their daily routines and challenges, “Milk their Knowledge” with the interactive panels on Sadie the cow, or get a sense of how the community came together to celebrate their work at the county fair each year. These experiences are designed to help visitors build a basic understanding of farming and the surrounding community. It provides a richer, more complete

experience when touring the working farm just up the road.

Frying Pan Farm Park is a rich historic and cultural resource for the entire community. You can find out more about this intriguing site online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/. The site offers a wide variety of activities which engage equestrians, provide entertainment through our concert series, as well as providing interesting programs that teach about farm animals and the importance of agriculture. From wagon rides to blacksmithing, an apple cider machine to new born piglets, Frying Pan Farm Park offers hands on history. And you’ll find lots of fun as well with a country store, an antique carousel and a great playground.

Join the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/friends.htm. Find out about the Farmers Market at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/FarmersMarkets/fryingpanmkt.htm. Find out about scout programs at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/scouts.htm or about the birthing schedule for farm animal babies at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fpp/newarrivals.htm. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon.

New Exhibits Explore Our Historic Past

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Fairfax County’s agrarian past comes to life for visitors at the new exhibit that highlights rural life in the 1900s.

Riverbend Park, A Rare and Rugged Refuge

Tucked away in a remote river setting, Riverbend Park in Great Falls has over 400 acres of forest, meadows, and ponds. Trails include a 2.5 mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail linking national and regional parkland. Kayakers and canoeists can enjoy exploring many islands in the Potomac River. Serious anglers and families can bring a boat or fish from the shady riverbank. It is a jewel in the park system discovered by tens of thousands who come each year to enjoy the spectacular river views, beautiful wildflowers and birds.

From fishing on the river with a guide, to campfires, hiking, picnics and kayaking, Riverbend Park is a destination for those interested in the perfect combination of history, nature and adventure. The park’s recently opened exhibit, A Rare and Rugged Refuge, examines one of the most unique and not often found biological ecosystems on the East Coast, known locally as the Potomac Gorge. This exhibit also explores the lives of the first native people who called the shores of the Potomac River home.

The exhibit highlights the creation of local floodplains, rocky cliffs and narrow valleys carved by the erosive forces of the river. The rocks tell stories of a past when the Earth’s surface was in motion and the continents were on the march. These rocks were folded and bent, and the ancient ocean sediments turned to stone.

The exhibit also features the story of the Paleo Indians who battled cave bears and mastodons becoming skilled big game hunters. You can also explore the lives of native people who lived 12,000 years ago when the climate grew warmer and the large game died out, making way for caribou, elk and deer.

For information about the park visit them online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/. For information about volunteering at Riverbend Park visit online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend/volops.htm. To find out about joining the Friends of Riverbend Park visit www.forb.org/.

New Exhibits Explore Our Historic Past

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Rose Powhatan, an artist, lecturer, and teacher created the totem pole that is a part of the new exhibit and has also created totem poles on display at Jamestown Settlement. She is a member of the Tauxenent and Pamunkey Indian tribes. Both are Virginia tribes, and the Tauxenent people are indigenous to Fairfax County.

Coach Phil Chisholm RememberedThe Dranesville District community remembered Coach Phil Chisholm on June 21, 2010, at Spring Hill Park. He was a longtime coach, manager and board member of McLean Little League and McLean Great Falls Babe Ruth League. Chisholm, who passed away on October 15, 2009, was remembered as an inspiration and mentor to countless individuals.

Throughout his life he loved to teach baseball. He enjoyed the excitement found on the faces of children playing baseball. He cheerfully fulfilled his duties and always greeted people with a smile.

On April 14, 2010, at the request of the McLean Little League Board of Directors, the Park Authority Board unanimously approved the naming of Field #1 at Spring Hill Park in his honor.

Star Spangled Opening at Kings Park ParkThe community turned out to celebrate on the Fourth of July at Kings Park Park. It was time to officially cut the ribbon on a new playground in this 9.2-acre county park. This was a great example of citizens and government coming together to get the job done.

A project team met with representatives of the Kings Park Civic Association to plan improvements on the site and the development of a new playground on land that was once a community swim club facility. The $200,000 project included the construction of a new school age playground, the relocation of two existing swing sets and

an existing piece of tot playground, as well as ADA compliant asphalt trails and parking, the installation of a tennis court practice wall, and additional trail connections.

Bridging The GapIt took several years, but Clarks Branch Bridge now stands as a tribute to tenacity. The opening was held on April 17, 2010, for the 90-foot steel frame bridge in Riverbend Park. The structure replaced steep wooden steps leading to a fair-weather crossing that was often flooded. This completes the section of the Potomac heritage National Scenic Trail between Great Falls National Park and Algonkian Regional Park in Loudoun County.

The bridge is six feet wide and accommodates pedestrians, equestrians, as well as mountain bikers. The total cost for the

bridge was $426,000. The three-year project included $30,000 in funding from the National Park Service for initial hydrology and feasibility studies and another $30,000 for archeological studies. Park bonds funded the design and construction. The bridge is located a mile from the nearest paved road in a forest containing globally rare plant associations and an archaeological site rich in Native American artifacts. Due to the sensitivity of the site, great care was taken to protect the area during construction.

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Capital Projects Meet Community Needs

Katie’s PlaygroundA very special playground opened on May 1, 2010. It is called Katie’s Playground, and is a new place for children and parents to gather in Royal Lake Park. The playground, funded partially through a Mastenbrook grant, and contributions from friends, family, and the community, honors Katherine Rose Thelin, who passed away in the spring of 2008.

The Katie Thelin Children’s Charity works to honor and remember Katie and to do charitable works in her name. The first of those projects was this playground which includes a school-age composite structure and swing set. The playground meets the previously unmet needs of the Kings Park West community, home to more than 1,800 families, many with children. The Fairfax County Park Foundation worked closely with the Thelins to make this playground a reality.

Sportsmanship and Dedication Hallmarks of Fallen Coach

More than 100 friends, family members, players, coaches, and officials turned out to celebrate the designation of the baseball diamond at Lewinsville Park in McLean, VA, as the Mark Bleiweis Memorial Sportsmanship Field. The field naming is the first step in a process that will upgrade this field and provide local teams with a state-of-the-art facility.

Mark Bleiweis was a valued member of the McLean community and a beloved coach who passed away in 2004 of pancreatic cancer. He coached in McLean’s Little League, Babe Ruth, soccer and basketball program since 1998. His passion for youth sports, helping kids appreciate and learn sports, and good sportsmanship gave him joy.

Fund-raising will provide for future amenities including a new scoreboard, new dugouts, new stadium seating, field grading and irrigation improvements, and a tree shaded berm. A tiled tribute wall for donors will be a signature feature of the field.

Pictured from left to right are friends and family, Park Authority Board Chairman Bill Bouie, Senator Mark Warner, Barbara Bleiweis, Park Authority Director John Dargle Jr., Dranesville District Park Authority Board Member Kevin Fay, and players from local Red Sox and Yankee teams.

People, Places, And Fond Memories

Family and officials gathered to commemorate a brief life and celebrate the new playground in Katie’s memory.

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They came together in 1969 to make a difference, and they returned to Scotts Run Nature Preserve 30 years later, to see what a difference they really made.

In the summer of 1969 a small green

rezoning notice was tacked to a stake in the ground near a still pristine tract of land along the Potomac River. The notice alarmed those who lived near what was then called the Burling tract. On September 18, 1969, two dozen neighbors gathered together and decided to form the Georgetown Pike and Potomac River Association. Their primary goal was to preserve the 336-acre Burling tract and to prevent the construction of a 309-unit housing development.

According to The Washington Post, these activists were green before it was trendy. The effort to stop development on this land pitted developers against those who sought to protect the site. Before it was over, members of Congress, Virginia’s governor, local officials, students and ordinary citizens would be involved. Citizens would stand in the way of bulldozers, stopping them in their tracks.

John Adams, president of the Georgetown Pike and Potomac River Association, wrote of the struggle, “…as the swell of public demand grew – supported by favorable press, conservation groups, student protests, housewives confronting bulldozers, financial support from unlikely sources…the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, following the lead of Springfield Supervisor Donald Bowman, finally relented.”

After successive public hearings, the Board of Supervisors authorized a public referendum held on July 14, 1970, that allowed the citizens of the Dranesville District to vote whether to tax themselves for the issuance of $15 million in bonds. The referendum passed and the land became public land on September 5, 1970, for a final purchase price of $3.6 million.

After 30 years, those who saved Scotts Run gathered to reflect on their accomplishments.

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The Burling Property Becomes Scotts Run Nature Preserve

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Scotts Run Nature Preserve is one of only two nature preserves in the Fairfax County Park Authority’s holdings. It is a remarkable place of rare plants and splendid beauty.

A grove of ancient hemlocks, whose ancestors migrated here during the last ice age, stands in the nature preserve as a reminder that this region was once sub-arctic in its climate. A major fault zone cuts right through the park, a relic of a much more distant past some 520 and 570 million years ago when the rocks were created out of slabs of ocean floor pushed up onto this continent.

Visitors have flocked to Scotts Run for years to witness the spring wildflowers that grow there. Trailing arbutus, Virginia bluebells and trillium blooming on the steep hillsides create a small oasis of rare and fragile plants. Remarkable and rare species grow along the precipitous cliffs, in steep valleys and throughout the mature hardwood forest of very large oak and beech trees, ancient hemlock and wild cherry trees that stand as tall as the oaks.

Hiking the trails of Scotts Run can be challenging, requiring a hardier constitution than possibly any other park in Fairfax County. There are two entrances into the valley park, one along the stream and the other leading to the bluffs above the river. Some trails are gentle and wind quietly through the forest. Other trails require hiking up and down very steep hills and cliffs.

The trails down the bluffs to the Potomac River are sheer in many places, and visitors must very carefully pick their way down the rocky cliffs. This ruggedness is part of the charm of Scotts Run, creating almost a paradox between the rugged terrain and the fragile beauty of the blankets of wildflowers.

The beautiful creek that spills over the waterfall right before it enters the Potomac River actually starts near Tyson’s Corner, which sits atop a very large ancient gravel deposit that is the highest spot in Fairfax County. Flowing east, it ends its journey at the waterfall.

Together Government, Schools, and Parks Create A Remarkable TransitionIf ever there was a field in need of improvement, the field at Bailey’s Elementary School in the Mason District fit the bill. The dirt covered field was worn out and overused until a cooperative project emerged that changed everything. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Park Authority Board, and the Fairfax County School Board cooperatively converted the field to synthetic turf. Another successful partnership in play.

Total project costs, funded in part through the 2006 Park Bond, were $800,000. The Park Authority assumed responsibility for the planning and design phases of the project which provided a 180-foot by 340-foot field with a bump-out area and backstop. Public schools were responsible for the construction phase management. The community and local teams love it!

Even inclement weather could not keep celebrants away from the ribbon cutting.

Before After

Springfield District ConvertsField # 5 at Greenbriar Park was transformed by its conversion to synthetic turf. This $900,000 project includes an oversized field funded through the 2008 Park Bond program. This multi-use field now is utilized for soccer, men’s and women’s lacrosse, football, and field hockey.

For the Love of the Game....Lee District Gains New GroundLee District Park now features synthetic turf, a terrific improvement for teams throughout the community who play on Field #4. The field surfacing and lighting project cost $1.2 million, a tally well below preliminary estimates. State-of-the-art facilities help ease the county’s field shortage.

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Rolling, Rolling, Rolling

State-of-the-art lighting drew officials and team representatives to Rolling Valley West Park for the chance to flip the switch! The new system replaced a high-pressure, sodium field lighting system installed in 1981. The poles were old enough to topple in a strong wind! In fact, when one pole came down during a winter squall, the Park Authority demolished the existing system and a new $500,000 system was installed.

It Takes Two….Working in partnership has its benefits, especially when the result is a state of the art synthetic turf field. Linway Terrace Park Field #1 now boasts synthetic turf as a result of a partnership between McLean Youth Soccer, and the Board of Supervisors’ Mini-grant program administered by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services. Through innovative partnerships, the Park Authority and the Athletic Council are addressing the need for rectangular fields.

Pine Ridge Improvements Make a World of DifferenceNo question about it, the new synthetic turf field and lighting system are helping athletes at Pine Ridge Park excel in their team and individual athletic efforts. This partnership project created one large, adult field and smaller areas to be utilized as micro soccer fields. Total costs were $2.2 million.

Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, Chairman Sharon Bulova, and Park Authority Board member Harold Pyon officially turn on the new lights.

A joint effort among MYS, the Athletic Council, the Board of Supervisors, and the Park Authority Board resulted in a new turf field.

Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross joins Chairman Sharon Bulova, Park Authority Board member Frank Vajda, and community members in ribbon cutting ceremonies at Pine Ridge.

Synthetic Turf, Lighting, Improves Fields

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center is one of several places where residents can visit and learn about the natural world and how it impacts them. An old Greek

proverb notes, “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they shall never sit in.”

Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Fairfax County’s first nature center, celebrated its 40th anniversary Saturday, October 17, 2009. Staff worked tirelessly to provide a wide array of activities to mark the

occasion. Guests had the chance to see live animal presentations, to hear music and to take an Enchanted Woodland trail walk featuring costumed woodland characters. For four decades this nature center

has been a place of discovery and engagement, of stewardship and pleasure.

The celebration

continued with a presentation by Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross who honored community groups and scouts whose contributions to the nature center have benefited the entire community. Supervisor Gross was joined by other local officials and friends of the center including Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Sharon Bulova. The program reminds us all of the importance of stewardship and how everything we do has an impact - negative or positive on the natural world and the health of our planet.

“The Annandale area has changed from suburban to urban over the last 40 years. Our visitor base has changed too,” remarked Hidden Oaks Manager Michael McDonnell. “We see diversity as well as a growing interest in environmental stewardship. With over 30,000 visitor contacts a year, we’re proud to be part of the fabric of this community. We often have grandparents bringing their grandchildren in to see the animals, just like they brought their own sons and daughters.”

Hidden Oaks’ Past Revealed

Hidden Oaks Manager Michael McDonnell and invited guests pose with the anniversary cake. Hidden Oaks is the Park Authority’s oldest nature center.

Guests met a red-tailed hawk

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Lake Accotink at 50The land that is now Lake Accotink Park has seen many changes since its days as the site of Civil War skirmishes. On April 24, 2010, crowds gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of this iconic park. The park’s 493 acres include a 55-acre lake, wetlands and streams offering unique views of waterfowl and marsh life.

Lake Accotink Park is rich in heritage and has played an important role in local history. The park access road follows the former Orange and Alexandria Railroad line. The original trestle, built in 1851, was burned by confederate soldiers under the command of JEB Stuart in 1862. In

1918, the Army Corps of Engineers built Springfield Dam over Accotink Creek. The reservoir, now Lake Accotink, supplied water to Fort Belvoir for many years. This first dam was replaced in 1943 by the dam that exists today. After leasing the land around Lake Accotink from the federal government for five years and opening the lake to boating, picnicking, and concessions, the Park Authority purchased the land in 1976 at a reduced rate under the Land to Parks program.

Last year the park found another asset within its midst: people power embodied in the creation of the Friends of Lake Accotink Park!

A hand-crafted quilt of pictures commemorates the park’s 50th Anniversary.

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There is little question that volunteers are the power that drives the Park Authority. The countless hours they dedicate, the talent and energy these individuals bring to our park system are all part and parcel of this agency’s ongoing path of success. We could not do what we do without the tens of thousands of volunteer service hours contributed annually.

Each year, the Park Authority Board and the Fairfax County Park Foundation attempt to say thank to those many volunteers who are selected by their peers as Outstanding Volunteers, Elly Doyle Park Service Award honorees, recipients of the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award, or generous donors earning the Eakin Philanthropy Award. These individuals are feted at the annual awards program.

In 2009 the awards event went on safari as volunteers go wild for parks

2009 Elly Doyle Park Service Award Recipients: Kathi McNeil, Jack Pitzer, Southwestern Youth Association.

Elly Doyle Special Recognition: Eleanor Anderson, Tim Beron, Tim Dokken, Ray and Patty Hubbard, Vivian Morgan-Mendez, Merle and Beth Swival, Richard Thorpe, and Serena Wilson.

Student Honoree: David Gawalt

Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient: Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA-11)

Eakin Philanthropy Award Recipients: Robert and Paola Pizzano

Honoring Those Who Volunteer, Give

Congressman Gerry Connolly receives the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award from Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross.

Kathi McNeil

David Gawalt and Hidden Pond Nature Center volunteers

Jack Pitzer Gary Flather, SYA rep.

Harry Glasgow The Parkettes Andrew Acosta jams with Mahala

Robert and Paola Pizzano, The Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund

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Our 2010 Elly Doyle program proclaimed proudly that Volunteers ROCK! Elvis was in the house!

2010 Elly Doyle Park Service Award Recipients: Frank Crandall, Ben and Margaret Peck, Norma Hoffman

Elly Doyle Special Recognition: Marilyn Schroeder, Coletta Hein, and Greg Sykes

Student Honoree: Beverly Dobrenz

Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award Recipient: Jean R. Packard

Eakin Philanthropy Award Recipients: The Thelin Foundation, Claude Moore Foundation

Honoring the Thelin Foundation Bobbi Longworth and Lynn Tadlock

Frank Crandall and Harry Glasgow

Jed Duvall as Elvis

The Parkettes live! Bobby socks and saddles!

Norma Hoffman is honored

Ben and Margaret Peck

Congressman Connolly and Jean Packard

Elly Doyle Park Service Awards

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The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars and fees to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services.

Contributions to the Park Foundation will enrich the quality of life for all who live, work, and play in Fairfax County by helping to fund important enhancements.

Some examples include:• Arts in the Parks, a free, family alternative to indoor activities. Children are introduced to live, quality entertainment all summer long in an outdoor setting. More than $25,000 was raised for programs in 2009 and 2010 thanks to donors including Signature Sponsor, PNC Bank.

• Bright Futures Rec-PAC summer camp scholarships funded by Aronson & Company and other donors are awarded to children eligible for free and reduced-price lunch. Many have parents who are employed, but without the camps, these kids would be unsupervised throughout the summer. Class scholarships are also available thanks to generous donations made to the Park Foundation.

• The Summer Entertainment Series sponsorships from corporations such as Transurban, underwrite concerts throughout Fairfax County in each supervisory district.

• The Trail Building Fund helps to construct and maintain park trails and bridges including the development of the celebrated Cross County Trail.

• The Open Space Land Preservation Fund gives citizens the means to take direct, personal action to conserve the county’s shrinking open space. Land improves air quality, buffers noise, reduces storm water runoff and provides wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities

In 2009 the Park Foundation created the Eakin Philanthropy Award named for the family who donated 14 acres of land in the Accotink Stream Valley that became Fairfax County Park Authority’s first park. The inaugural award was presented to Paola and Robert Pizzano of the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund for building the fully accessible 7,000 square foot, zero-water-depth Our Special Harbor sprayground at Lee District Park.

In 2010 Joseph Thelin and Tara Mooney were recognized as individual philanthropists who raised $22,080 from 210 donors to create Katie’s Playground in memory of their daughter at Royal Lake Park.

The Claude Moore Charitable Foundation was the outstanding organization that contributed $117,500 in support of Clemyjontri Park, Rec-PAC scholarships, and summer camp scholarships for children living in homeless shelters.

Donations to the Park Foundation are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law and are an investment in Fairfax County’s quality of life that will pay dividends forever!

Contact the Park Foundation by calling 703-324-8581 or visit them online at www.FairfaxParkFoundation.org.

Generous Spirits

Roberta Longworth,Executive Director

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Opportunities to volunteer are as varied and diverse as the parks. With nearly 23,000 acres of parkland, the Park Authority offers a tremendous choice of activities and locations – most in need of volunteer service. Have you ever considered helping to care for a local ballfield, feeding animals at a working farm or helping grow annuals at a horticulture center?

Maybe you would be the perfect person to help the Park Operations Division. They are always in search of park monitors, groups willing to Adopt-a-field or Adopt-a-Park, or those interested in helping to develop trails. You can contact them at 703-324-8594.

Volunteers work at RECenters as well. There are nine RECenters throughout Fairfax County. You can share the gift of health and fitness by becoming an exercise buddy, managing golf play, and helping out at the front desk, or helping children with disabilities master aquatic safety and swimming skills. Contact the Park Services Division at 703-324-8680.

For many volunteers working in the Resource Management Division is the right fit. Consider discovering your heritage and help others learn about the past by assisting with archaeological digs, guiding tours of historic sites, cultivating park gardens or leading nature programs at a riverside park or nature center. Contact the Resource Management Division at 703-324-8750.

Volunteers Connect Parks and the Community!

Civic-minded youngsters pitch in during the Hutchison School Site Cleanup

Volunteers take care of animals and lead educational programs at Frying Pan Farm Park.

A volunteer repaints an antique carousel horse at Lake Accotink Park.

Volunteers plant a garden at Lee District RECenter.

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Frying Pan Farm Park Equestrian Facilities

After many years of planning and great anticipation, local equestrians now have state-of-the-art facilities at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon. The multi-million dollar facilities open the door for greater activities at this site and another generation of dedicated equestrians.

The 2004 Park Bond program included funding for construction of the new horse stables. The Park Authority Board approved the project scope for the improvements in the fall of 2007. The facility was opened on May 2010. The improvements include a 90-stall horse stable, a 60-stall horse stable, manure shed, gravel parking area for horse trailers, a warm-up riding ring, and also demolition of four existing stables. Construction costs were $3 million. Total project costs were $3.4 million.

The old barns were over 40 years old, built on a slope, and often flooded. This facility has opened to rave reviews!

Turner Farm Park

On the other side of town, a second equestrian facility came to life. A new riding ring and associated equestrian improvements were completed at Turner Farm Park in Great Falls. The project was completed by Fairfax County Park Authority staff. The in-house work crew was working hard to keep costs at a minimum and maximize the scope of the project. Without the dedication of the Mobile Crew, Park Operations, and Planning and Development Division staff members working hand-in-hand with the community and Friends of Turner Farm, this project might not have been completed.

The project was funded using Park Authority capital improvement dollars approved by voters in 2004, as well as a $10,000 contribution from the Friends of Turner Farm. Improvements include an oversized outdoor fenced area, a small pony pen, new trails from the improved parking area, landscaping, and low impact development storm water management facilities.

The Turner Farm Park is a 52-acre facility on the site of a former dairy farm. The land was saved from development by a public/private partnership started in 1994 to “Save-the-Farm.”

Horse Sense

New stables replaced the old barns that were often flooded.

The Park Operations Division worked tirelessly to complete the rings at Turner Farm when funding ran low.

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On November 13, 2010, a large crowd gathered to mark the official opening of Arrowbrook Park in Herndon. Ultimately totaling 23-acres, the park, which is part of the planned Arrowbrook Centre and proffered to the Park Authority in 2005, was designed with the community in mind. Rather than simply divesting surplus land after construction, the developer, AMC, planned Arrowbrook Park to be the focal point of the new mixed-use development.

The park is an integral feature of the development plan. It provides not only a respite of open space adjacent to an urban setting, but an array of active recreational facilities serving both future residents and surrounding neighborhoods. The centerpiece of Arrowbrook Park is a state-of-the-art, lighted, synthetic-turfed athletic field. The park also includes a creative playground, two lighted tennis courts, a basketball court, a field-side picnic pavilion, along with the Park Authority’s first bocce ball court.

This property was originally known as Arrowbrook Farm. The original property owners were Hal and Ruth Launders who purchased the land shortly after World War II. The couple raised cattle and were active in the community for more than half a century. Their community spirit continues to impact the area positively through The Hal and Ruth Launders Charitable Trust. The Launders Pavilion is named in their honor.

This unique partnership serves as a model for future development.

Parkland and Development In Harmony

Arrowbrook Park is a prime example of the value of partnerships, good planning, and a dedication to excellence.

A new synthetic turf field beckons.

It’s time to play.A bocce ball court stands ready.Architectural details stand out.

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Bringing The Threads of Community Together

Ossian Hall Park, a 22-acre community park across from Annandale High School in the Braddock District, has been transformed. No longer is the park a place where residents are afraid to venture after dark. The change is remarkable but neighbors still recall the days when they were hesitant to visit the park which had outdated playground equipment, view-obscuring woods and inaccessible trails. After two significant construction phases, the approval an updated master plan and the addition of new recreational amenities, the park is now a welcoming and attractive neighborhood gathering spot.

Park improvements include a community plaza named for longtime Park Authority Board Member Winnie Shapiro. Multi-cultural performances are a hallmark in this new performance space. The Annandale High School Marching Band and Korean Pure Sound drummers performed at the opening ceremony held on November 20, 2010.

The park, located on Heritage Drive, also features new playgrounds, two multi-use courts, a synthetic turf field, attractive stone retaining walls,

and accessbile trails through a wooded area. Braddock District Supervisor John Cook noted at the opening ceremony that the park was once, “…a crime and gang-ridden area where parents did not want to bring their children,” adding, “People did not feel safe here.

With the new renovations completed, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova described the park as a “beautiful gathering place for the community.” The National Association of Counties recognized the park’s Explore the World performance series with a 2010 Arts and Culture Award.

Ossian Hall Park Transformed

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Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova

Annandale High School Marching AtomsKorean Pure Sound Drummers

Braddock District Supervisor John Cook

Nicholas Fitzhugh, a nephew of William of Chatham, built Ossian Hall in 1780, one of three large homes erected on Ravensworth plantation. Dr. David Stuart purchased Ossian Hall and 831 acres of land in 1804. Dr. Stuart’s wife, Eleanor Calvert Custis, was the widow of Martha Washington’s son, John, and the Stuarts frequently visited Mount Vernon. Washington

appointed Stuart as a commissioner of Washington, D.C., when the city was established in 1791.

In 1918, Joseph L. Bristow, former U.S. Senator from Kansas (1909-1915), purchased Ossian Hall and several hundred acres and lived there until his death in 1944. Ossian Hall was abandoned, although various proposals floated to make the area and home into a state park or to create residential developments.In 1959, upon the request of developers, the Annandale Fire Department burned the mansion in a controlled training exercise.

Source: “Ossian Hall.” Braddock Heritage

Ossian Hall Park Continued

The new synthetic turf field draws players and those who love to watch as well.

The park is just three-quarters of a mile from the site of Ossian Hall, a historic home that was burned in 1959 as a training exercise for the Annandale Fire Department.

New playground features lure children toward safe fun. Ossian Hall now welcomes neighbors.

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Photograph from Fairfax County Public Library, Virginia Room, Photographic Archive

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Fairfax County has agrarian roots that run deep and continue to thrive through horticultural programs that bring fresh, local produce to Farmers

Markets, support the local Master Gardener program, educate the public and provide garden plots for residents wishing to cultivate their own parcel of land. The mature and ever-growing program continues to flourish.

Farmers Markets are popular with thousands of Fairfax County residents who wish to buy locally produced food for their families. The markets have a long, rich history with the county. The Fairfax County office of the Virginia Cooperative Extension started the first market in 1978. One dozen weekly markets at locations across Fairfax County now provide area residents the opportunity to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, eggs, dairy products, meats, honey, cut flowers and container plants. This ability to “buy local” supports sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. As a “producers only” market program, all vendors and products come from within a 125 mile radius of Fairfax County.

The Fairfax County Farmers Market accepts the following products for sale: fruit, jellies, jams, cider, applesauce, fruit butters, vegetables, micro-greens , beef, pork, bison, turkey, chicken, eggs, meat products i.e. sausage, brats, baked goods, honey, bee pollen products, beeswax candles, dairy products, cheese, butter, cheese spreads, ice cream, sorbet, potted plants, cut flowers, dried flower arrangements herbs, teas, dry rubs, soups, soup mixes, salsa, pestos and pasta.

Current revenues from the 2011 Farmers Markets

were $50,900. There are 166 vendors at markets in Annandale, Burke, Fairfax, Frying Pan in Herndon, Lorton, Kingstowne, McLean, Mt. Vernon, Oak Marr, Reston and Wakefield.

While the Farmers Markets are supervised by the Community Horticulture Office, based at Green Spring Gardens, most patrons do not realize that the daily operations of the Markets are the responsibility of volunteer Market Masters. These volunteers are essential to the development and promotion of the Markets. As liaisons between all of the participants in the Market program, they provide valuable advice to the Community Horticulture Office on ways to develop and improve the program. Their varied backgrounds bring a unique style to the individual markets.

Currently there are 393 subscribers to the Farmers Market E-News. For information about our markets online visit at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/farmersmarkets.

Horticulture in Fairfax County: Fresh, Vibrant, and Growing

The Lorton Farmers Market, located adjacent to the VRE station, is the newest market in the system and opened on May 31, 2009.

Visit the Horticultural Library at Green Spring Gardens

Green Spring Gardens’ library is home to an informative and timely collection of over 3,000 volumes related to horticulture. The library enhances the education and curatorial programs of the gardens and is open

to all visitors. The library is generously supported by the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS). Located in the Horticulture Center, the library is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, noon to 4:30 p.m. The staff librarian is on duty Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Green Spring Master Gardener volunteers are usually available to assist visitors in using

the library. In order to maintain and preserve library materials, the library is non-circulating.

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Horticulture in Fairfax County: Fresh, Vibrant, and Growing

The Master Gardener Program

Green Spring Gardens established a Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program in 2001. The site’s horticultural resources and its mission to advance the awareness and practice of responsible horticulture make it an ideal location to host a VCE Master Gardener Volunteer Program.

The VCE Master Gardener Program began in 1972 when Washington State Cooperative Extension trained interested volunteers to serve as a community resource for reliable horticulture information. Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Programs are now active in 48 states and provide an invaluable service to their communities.

To become a Green Spring Master Gardener Volunteer requires a commitment of 100 hours in the first year. This time commitment is divided between 50 hours of specialized training in environmental horticulture and 50 hours of internship volunteering in approved horticulture education projects in the community.

After the first year, VCE Master Gardener status is maintained by remaining active in the program as a volunteer educator for 20 hours per year and participating in eight hours of continuing education in horticulture.

The Green Spring VCE Master Gardener Volunteer training is held each fall beginning in September and ending in late November. The training generally requires two three-hour classes per week and two Saturday classes.

For more information visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/gsgp/mastergardener.htm.

Community Garden Plots

The Fairfax County Park Authority provides Fairfax County residents the opportunity to participate in a positive community gardening experience through the Community Garden Plot program. There are 676 garden plots in nine parks rented on an annual basis. Most plots are 30’x20’; 18 plots at Grist Mill Park are 10’x20’. Large plots rent for $65 and smaller plots rent for $60.

Participants often plant flowers, grow fruits and vegetables for food and get healthful exercise as they work the garden plot. Garden plots are to be maintained with planting, harvesting and weeding from May 1 until November 15. Inspections will be conducted to ensure compliance.

Wait lists for Franconia Park in Springfield, Lewinsville Park in McLean and Bo White Gardens located in Pine Ridge Park in Annandale are now open. All other garden plot locations are closed to new sign ups due to the length of the wait list. There are 415 names on our wait lists to date.

In 2010, Park Authority staff members worked closely to accomplish important tasks such as:• Revised Rules and Guidelines became effective January 1, 2010• 35 plots were reclaimed in 2010• Gleaning programs were underway at two parks, with one at Bo White Gardens and a second, The Gardeners’ Share at Lewinsville Park. This program continues to expand. In 2010, 8,000 pounds of food was provided to charitable organizations.

Key issues were explored including:• Abandoned plots• Trees and encroaching growth• Clean-up days• Youth volunteers

Program created 10 years ago

137 volunteers5,745 service hours

provided in 20106627 citizen contacts

Washington-Rochambeau Panels Unveiled

A four-panel interpretive display commemorating the Washington Rochambeau armies’ passage through Fairfax County and encampment at Colchester was dedicated on November 13, 2010.

On August 14, 1781, at White Plains, New York, General George Washington and French General le Comte de Rochambeau conceived a plan to surprise British General Cornwallis and his army at Yorktown, Virginia, and turn the course of the war. Their combined Continental and French forces would march the 450 miles southward to Yorktown and lay siege to the unprepared British army.

The combined forces began their journey. Portions of the army camped at Colchester. Troops crossed the Occoquan at the Colchester Ferry and the generals stopped briefly at Mount Vernon.

At Yorktown on September 28, the reunited forces joined the army of the Marquis de Lafayette to defeat the British forces and effectively win the Revolutionary War. The display describes the transits of the armies. The project was conceived by the Lorton Heritage Society; designed pro bono by Jerry Lyons of Lyonshare Studios, LLC and funded by the Park Authority.

Historically Speaking: Armies on the March

Re-enactors from The First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line lend authenticity to the day’s ceremonies.

The community turned out in force to admire the new display and thank those who contributed to the project’s success.

This informative display sheds light on the park’s American history and the significant events tied to our nation’s birth that happened in our backyard.

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Today, communication is a two-way street. Finding out about Park Authority meetings, events and programs is important to the community and, likewise, understanding the sentiments and concerns of residents plays a vital role in the decision-making process of the Park Authority Board. Constituents can now join us in the realm of social media, online with Parkmail or at our bi-monthly Listening Forums!

Park Authority Adds Facebook to Communication Tools

Individuals who have Facebook accounts can now access information about Fairfax County Park Authority events, programs and services at http://www.facebook.com/fairfaxcountyparks. This new tool provides another means of communication for the many people who already access information about area parks and park programs through Parktakes magazine and online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes to register for programs. Residents can also find information through press releases, flyers and information phone lines.

Do you have a wonderful idea you want to share with the Park Authority Board? Is there a tree down across a trail or graffiti on a wall? Perhaps you want to share your position about a recent public meeting or a proposed master plan. The best way to reach out to the Park Authority Board is through Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. This online tool allows us to capture your sentiments and opinions and make certain that decision makers know exactly how you feel.

Other times a face-to-face conversation may do the trick. Every other month, Park Authority Director John Dargle Jr. and Park Board members hold a Listening Forum. These informal gatherings are held in different magisterial districts throughout Fairfax County and provide residents with a direct opportunity to tell the director exactly what’s on their mind. A complete listing of past Listening Forum comments and topics can be found online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/listeningforums.htm.

The Park Authority website offers content on a tremendous number of park-related topics. You can sign up for camps and classes, find our calendar or the Park Board agenda, discover information about natural and cultural resources, or see if a picnic shelter is available. Discover your parks, online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/

For a list of phone contacts, visit us online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/wp-fcpahq.htm. For more information, contact the Fairfax County Park Authority Public Information Office at 703-324-8677 or at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Talking The Talk

Director John Dargle, Jr. hosts Listening Forums every other month to hear from county residents.

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A Stitch in Time Helps Build The Fabric of the Community

The Fairfax County Park Authority has been in the park business for over 60 years. The Park Authority is a diverse community fabric composed of many social threads for residents of all ages to participate in many activities, facilities, and programs. The agency has been blessed with dedicated employees, tremendous resources, citizens that care about their park system and a belief that parks and recreation programs are vital to the quality of life that we experience in Fairfax County. This is all possible with the support that we receive from the community, Park Authority Board, Board of Supervisors and county administration.

On behalf of the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Park Authority Board, please accept this biennial report highlighting your 2009 and 2010 Park Authority’s accomplishments.

Parks Make Life Better

Just as many of you are, Fairfax County Park Authority is coping with the tough economy. Our agency has taken budget cuts, along with other departments in the county. We are struggling not to reduce services at parks, RECenters, trails, nature centers, and playing fields. We have relied more heavily on partnerships with other organizations. We also understand additional budget cuts are possible. The irony is that during a tough economy, more people use public recreation programs and facilities because we offer free and inexpensive opportunities for fun, fitness, and appreciation of nature. The Park Authority strengthens our community’s fabric, health and well-being, economic base and security. Our parks are a vital part of the health and social fabric of the community.

Investing in the Fabric of a Community

Looking ahead, while the rapidly changing national and local economic climates are certainly poised to make things very challenging over the next several years, it is our collective promise to do our very best in providing excellent services and assuring efficient and effective stewardship of our public resources. As with the entire county, we remain focused on commitment, caring and collaboration in all that we do for our residents.

Passion for Parks

We want to thank the thousands of you who help Parks connect to and integrate into the overall fabric of our community as volunteers in programs and facilities. You make a real difference in how much we can do. We want to thank our professional staff for their devotion and passion to serving Fairfax County.

John Dargle Jr., Director

From the Director

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If accomodations or alternate formats are needed, please call 703-324-8563, TTY 703-803-3354. www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/ada.htm

This document can be accessed online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/fabric. Limited print editions are available by contacting the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or via e-mail at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Park Authority • 12055 Government Center Parkway • Suite 927 • Fairfax • Virginia • 22035-5500 www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

A Fairfax County, Va., publicationJanuary 2012

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