Rallying For A Cause — Reston Tennis’ annual Rally For a Cause Tournament Sept. 21 raised $3,700 for Cornerstones and the USTA Foundation.
Take Metro To The Playoffs — American University and Metro have teamed up get Washington Nationals fans to and from postseason games at Nationals Park. Nationals fans will have access to special late-night train service, as needed, following postseason games Sunday through Thursday nights that are still in play as of 10:30 p.m. In the event of a rain delay or extra innings, provisions are in place to extend service as late as 1:20 a.m., if necessary. [WMATA]
Tickets For Halloween Trail Wednesday — Tickets go on sale on Wednesday, Oct. 1 for Reston Association’s Halloween House and Trick & Treat Trail. This popular children’s event on Oct. 24 and 25 sells out quickly. Tickets are $10. [Reston Association]
Photo: Players at Reston Tennis’ Rally for a Cause/Credit: Sean Bahrami via RA Facebook
Reston Association is currently in the process of reimagining the Pony Barn Recreation Area.
The association has allocated $30,000 from the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget for upgrades or changes to the space at Steeplechase and Triple Crown in South Reston.
The space currently features a 2,006-foot pavilion with tables, grilling areas, a lawn and a swing set.
The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) has approached RA about using the space for a memorial garden of reflection.
Reston has no cemeteries, and the memorial garden will not fill that role, IPAR has said. Rather, it envisions the garden as a place to reflect about lost loved ones.
However, many of the comments from community members have said it is a poor place for such a garden, citing, traffic, parking, noise from the Deepwoods Pool, among other reasons.
At Thursday’s monthly RA Board meeting, the board heard from several residents who said, among other reasons, that the memorial garden is a sacred space that does not belong on public land.
“RA just needs to say no,” said Vic Moravitz, whose home is near the Pony Barn space. “There should be more memorial gardens but not on common grounds.”
Moravitz called for the separation of “statecraft and soulcraft” in considering the placement of the memorial garden.
The 343 Lake Anne homes that are bound by the Reston deed to use RELAC, the aging air-conditioning system, will get another chance at a member referendum early next year.
The Reston Association Board voted at its Thursday meeting to accept the petition of RELAC users who say they want a referendum on the issue and go forward with a referendum on the matter.
RELAC users are bound by the Reston deed to use the system, which was deemed as state-of-the-art and extra quiet when installed in the mid-1960s. RELAC uses water from Lake Anne to cool the air. However, these days it is viewed by many current users as outdated and inefficient.
The referendum would need two-thirds of RELAC townhouse users to vote in favor in order to pass. A 2008 referendum was defeated 130-100.
The petition was signed by 121 residents, many of whom have been working on getting a release from RELAC since last winter.
Current RELAC users are allowed to petition for a medical exemption (for example, if they have bad allergies). The medical exemption was the subject of its own debate among RA’s Board and RELAC users earlier this year.
Homeowners who have been granted the exemption say they have spent $4,000-6,000 on new HVAC systems — which must be disconnected when they sell the home.
The RA Board says it will formulate the referendum question this week. There will be a public hearing on Oct. 6, and the RA Board will have additional public hearings during their meetings on Oct. 23 and Nov. 20.
Ballots will be mailed in early January, with a Jan. 30 voting deadline.
Photo: Lake Anne/File photo
Traffic. Parking woes. Drinking. A direct disregard for the principles of Reston and infringing on green space.
Those were some of the comments from residents of Reston clusters close to Cabots Point Recreation Area at Reston Association’s regular board meeting on Thursday night. Nearly two dozen residents of South Bay, Cedar Cove and Cabots Point spoke to or sent in comments to the board in opposition of the bocce court that the RA Board approved last winter.
The plan calls for a 60-x-12 foot court, with the projected $2,500 cost to be paid for by Friends of Reston. The court would be built in the open lawn area of the park, which is used for a variety of activities such as soccer, lacrosse, baseball and simple running around. The remainder of the park contains benches and playground equipment.
In July, RA CEO Cate Fulkerson proposed taking bocce off the table and starting over because “proper notification and opportunity for public input or a hearing was not made regarding the proposed project and change in use of the recreation area.”
But after explanation from South Lakes Director Richard Chew that proper procedures were followed, Fulkerson’s proposal was voted to be taken off the agenda prior to the July 31 RA meeting.
The residents of the nearby clusters are not at all pleased with Chew, who lives in Cedar Cove. Many speakers at the meeting say the director reached out to one of the clusters but not the other, and that the project was pushed forward without the clusters’ knowledge.
“I object to this project for many reasons, including that the approval processes were blatantly ignored,” said Chuck Cascio, a longtime South Bay resident. “This was an appallingly self-centered breach of trust.” Read More
Reston Association will hold another community meeting on Monday, Sept. 22 to further discuss the future of the Pony Barn Picnic Pavilion.
Have some thoughts on the park? Attend the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at RA Headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
RA has formed a working group to look into redeveloping or renovating the Pony Barn area at Triple Crown and Steeplechase in South Reston. It has received lots of feedback from the community. To see the full record of community comments, visit RA’s website.
The association has allocated $30,000 from the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget for upgrades or changes. The space currently features a 2,006-foot pavilion with tables, grilling areas, a lawn and a swing set, as well as parking for 11 cars.
The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) has approached RA about using the space for a memorial garden. Reston has no cemeteries, and the memorial garden will not fill that role, IPAR has said. Rather, it envisions the garden as a place to reflect about lost loved ones.
However, many of the comments from community members have said it is a poor place for such a garden, citing, traffic, parking, noise from the Deepwoods Pool, among other reasons.
More:
Thoughts from Reston Association members on what to do with the Pony Barn Pavilion range from building an archery range to keeping it as is to opposition to a proposed memorial garden.
Through last week, RA has heard from 66 members — both in person at meetings and through its website — about the future of the RA-owned park area.
Reston Association has formed a working group to discuss what should be done to the area at Steeplechase and Triple Crown.
The association has allocated $30,000 from the 2014 Capital Improvement Budget for upgrades or changes. The space currently features a 2,006-foot pavilion with tables, grilling areas, a lawn and a swing set.
The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR) has approached RA about using the space for a memorial garden. Reston has no cemeteries, and the memorial garden will not fill that role, IPAR has said. Rather, it envisions the garden as a place to reflect about lost loved ones.
However, many of the comments from community members have said it is a poor place for such a garden, citing, traffic, parking, noise from the Deepwoods Pool, among other reasons.
There was a Pony Barn working group meeting on Aug. 18, and there will be another one on Monday, Sept. 22, 6:30 p.m. at RA Headquarters, 12001 Sunrise Valley Dr.
Meanwhile, RA has been soliciting input from members on the subject. Below are some of their thoughts. For the full record of comments, visit RA’s website.
… I would hate to see this meant to be used as something specific. There is a lot of casual use here. This facility doesn’t look as attractive as some others in Reston. I think we should see this improved upon and made better rather than replaced.
… My family loves to go out “impromptu”, cook something on a grill and eat outdoors about once a week during the summer. This is one of the sites closer to our home. We’d hate to lose the grill and table. On the other hand, the location seems out of the way for a memorial garden, whatever that might mean (I think you could explain a little more here).
If the winter of 2014-15 is at all like last winter, Reston residents will be shoveling lots of snow.
Reston Association is taking steps now to ensure that it is a community effort with results that enable residents get where they need to go.
While RA plows its 55 miles of paths, it does not shovel sidewalks unless they are on RA property. This led to complaints from RA members last winter as students walked to school in the street rather than on shoveled sidewalks and an explanation from RA’s attorney that RA cannot shovel spots it does not own because of liability issues.
In February, the RA Board authorized staff and legal counsel to discuss with Fairfax County officials whether RA could plow county-owned pathways in Reston. The board also tasked several RA committees with developing a community-wide snow removal mobilization.
RA has since drafted an agreement with the county that would grant RA the legal right to work on paths crucial to access to the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station. RA would be permitted to plow or provide other minor maintenance such as pruning or pothole repair. RA would not be responsible for major repair or capital replacement.
RA is also seeking a permit from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to remove snow from VDOT sidewalks adjacent to RA property.
VDOT is responsible for plowing most public streets in Reston. It does not, however, shovel sidewalks, leading to a bit of a game of hot potato when it comes to shoveling. Some community members pitched in to shovel sidewalks near their subdivisions last winter, but it was far from 100-percent participation.
“Recognizing VDOT does not provide any snow removal on its sidewalks, if RA removes snow from VDOT sidewalks adjacent to RA property, but other adjoining property owners (individuals, clusters, condos) do not, there will be a very obvious discontinuation of cleared sidewalks at many locations throughout Reston,” RA documents state. Read More
A herd of hired goats won’t be working for Reston Association any time soon.
The RA Board voted at its planning meeting on Monday not to explore the option of using goats for invasive plant removal.
Hunters Woods/Dogwood Director Lucinda Shannon approached RA CEO Cate Fulkerson and RA Environmental Resources Manager Claudia Thompson-Deahl earlier this summer, pointing out that Tree Pittsburgh, an environmental nonprofit, recently used goats from Eco-Goats, a company in Maryland, to restore vegetation on a hill in the city.
Goats were also used last year to manage invasive plants at Congressional Cemetery in D.C.
For other projects, Eco-Goats trucked in several dozen goats to the site. A temporary fence was installed, and goats grazed for a few days on the offending plants. Meanwhile, goat droppings make great fertilizer for the return of the native plants, Eco-Goats said. It is not known what the goats would have cost RA, as the board did not get that far in exploring the idea.
Goats are able to eat plants that are poisonous to other animals and their mouth structure destroys the seeds of the invasives.
Invasive plants such as Purple Loosestrife, Winged Burning Bush and English Ivy, among others — are an issue on both Reston Association and privately owned land in Reston. They damage the native plants and affect wildlife.
Meanwhile, the Reston deed prohibits livestock so that would have been an obstacle for the RA board.
Photo: Eco-Goats goats get to work/Credit: Eco-Goats
The Reston Association Board of Directors will consider a proposal to look at using goats to manage invasive plant species in Reston.
Hunters Woods/Dogwood Director Lucinda Shannon approached RA CEO Cate Fulkerson and RA Environmental Resources Manager Claudia Thompson-Deahl earlier this summer, pointing out that Tree Pittsburgh, an environmental nonprofit, recently used goats from Eco-Goats, a company in Maryland, to restore vegetation on a hill in the city.
Goats were also used last year to manage invasive plants at Congressional Cemetery in D.C.
Here is how it works: Eco-Goats trucks in several dozen goats to the site. A temporary fence is installed, and goats graze for a few days on the offending plants. Meanwhile, goat droppings make great fertilizer for the return of the native plants, Eco-Goats says.
Goats are able to eat plants that are poisonous to other animals and their mouth structure destroys the seeds of the invasives.
Invasive plants such as Purple Loosestrife, Winged Burning Bush and English Ivy, among others — are an issue on both Reston Association and privately owned land in Reston. They damage the native plants and affect wildlife.
The RA board will talk about the goat idea at its planning meeting this week.
Meanwhile, there is an item in the Reston deed that prohibits livestock, but the board and the Design Review Board may be able to get around it with the idea that the goats will be temporary.
Photo: Eco-Goats goats get to work/Credit: Eco-Goats
Reston Association’s pools turn to the late-summer schedule beginning Monday.
These pools are now closed for the season: Autumnwood, Golf Course Island, Hunters Woods, Newbridge, Shadowood, Tall Oaks and Uplands.
Still open: Dogwood, Glade, Lake Audubon (weekends only), Lake Newport, Lake Thoreau, Ridge Heights, North Shore and North Hills. For exact hours, visit RA’s website.
After Labor, Day only heated pools at Ridge Heights and North Shore will be open. The two will remain on a shortened schedule (3 p.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends) through Sept. 28.
Photo: Hunters Woods Pool/File photo
Reston Association has decided to continue with its proposal to construct a bocce ball court at a pocket park off of South Lakes Drive. But Several Cabots Point-area residents are still unhappy with that decision and have pasted signs on benches at the tot lot near where the court will eventually be located.
The bocce court was first approved by the board last December, with the projected $2,500 cost to be paid for by Friends of Reston.
The signs at the park call out RA’s process, as well as the loss of open park space.
Reads the sign: “Say NO to Proposed Reston Association Bocce Ball Courts! Richard Chew, a board member of the Reston Association, has proposed taking up a large portion of this Cabots Point Park where our children have played for many years with two adult bocce ball courts. This is one of the smallest children’s parks owned by RA. If you don’t believe this is an appropriate use of this park’s space, let RA know.”
The sign encourages residents to contact RA CEO Cate Fulkerson with their concerns.
Several concerned residents previously contacted Fulkerson, mostly regarding what they say was a lack notice prior to voting for the amenity.
That lead Fulkerson to propose two weeks ago to take bocce off the table and start over. Fulkerson said at the time several RA members who live near Cabots Point contacted RA “concerned that proper notification and opportunity for public input or a hearing was not made regarding the proposed project and change in use of the recreation area.”
Fulkerson’s proposal was voted to be taken off the agenda prior to the meeting, after Chew pointed out that proper procedures were followed and he received positive feedback from neighbors.
“In general, the plan was met with great enthusiasm,” Chew said at the July 31 meeting. “The bocce court was explained and discussed. No one expressed any concern.”
South Bay resident Bill Parker says the first he heard about the plan was in June. He said a mailing by RA to residents of nearby clusters never got to homeowners.
“It’s really not about bocce,” says Parker. “It is about the process [RA] used to make this happen. There is no documentation of any discussions. [Chew] talked to people at the park, not people who live in South Bay cluster. I don’t care if it is a flea circus or a ferris wheel. The problem is they didn’t tell anyone this was going to happen.”
Parker does have some thoughts on bocce, too.
“This park is not very big,” he said. “The bocce court will be 13-by-60 feet, and that does not include benches and trash cans. There may be a second court eventually and then this is a bocce park.”
A woman playing with two young boys at the park on Thursday morning said building a bocce court does not matter to her.
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” she said after reading the bench sign. “Kids will just run through the court [like they do through the field] when no one is playing ball.”
RA does vow to provide better notification in the future. Earlier this summer, the RA board established a new development review process that formalizes community engagement procedures.
“As Reston continues to grow and develop, Reston Association believes it is imperative to involve the community in decisions which directly impact neighborhoods, clusters and Reston residents,” said RA spokeswomen Kirsten Carr.
“With the passing of Land Use Resolution 1; Procedures for Comment on Development/Redevelopment Projects in Reston (passed in June of this year) and the establishment of the Reston Development/Redevelopment Plan Review Process, a precedent and a process has been set to involve the affected community members early in the process. The recent meeting at the Pony Barn Recreation Area to discuss plans for its future is a prime example of that process in action.”
The preschool event of the summer took place last week as Reston Association opened the gates of its Central Services Facility to show off all kinds of service vehicles.
Kids climbed aboard a fire truck, an ambulance, construction vehicles, among others, at the annual event.
Photos by William O’Brien for Reston Association.
The Reston Association Board of Directors decided on Thursday to keep the plan for adding a bocce court at Cabots Point, despite resident pressure to reconsider.
The board voted in December to authorize construction of the lawn bowling court at the area off of South Lakes Drive. The $2,500 cost would be paid for by Friends of Reston, said South Lakes Director Richard Chew, who proposed the amenity.
The design plan was approved by RA’s Design Review Board in June and $1,700 has already been donated to the project, RA documents show.
But the board has recently heard from several Cabots Point residents who were concerned that the new recreational amenity would bring unwanted traffic and noise to the neighborhood off South Lakes Drive.
That led to RA CEO Cate Fulkerson’s proposal to take the plan off the table and come up with an alternate plan that may or may not include bocce for Cabots Point. That proposal was on Thursday night’s RA meeting agenda, but was voted to be thrown out.
Fulkerson had said several RA members who live near Cabots Point have contacted RA “concerned that proper notification and opportunity for public input or a hearing was not made regarding the proposed project and change in use of the recreation area.”
Construction will not begin until funds are in place and final design work has been approved, said Fulkerson.
Photo: Bocce/file photo
The fourth annual Reston Kids Triathlon took place on Sunday in and around Langston Middle School and the Ridge Heights Pool.
Young athletes from ages 6 to 14 swam, biked and ran various distances depending on age group. Full results can be found here.
Proceeds benefit programs at Reston Association and the YMCA Fairfax County Reston.
Photos courtesy of Reston Association, Ken Knueven and the Reston Kids Triathlon
The Reston Association Board of Directors on Thursday selected Dannielle LaRosa to fill the remained of the North Point Director term.
The seat became vacant when North Point Director Tim Cohn resigned in May for personal reasons.
LaRose will represent North Point until the next RA election in Spring 2015. An election for a new North Point director will then be held to finish the rest of Cohn’s term, which expires in Spring 2016.
Under RA rules, the board can interview and select a replacement when a director leaves before a term is finished.
LaRosa is a financial analyst who said she will bring a critical eye to RA expenses, reserves and revenue generation. She is also a mother of four whose children have taken part in a wide variety of RA activities and camps over the years.
Other candidates were IT business owner Walter Constantine; Former Fairfax County Planning Commission member Walter Alcorn; and retired attorney and 40-year Reston resident Mike Shaw.
