Countywide

Fairfax County has updated its Chesapeake Bay Preservation Ordinance to reinforce requirements for developers along the Potomac River and its tributaries to protect older trees and guard against rising sea levels.

However, even as they voted unanimously yesterday (Tuesday) to amend regulations related to the ordinance, Fairfax County supervisors expressed some frustration with a lack of clarity in the guidance handed down by Virginia’s State Water Control Board (SWCB).


News

Mount Vernon Woods Park is getting an arena for skateboarding.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will discuss and present the design concept for the proposed skate park at a virtual meeting this Thursday (Sept. 26) at 7 p.m.


Countywide

Fairfax County will review its property deeds to remove clauses that historically barred non-Caucasian individuals from owning or leasing property in specific neighborhoods.

In response to new research revealing the prevalence of racially restrictive covenants in Northern Virginia property deeds, the Board of Supervisors, led by Dan Storck and Rodney Lusk, unanimously approved a board matter yesterday (Tuesday) to allocate resources for eliminating any segregation-era language from county-owned property deeds and assisting private property owners in doing the same.


News

Residents of the Hybla Valley and Mount Vernon neighborhoods will have a chance to explore new research revealing the history and impact of racially restrictive deed covenants in their communities.

Later this month, Krystyn Moon, a professor of History and American Studies at the University of Mary Washington, will explain how certain racial, national, and religious groups were historically barred from buying homes in subdivisions along the Richmond Highway corridor, due to explicit restrictions written into property deeds.


News

Dean Norton, Mount Vernon’s Director of Horticulture and Livestock, will retire at the end of the year after an “extraordinary” 55-year career, the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association announced this week.

Upon his retirement, Norton will receive the honorific title of Director of Horticulture and Livestock Emeritus, in recognition of his service to George Washington’s Mount Vernon and the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association. The association is also compiling an oral history which will become part of its permanent archives.


Around Town

Lake Fairfax Park isn’t the only spot in Fairfax County planning an early Fourth of July party this year.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Independence Day celebration in Reston will compete tomorrow (Saturday) with festivities in McLean, Lorton and Mount Vernon, where George Washington’s estate will kick off two days of fireworks tonight (Friday).


Around Town

Burlington is set to open its doors in Mount Vernon this weekend, offering the first 100 customers a $10 discount on their first purchase.

Formerly known as Burlington Coat Factory, the discount retailer will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 28, at 7690B Richmond Highway in the Mount Vernon Plaza outdoor shopping center to celebrate its new store’s grand opening.


News

Following the spring discovery of two 200-year-old bottles of plump cherries at Mount Vernon, archeologists have now unearthed another 35 glass bottles containing more berries from the 18th century.

Of the 35 bottles recently discovered in five storage bins in the mansion cellar, 29 are intact and contain perfectly preserved cherries and berries, likely gooseberries or currants, Mount Vernon said in a news release.


News

Work is about to begin on some brand-new recreational facilities at Mount Vernon Woods Park.

The contractor DeBorn Construction is set to begin active construction Monday (June 10) on a first phase of renovations at the neighborhood park. Depending on the weather, this phase is expected to finish early next year, according to the Fairfax County Park Authority.


View More Stories