parks | FFXnow - Part 15

Morning Notes

Published August 1, 2022 at 7:30AM

Why did the geese cross the park trail? (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Person Hospitalized After Vienna Shooting — “Officers are in the 8400 blk of Wesleyan St in Vienna for a shooting. Prelim info, a man shot a roommate inside the home. Victim taken to hospital w/non-life-threatening inj. Suspect is in custody.” [FCPD/Twitter]

Report: Police Declare Personnel Emergency — “Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis and senior staff declared a personnel emergency Thursday, according to a police source, which means mandatory overtime for police officers as FCPD grapples with an ongoing police officer shortage.” [ABC7]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 29, 2022 at 7:30AM

A family hits the mini golf course at Jefferson District Park in Idylwood (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Metro Promises Relief for Train Riders Next Month — Starting Monday (Aug. 1), the addition of more rail cars will speed up service on the Orange, Blue and Silver lines to every 15 minutes on weekdays instead of the current wait times, which can reach up to 20 minutes. Metro says it anticipates expanding those service adjustments to weekends in September. [WMATA]

Man to Plead Guilty to Herndon Murder — A Virginia man told a Fairfax County judge he wants to plead guilty to the 1987 killing of 37-year-old Eige Sober-Adler in Herndon after being indicted in the case in January. Charles Helem is already serving life in prison for strangling and killing his ex-girlfriend, Patricia Bentley, in Chantilly in 2002. [WTOP]

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published July 21, 2022 at 7:30AM

A popsicle melts at Capital One Center's The Perch in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Dog Dies in Newington Townhouse Fire — Unattended cooking started a fire at a townhouse in the 6700 block of Red Bird Woods Court last Friday (July 15) that displaced one resident and caused approximately $93,750 in damages. County firefighters found a dog while searching the property that was given medical care but didn’t survive. [FCFRD]

Fairfax Nonprofit Helps Rescued Beagles — The Fairfax-based animal rescue group Homeward Trails is one of several shelters across the country helping the Humane Society find homes for beagles rescued from a Cumberland breeding facility. The nonprofit will place 1,500 of the dogs and has already received almost 1,000 adoption applications. [Washingtonian]

News

Herndon could limit park program fee waivers to town residents

By Fatimah Waseem

Published July 8, 2022 at 1:30PM

Town of Herndon government offices (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Since 1991, people outside the Town of Herndon have been able to take advantage of its parks and recreation scholarship program, which awards fee waivers to participants enrolled in federally-funded, low-income programs.

A proposal before the Herndon Town Council aims to restrict eligibility for that program to town residents. If adopted by the council, the move would align with neighboring jurisdictions that offer fee waivers to residents only.

News

Construction begins on North Hill Park along Richmond Highway

By Matt Blitz

Published July 6, 2022 at 3:00PM

North Hill Park in Groveton (via Fairfax County Park Authority)

Construction has finally started on North Hill Park in Groveton, near the intersection of Richmond Highway and Popkins Lane.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s $1.5 million project will create a new public park with trails, a pavilion, pickleball courts, a half-sized basketball court, fitness areas, picnic tables, benches, and an open lawn area.

Countywide

Fourth of July 2022: What’s open and closed in Fairfax County for the holiday

By Brandi Bottalico

Published July 1, 2022 at 11:45AM

Closed sign (via Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)

While it won’t be quiet around Fairfax County on Monday with Fourth of July celebrations, many government offices and facilities will be closed.

Government offices, and some businesses, are closed for the Independence Day holiday. Public transportation schedules may be lighter and public services, like trash collection, may be changed. See our listing below to get details on what will be open and closed.

News

Riverbend Park celebrates opening of $1.3 million maintenance shop

By Fatimah Waseem

Published June 30, 2022 at 11:00AM

The new maintenance facility is funded by 2012 park bonds (Photo via Fairfax County Government).

Riverbend Park in Great Falls debuted a new $1.3 million maintenance shop this week.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and other stakeholders celebrated the opening of the facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday (June 28).

Countywide

Morning Notes

By FFXnow.com

Published June 29, 2022 at 7:30AM | Updated June 29, 2022 at 11:23AM

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) Kitten Rescued in Groveton — Fairfax County firefighters from the Woodlawn station were dispatched to the 7000 block of Richmond Highway on Monday (June 27) after bystanders reported a stray kitten that got stuck in the engine compartment of their coworker’s SUV. First responders were able to “extriCATe the kitten without injury or damage to vehicle,” and a coworker of the original caller agreed to adopt the kitten. [FCFRD/Facebook]

(Correction: This article initially said the kitten was adopted by a firefighter, based on the department’s tweet about the incident.)

Countywide

Planning Commission OKs plans to convert Lorton landfill into park

By Fatimah Waseem

Published June 21, 2022 at 11:45AM

Preliminary plans call for a park at the site of the Lorton landfill (via Fairfax County)

The Fairfax County Planning Commission has given the green light to preliminary plans to convert the closed Lorton Landfill into a public park.

Dubbed Overlook Ridge Park, the park would house the highest point in Fairfax County, hiking trails, picnic areas, an amphitheater, bathrooms and bird sanctuaries.

Countywide

Juneteenth 2022: What’s open and closed in Fairfax County for the holiday

By Brandi Bottalico

Published June 16, 2022 at 3:45PM | Updated June 16, 2022 at 5:33PM

Closed sign (via Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)

(Updated at 5:30 p.m.) Juneteenth will be celebrated across Fairfax County and the nation Sunday and Monday this year.

Last year, President Joe Biden signed into law Juneteenth, June 19, as a federal holiday. This year, the holiday will be observed on Monday (June 20).