Newcomers & Community Guide 2019-2020 Springfield Days’ Card- board Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park. Photo contributed Photo Local Media Connection LLC online at www.connectionnewspapers.com New Movement & Acting Classes! Ages 4 - 12 Now Registering for Fall www.actheatre.com 2 ❖ Springfield Connection ❖ Newcomers & Community Guide 2019-20 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Newcomers Photo contributed Photo Peterson’s Ice Cream in Historic Town of Clifton. Photo contributed Photo Exciting New Developments From nationally ranked parks, fine Springfield Town Center restaurants, and shopping there is A Diverse and something for everyone in Springfield. By Pat Herrity improvements that will help to get you Supervisor - home to your families. Springfield Welcoming Community District Top Ten ginia Railway Express (VRE). You may also Exciting projects want to try using one of the many Metro pringfield Dis- My top 10 favorite places in the Dis- bus routes that serve our area, in addition Strict encom- trict (it’s hard to pick just 10): taking place to riding the Metro. passes every- thing from the his- 1. Burke Lake Park was named across Lee District. THERE ARE SOME WONDERFUL toric town of Clifton, to the bustling “Best Public Park” by NoVA magazine in PLACES to visit in Lee District. If you’re in shops of Fair Oaks Mall, to miles of trails 2018 and is the most visited park in By Jeffrey C. at beautiful Burke Lake Park. Our district Fairfax County’s Park system. The park the mood for shopping, don’t miss the McKay offers a variety of attractions for the contains a trail that goes around the lake Springfield Town Center. The Springfield Supervisor - Lee whole family throughout the year. From and is great for walking (with or with- Town Center is on Franconia Road, just a District our nationally ranked parks, fine restau- out your dog), running and cycling. short distance from the Franconia-Spring- rants, and shopping there is something American Hiking Society has named field Metro Station. It’s got loads of great for everyone in Springfield. these trails in the top ten in the nation. elcome to restaurants and retail and it hosts a farmer’s There are some exciting new develop- There is also fishing, boat rentals, camp- W Lee Dis- market on Saturday mornings. There is ments in Springfield District. One major ing, disc golf, mini golf, an 18-hole golf trict! I’m so something for everyone to enjoy (young or project is the renovation of the Old Keene course, a newly renovated driving range, glad you’ve decided to old) including places like Dave and Bust- Mill Shopping Center. The shopping volleyball courts, a miniature carousel, check out all the wonderful things that ers. I’d also suggest checking out the Hill- center’s owner, Federal Realty Investment and miniature train. My favorite event make this district the best part of Fairfax top Village Center, home to Wegmans and Trust, is giving the entire shopping cen- at the park is the Springfield Nights Con- County. I might be a little biased having many different restaurants. This is located ter a face-lift through renovations includ- cert Series that runs from July through lived in this neck of the woods my entire right off Beulah Street, across from Fort ing a double-sided outdoor fireplace and August sponsored by my office and the life. Belvoir. a communal village design, with new Park Foundation. With free music by Here in Lee District, we have a wonder- Once you’ve had your fill of shopping and storefronts and signs, wider sidewalks, nationally and internationally recog- ful blend of history, modern amenities, and entertainment, head over to Huntley Mead- as well as new landscaping and pavilions. nized bands, beautiful scenery, and the some amazing plans in the works, which ows Park, often called the crown jewel of I recently attended the opening of an best of local food vendors from Two Si- will continue to enhance the quality of life the Fairfax County Park System. Huntley interactive art exhibit at the shopping los Brewery and Peterson’s Ice Cream, of an already excellent, all-encompassing Meadows Park is more than 1,500 acres center sponsored by ARTSFAIRFAX. This these are a great way to spend your sum- community. I am proud of our area’s heri- with majestic forests, wildflower-filled project is expected to be complete by mer nights. (7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Sta- tage, and we work hard to preserve our meadows, and wetlands bursting with life. Thanksgiving 2019. tion). community’s neighborly, small-town atmo- Take a walk on the wetland’s award-win- There are also a number of critical 2. Fair Oaks Mall, one of the sphere while continuing to bring modern ning boardwalk — and experience some of transportation improvements in the pipe- region’s largest shopping destinations in and urban conveniences to all community the best wildlife watching in the Washing- line for Springfield District – Rolling Road Fairfax, features a collection of 200 members via retail, transportation, and en- ton metropolitan area. You’ll see beavers, from Old Keene Mill Road to the Park- shops, services, and dining establish- tertainment. I’m happy to say we are a very frogs, dragonflies, and herons. Huntley way will be widened to 4 lanes with trail ments in an enclosed, two-story retail diverse and welcoming community. Meadows is well known as a prime birding improvements; the Fairfax County Park- center. The mall offers one of the most Our district is a vibrant mix of neighbor- spot, with over 200 species identified in the way will be widened from four lanes to diverse and compelling retail and din- hoods, small family businesses, convenient park. six lanes from Popes Head Road to Route ing collections under one roof and is the shopping centers, parks and recreation cen- You can also head over to Lee District 29 and the interchange at Popes Head perfect destination on a sweltering or ters, and boasts excellent schools. We are Park. Here we have the Lee District will be grade-separated (no traffic light); rainy weekend afternoon. (11750 Fair neighbors to the Fort Belvoir community, RECenter and two unique features — an Route 29 will be widened from 4 to 6 Oaks Mall, Fairfax). which not only serves our military residents, accessible treehouse and Our Special Har- lanes from Buckley’s Gate to Union Mill 3. The Children’s Science Center but offers friendly amenities to everyone in bor accessible spray park. The complex fea- Road; Route 28 will be widened from the Lab in Fair Oaks Mall is a fantastic mu- our community. tures Chesapeake Bay-themed attractions Route 29 interchange to Bull Run and a seum that allows children (and their Additionally, we have many transporta- including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie new interchange is being constructed at parents) to get hands on experience with tion options to help keep cars off the roads. the sea serpent, misting sunflowers, and a I-66. There will be new HOT lanes on I- STEM concepts (Science, Technology, If you are looking for an alternative to driv- lighthouse. The beach area is quieter with 66 and many other minor transportation See Development, Page 8 ing, consider hopping on the Metro at the softer bubblers and interactive water tables. Franconia-Springfield Station or the Vir- See District, Page 4 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Springfield Connection ❖ Newcomers & Community Guide 2019-20 ❖ 3 Newcomers Photos contributed Photos The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) building in Springfield (currently under construction). Springfield Days’ Cardboard Boat Regatta at Lake Accotink Park. A Diverse and Welcoming Community From Page 3 The computerized water maze and dump- Lee District Top 10 ing crab basket provide more lively activ- Places and Events ity. In addition to the spray park, the family recreation area has a fully accessible (In no particular order) treehouse and a playground for children of all abilities from ages 5 to 12. During the 1. The Annual Springfield Bridgewalk summer, you can also stop by Lee District 2. Lee District Nights Concert Series Park’s Amphitheater to enjoy live music and 3. Fort Belvoir 4. Springfield Town Center bands every Wednesday night as part of Park 5. Huntley Meadows Park Authority’s Lee Summer Entertainment 6. Huntley House Concert Series. 7. Lee District Park/Waterpark In keeping with our park theme, be sure 8. Springfield Days 9. Lake Accotink to visit Lake Accotink Park and its 493 acres 10. Franconia Museum including a 55-acre lake, wetlands, and streams with splendid views of waterfowl ing retail and entertainment options along and marsh life.º the highway. As part of Embark, we will also Now that you’ve relaxed with nature and see the implementation of a state-of-the-art parks, it’s time to experience some history. Historic Huntley House. Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT). Just a short walk from the main entrance Additionally, many bus stop sites along to Huntley Meadows Park, you’ll find His- While there is already so much to do and year and what will be the second-largest Route One have been substantially com- toric Huntley, the house that was built for experience in Lee District, I believe that office building in the County is expected to pleted as part of the Richmond Highway Bus Thomson Francis Mason. Thomson Francis there is always work to do. That is what we open next year as well. Stop Improvement project. These improve- Mason was the mayor of Alexandria, D.C. strive for here in Lee District, to keep mov- ments include the installation of bus shel- from 1827-30 and a grandson of George ing the needle forward and continuing to THE REVITALIZATION in our district ters, benches, bike racks, and sidewalks.