Approved Materials - Reston Community Center
Approved Materials - Reston Community Center
Approved Materials - Reston Community Center
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March 25, 2013 Long Range Planning Committee Meeting Report<br />
Public Comment:<br />
Bart Astor, member of <strong>Reston</strong> Association Fiscal Committee, said that the committee is anxious to<br />
partner with RCC. The committee thinks there are overlapping expertise and interests and he hopes RA<br />
and RCC can work in unison.<br />
Jeannie Crowley, <strong>Reston</strong> resident, indicated that she is standing up for her two dogs. She believes it’s<br />
important to bring them to the Baron Cameron dog park on a daily basis. Her comments received<br />
applause and standing up support from a total of 33 attendees.<br />
After the meeting, Jeannie provided the Board with the following comments, presented in their entirety:<br />
I am writing to represent the Baron Cameron dog park. I avail myself of the dog park every weekday<br />
morning before work. It is a vital part of my dog care, as I live in a condo townhouse with a very small<br />
yard. I am in good company, too. The park is frequented by hundreds every day, from my observations.<br />
I was jogging by in the rain on Sun., Mar. 17, and despite the weather, many dogs were exercising in the<br />
park. Please take this into consideration when you are reviewing any new development proposals.<br />
Linda Flickinger, <strong>Reston</strong> resident, is concerned with the loss of open space and she feels as though<br />
the open space will be diminished. She stated that open space is difficult to replace. Her comments<br />
received applause from a total of 42 attendees that support open space.<br />
Chip George, board member for the Newport Shores Cluster Association and <strong>Reston</strong> resident, said<br />
that he is a resident of 1431 Waterfront Rd. in <strong>Reston</strong>. He stated that his house is one of seven homes<br />
that would have this facility in his backyard. He reminded everyone of the attempt to build a facility at<br />
Brown’s Chapel Park several years ago, during which his community was vocal against the loss of green<br />
space, proximity to residential neighborhoods and Lake Newport, and the negative affect it would have on<br />
property values. He stated that he has not seen a site layout for this proposal. He anticipates being<br />
against this proposal too, particularly if the trees, open space and the dog park will go away.<br />
Leila responded that RCC does not have a site layout yet because they wanted to hear community input<br />
before proceeding with a plan and that there is no contemplation of those park features being lost.<br />
Chip continued and said that on a personal note, he has school-age children. He referenced a white<br />
paper from Dick Rogers which suggested that <strong>Reston</strong> is about to explode in population, the schools are<br />
overcrowded, and will need the Baron Cameron Park space for a new school. He agrees with this paper<br />
and said that he thinks the Park Authority should give the property back to Fairfax County for school use.<br />
Chip is also concerned with residents of Small Tax District 5 paying for a new recreation center. He said<br />
that if there’s that much extra money from taxes, we should get rid of the tax. His comments received<br />
applause/standing support from a total of 30 attendees that oppose the new rec center being paid for by<br />
Small Tax District 5.<br />
Leila asked if those 30 were opposed to a new facility in general. There was general discussion and<br />
many attendees voiced a substantial level of concern about unknown changes to Baron Cameron Park,<br />
what the costs would be and who would pay for it. Leila responded that we cannot put a plan together<br />
until we hear input from the community.<br />
Rachel Kranz, <strong>Reston</strong> resident, said that she moved here three years ago and have been thoroughly<br />
pleased with the space that is offered to the many apartment residents. She said she came from a house<br />
where her parents owned five acres and she enjoyed playing outside. She said this community continues<br />
to take away land space for kids, grownups and dogs to play, because “they” want to see what<br />
opportunities bigger facilities could provide. She thinks the opportunities are already there for people to<br />
utilize and they do so every single day. She indicated that building something so big would be an<br />
“eyesore” since you can see it from the road. She asked the group if they wanted to play next to a giant<br />
rec center or play next to fields upon fields upon fields She reiterated her support for open space and<br />
the outdoors. As has been said before, she said open space is something that can be destroyed easily<br />
and is difficult to get back. In the end, she believes that the open space means more to the people of<br />
<strong>Reston</strong> than another big facility that residents have to pay for.<br />
Beverly Larison, <strong>Reston</strong> resident, is a current RCC aquatics patron and indicated that she loves<br />
<strong>Reston</strong>. She loves open space. She love dogs and owns dogs. But she would also love an indoor<br />
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