McLean — McLean resident Richard "Rip" Sullivan has been named the Dranesville representative for the park authority board, replacing Kevin Fay, who stepped down in July.
"Rip has a great track record of dedicated and effective public service in our community," said Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville), who appointed Sullivan. "This experience will prove invaluable as he works with the community and me on issues already underway in this district, as well as new park initiatives."
Sullivan, who practices commercial litigation in Virginia and Washington, D.C., has served as chair of the McLean Community Foundation, the Dranesville Budget Task Force, Fairfax Transportation Advisory Commission, Fairfax Consumer Protection Commission and as vice chair of the Fairfax County Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Due to his appointment to the park authority board, Sullivan says he will leave the Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
"Leaving the Housing and Redevelopment Authority is the bitter part of this bittersweet decision," Sullivan said. "But I know the parks are a key part of what makes this county great, and looking ahead, I’m excited to be a part of planning for their future."
The Dranesville District has several parks that are currently undergoing a master planning process. Salona, McLean Central Park and Langley Fork Park are currently in the middle of a revision process for their master plans.
Salona also has a task force, which last met in May, and is discussing various features that could be included on the 51-acre parcel.
"Kevin did a masterful job during his time on the board, and I’m not kidding myself, I knew there will be a steep learning curve for me," Sullivan said. "That being said, I’m ready to dive right in and start looking at the issues. One of my goals as a member of the board is to be as accessible as possible to the residents of the district and the other interested parties."
Sullivan said his primary goal is to help preserve the current park spaces in a region that is seeing increasing development.
"Preserving open space in our rapidly urbanizing area is very important to me," he said. "Our parks currently meet a wide variety of recreational needs, which is a characteristic we want to maintain."
The Fairfax County Park Authority Board consists of 12 members appointed by the Board of Supervisors, one from each district and three at-large members.