Jeremy Smith, Herndon, trains for the Turkey Trot at the Herndon Community Center. Parks and Recreation will be holding two forums next month to find out what changes residents want for the center and other services. Photo by Reena Singh.
Herndon Parks and Recreation Department wants to know what residents want changed at the community center.
With the changing demographics in town, the department hopes to find out what services are needed in the next 10 years through upcoming forums.
“It’s all about making sure we’re going in the right direction and on the same page, because that’s our job,” said Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Roeder.
The town is expecting the younger population to grow in the next three to five years as young couples start their families. In addition, the older population may see an increase in population, Roeder said.
The first forum will discuss programs and services held by P&R and will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 19. The second will discuss the Herndon Community Center and its services from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 20. They both will be held at the community center, located at 814 Ferndale Avenue.
The forums will be hosted by a professional moderator so participants feel comfortable talking about what they like - or do not like - about the community center and other P&R services. Free babysitting will be provided for children older than 12 months.
The department hopes for 12 to 18 people to show up for both of the forums. Several people have already reserved a spot, according to Marketing Specialist Abby Kimble.
“Herndon is a very active community,” said Roeder. “People willingly volunteer their time and ideas and share them with the community.”
Even when Kimble was walking around the community center later that day, people who she spoke to about the forum sung praises of the center.
“I really love the community center,” Herndon resident Jeremy Smith said after a run on one of the treadmills. “We’re here all the time.”
The idea for a forum started last fall when the P&R Department released a citizen and user survey. Many of those who replied to it said they would want to participate in a forum about the changes they want to see in the community center.
The part of those changes will be what the department is calling Phase Five, a 10,000 to 12,000 square foot second story addition to the community center. In the past, the department has talked about putting the fitness equipment up there, but wanted to know if there should be more specialty programs geared towards younger children or the aging population.
“We want to hear from people what their needs are, what their family’s needs are,” said Kimble.
To RSVP for the forums or to get more information, email rsvp.pr@herndon-va.gov or call 703-787-7300.