Park Authority Approves
$1.8 Million for Clemyjontri Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority on Jan. 16 approved $1,888,200 to fund the first phase of development for Clemyjontri Park in McLean. The measure now goes forward to the Planning Commission for a “2232” public hearing on March 14.
As part of the agreement under which McLean resident Adele Lebowitz donated land at Georgetown Pike and Dolley Madison Boulevard for the park, development for construction of a handicap-accessible playground and carousel pavilion had to begin by March 1.
But because the park was donated after a 1998 p bond was approved by voters, there was no dedicated funding for the Clemyjontri Park.
The $1.8 million was drawn from park bond contingency funds for 15 other projects, according to a park board agenda. Other sources, such as grants and fundraising by the Fairfax County Park Foundation, are also being pursued.
In the first phase of development, the staff will plan and build the accessible playground, a 28-foot carousel with shelter, asphalt drive and trails, parking and road improvements, fence, and transitional screening.
The park staff is working with Lebowitz to design a fence for the park.
A 2232 hearing is required by the Planning Commission when private land is converted for public use.
Analemma Society Sponsors Lecture
“The Dance of the Planets,” a talk about how to identify planets, how they move in the sky, and how models of the solar system have changed over time, will be presented at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28, at Herndon High School, 700 Bennett Street, just off Dranesville Road in Herndon.
Mary Blessing, director of the planetarium, will be the presenter. She will also describe the Feb. 20 lunar occultation of Mars, and an upcoming five-planet alignment in May. The program, sponsored by the Analemma Society, is designed for adults and children in fourth grade and up. The program is free, but reservations are required. Call 703-207-2272.
Winter Citrus Sale Planned
The Great Falls Lions Club will have their second winter citrus sale at the Great Falls Volunteer Fire Department parking lot beginning on Thursday, Feb. 28, and continuing through Saturday, Mar. 2. Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The group’s last citrus sale, held in December, was a sellout.
The Lions will sell temple oranges, Valencia oranges, ruby, pink or white grapefruit, and Georgia pecans. Prices are $10 or $11 for a half box or $19 or $20 for a box (4/5 bushel). A plain box of mixed citrus is $15, and pecans are $6 per pound.
<sh>Planning for Great Falls Day
<bt>A planning meeting was scheduled Feb. 20 for Great Falls Day, to be held on April 20 with the theme “Great Falls Takes Pride in its Past and Present.” Events are planned at Grange Park, Grange Hall and the Old Schoolhouse, the Great Falls Library, Colvin Run Mill Historic Site, and Village Centre.
Fairfax County’s Showmobile will be set up at the Grange Park to provide a stage. A small children’s merry-go-round will also be set up there. A tent will be provided by Great Falls Friends to be used for children’s activities, and historical characters from Great Falls will “talk” to children. The Girls Scouts will re-enact a typical school day at the Old Schoolhouse, and an historical exhibit will be displayed in the Grange Hall. Antique cars and a fire truck will be exhibited outside.