The Town of Herndon offers residents and visitors a mix of today's fast-paced society with a small-town historic atmosphere that promotes community involvement.
"It's always been a tightly networked community," said Connie Hutchinson, president of the Board of the Herndon/Dulles Visitor's Center. "[It's] that history and definition that we've maintained, that most separates the town from others."
Hutchinson was born and raised in Herndon, and although she left for a while, she said she returned because of the "hometown" atmosphere.
Janet Proctor, a Herndon resident of five years, said Herndon is where she wants to be at this point in her life.
"This is the nicest little town," said Proctor, a native of upstate New York. "The town itself is so nostalgic."
Proctor, 80, said she moved to the Harbor House, an independent senior living facility in Herndon, because her health has declined in the last few years and her son, who lives with his family in Reston, wanted her closer to him.
"The people here are so warm, so nice," said Proctor, who works as docent for the town's Visitor's Center. "And I'll tell you what, they really look after their seniors."
Proctor said since she has lived in the town she has met many people and been able to participate in numerous activities.
"There's something in this town for everyone," she said, "no matter what, there's always something to do."
AND THERE ALWAYS seems to be something going on, whether it be the expansion of the downtown area, or summer concerts on the Town Green.
Hutchinson named a few ways to get involved in the town's events, including attending the free summer concerts Thursday and Friday nights, visiting the museum attached to Visitor's Center, taking the various classes offered by the community center and enrolling children in sports programs through the Optimist Club and the Herndon Youth Soccer league.
Although Hutchinson is happy to see more people joining the community, she said in the last 10 years the town has seen an increase in developers interested in the town.
"The biggest issue is trying to make sure we don't get too dense or too overcrowded," she said. "It's very tempting to mow down a street of older houses and put up higher density [housing] ... that happens to any city as you approach build out. We just have to do it very, very carefully."
Town Mayor Michael O'Reilly said this increase in residential developments has been an issue with the six-member Town Council, who is trying to expand parking and businesses while maintaining the historic downtown feel.
"We've been looking at developing the core of downtown," said O'Reilly. "We're trying to develop a structured parking facility that will fit with the town's style."
O'REILLY NAMED a few other projects and issues facing the council, they include:
* The completion of a nature center at Runnymede Park in the next two years to be "used for a number of community events and classes, and educate the community more about the environment."
* The completion, in the next six months, of the senior center located next to the Harbor House, that will offer programs for seniors around the county and include a restaurant at the facility and buses to shuttle seniors to various events.
* A new street, Fortnightly Boulevard, named because it runs into the Fortnightly Library, will be created with the development of the senior center and connect to downtown. High-end townhouses will line the new road.
* The structured parking facility to make parking downtown easier, while maintaining the historic atmosphere.
* The creation of an art center that will host numerous activities and events for the visual and performing arts, along with art classes. The center will also house a large meeting space that will be available for weddings or catered events.
* The golf course recently underwent $250,000 worth of expansions and remodeling.
O'REILLY SAID that the council is excited for the new additions to the town, but that they are also concerned with community issues that go beyond expansion of businesses.
"While we're participating in a lot of good and fun and planned activities," he said, "we're not neglecting our core purpose: to protect the neighborhood and ensure a safe place for everyone to live."
With recent gang violence making the news around Fairfax County, and specifically parts of Herndon, O'Reilly said they have increased police patrols in problem areas. The town has also worked with the county to create a gang task force comprised of police from all over Fairfax, while also working to combat day-labor issues that have been concerning residents.
He said they are also creating programs to keep youths busy and away from gang activities and to educate them about gangs.
"Regionally it's unbelievable the amount of information to be shared to combat the gang activity," he said, adding he hopes during the two-year term a difference can be made.