ZUMBA instructor Stephanie Baker leads a group exercise at the Herndon Community Center during the Nov. 8 open house. Herndon Community Center offers a number of different health and fitness classes as well as an indoor pool. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
Herndon Community Center hosted an open house Saturday, Nov. 8. Both the community center and Herndon Parks and Recreation Department welcomed everyone to celebrate the 35th anniversary of Herndon Community Center. “The Herndon Parks and Recreation Department is happy with the turnout of the day’s event,” stated Abby Kimble, marketing specialist for the Herndon Parks and Recreation Department. “It was great to see and meet people new to the Herndon Community Center and to see some of our regular visitors, who joined us for our 35th Anniversary celebration.”
During the event, visitors had the opportunity to see a new inflatable float at the community center pool, participate in a ZUMBA and BODYPUMP class, and learn more about Herndon Community Center facility and programs. Visitors also had the opportunity to help build a paper-mache turkey which will be put on display at the upcoming Turkey Trot 5K race.
Two children who helped with the paper-mache turkey were Evan Cohen and his brother Bryce. “We’ve come here since they were little, we love the Herndon Community Center,” said Herndon resident and mother Laura Cohen. The upcoming Turkey Trot will be held at Herndon Community Center on Nov. 22 and begin at 4 p.m. Long sleeve Sport Trek T-shirts will be guaranteed to the first 900 pre-registered runners. Shirts must be picked up the day of the race.
CAPTURING FOOTAGE of the open house were Herndon Community Television (HCTV) volunteers Blake Rose and Taylor Peterson. “I’ve seen a lot of families, everybody is in a great mood here,” said Peterson. Herndon resident Tanya Phillip brought her daughters to see the paper-mache turkey. “My children use the facility for classes,” said Phillip. “I like the community center, it is affordable and the staff is very professional.”
Also visiting was town manager for the Town of Herndon, Arthur A. Anselene. Anselene has served as town manager since September 2007, prior to this he served the Town of Herndon as director of Parks and Recreation, a position he assumed in 1976. Anselene oversaw the development of a comprehensive parks and recreation system for the town to include a dozen parks, the indoor tennis center at Bready Park and the flagship Herndon Community Center.
In addition to attractions such as an indoor swimming pool, the Herndon Community Center is one of several locations which partners with the Council for the Arts of Herndon for the Arts In Public Places program. This program provides area business with an opportunity to display original art created by local artists. Currently the Herndon Community Center is displaying photographs taken from the town of Herndon and areas neighboring Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Many of the works are available for purchase.
Herndon’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting forums on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20 to find out what residents want from the community center. 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 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. To RSVP for the forums or to get more information, email rsvp.pr@herndon-va.gov or call 703-787-7300.
POSSIBLE CHANGES include what the P&R 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 fitness equipment up there, but the community center wants to know if there should be additional programs geared towards younger children or the aging population.
Herndon Community Center is an award-winning fitness and recreation facility located within Bready Park in the Town of Herndon. Adjacent to the W&OD Trail, the Herndon Community Center is an excellent place to exercise, swim, play tennis, play basketball, play racquetball or take a class. The building is open from early morning to late evening on most days. Mayor Lisa Merkel and Herndon town council members have recognized the benefits of Herndon Community Center. “The Herndon Community Center is a treasured amenity in the heart of town,” said Herndon Mayor Lisa Merkel. “Many people's first experience with the town is through community center classes, and it is no surprise that the Parks and Recreation staff has received national recognition for their outstanding programs and events.”