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Fairfax County Park Foundation – Bike Racks Encourage Sustainable Transportation

September 26, 2011

Bike Racks Encourage Sustainable Transportation About Dunn Loring Park and the Fairfax County Park Foundation

Dunn Loring Park in Fairfax County is pedalling forward with new bike racks for the highly congested area it serves.

Dunn Loring Park is a neighborhood recreational area that serves both the residential community and Metro riders using the Dunn Loring-Merrifield station – about a half mile away. The park is located close to the W&OD Trail and features tennis and basketball courts as well as picnic areas.

Working with the Fairfax County Park Foundation, local Brownie Troop 5689 identified the need for bike racks at Dunn Loring Park after participating in a cleanup day for a service learning project.

The Park Foundation supplements tax dollars to meet community needs for parkland and services and wanted to support the Brownies' efforts to secure bike racks, said Bobbi Longworth, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and Paul Baldino, who recently retired from the position.

The Park Foundation decided to pursue bike rack funding for a number of reasons including that the area around the park is highly congested – cycling will help alleviate some of the traffic. In addition, the bike racks will enhance the park by providing a place for visitors to store their bikes and by encouraging cycling in the Dunn Loring area.

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

Due to the economic downturn and significant county budget restrictions, funding was a major obstacle in securing the new bike racks for the park. A community grant from Transurban-Fluor enabled the Park Foundation to purchase the bike racks.

"We wouldn't have been able to complete the project without the grant funding from Transurban-Fluor," Baldino said.

Transurban-Fluor chose to fund the bike racks because of its focus on regional mobility and travel choices.

"Transurban is committed to transportation solutions that are sustainable, safe, innovative and efficient," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes. "As part of the 495 Express Lanes project, we will provide new bike paths and sidewalks on every Beltway crossing in the project corridor. We support projects like new bike racks in Dunn Loring Park because they encourage the sustainable and efficient transportation solutions we value."

Transurban-Fluor presented Brownie Troop 5689 and representatives from the Fairfax County Park Foundation with a check for the bike racks at Bike to Work Day on May 21, 2010. Bike to Work Day is an annual event designed to celebrate bicycling as a clean, fun and healthy way to get to work. Transurban-Fluor sponsored a pit stop in Merrifield close to Dunn Loring Park.

The park is currently replacing the tennis courts. Once work on the courts is complete, the Park Foundation will install one bike rack near the picnic area and another near the courts.

Longworth said the Park Foundation will invite the Girl Scouts to a small ceremony at the park to thank them for their contribution.

More Information

For more information about the Fairfax County Park Foundation or to volunteer, please visit http://fairfaxparkfoundation.org/

George Mason University Organic Vegetable Garden – Green Plots on Urban Blocks

December 6, 2018

About the George Mason University Organic Vegetable Garden

Sustainability, organic and green aren't just buzz words at George Mason University (GMU). The university's Organic Vegetable Garden is literally bringing these words to life.

This summer the GMU Organic Vegetable Garden is yielding its first produce. The 1,000 foot wide by 1,000 foot long garden sits behind a residence building on land donated by the GMU Housing Department.

According to Danielle Wyman, Sustainability Projects Specialist for the GMU Office of Sustainability who also serves as the Garden Manager, the goal of the garden is to raise awareness about organic gardening, knowing the origin of your food and the importance of growing your own vegetables.

Founded in April 2009, the garden produces a wide variety of produce – tomatoes, potatoes, pumpkins, eggplant, strawberries, kale, watermelon, cantaloupe, beets, onions, beans and broccoli. In addition, there are a number of herbs such as basil, oregano, chives, mint, sage and rosemary.

It also includes peach and cherry trees, sunflowers and tobacco plants which serve as natural pest repellents.

Food harvested from the garden goes to the garden volunteers as well as local food pantries. The garden recently made its first donation to the food pantry – 92 pounds of fresh produce.

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

The garden's first 18 months were a learning process for management and volunteers. During the summer of 2009, the garden faced challenges including clay-rich soil and water issues. Garden management was able to make improvements with the help of a community grant from Transurban-Fluor.

Using the Transurban-Fluor community grant, garden management purchased gardening essentials –a watering hose which provides a reliable water source, a wheelbarrow, gardening tools, paint for the shed, and importantly, organic top soil.

This summer the garden has flourished and the plants are yielding plenty of produce. In July, several employees from Transurban volunteered their time and helped weed the beds, plant vegetable seeds and water.

"The garden would not have been possible without the Mason community and Transurban-Fluor," Wyman said. "Ninety-five percent of the plants and materials in the garden were donated."

Transurban-Fluor made the decision to support the organic vegetable garden because of its commitment to sustainability and the environment.

"Not only is the GMU Organic Vegetable Garden sustainable and environmentally friendly, but it has created a sense of community," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "The garden serves as a living example of Transurban's core values – it's sustainable, good for the environment and improves the community."

Wyman believes the garden is making a difference in the GMU community.

"It's more than just students realizing that food from the garden tastes better than store-bought food," Wyman said. "A community has also developed. There is a sense of pride for growing something and literally enjoying the fruits of your labor."

More Information

The garden welcomes volunteers from Mason and the wider community as well as donations, such as garden tools. For more information, please contact Wyman at dwyman@gmu.edu.

Nature Playce – Connecting Kids and Nature

August 22, 2011

About Nature Playce

Squirmy worms, mud pies and tree forts – these are things children can experience at Nature Playce, a 1/3-acre open woodland space designed for safe nature play.

Located next to the Fairfax County Park Authority's Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale, Nature Playce provides a natural area where children can interact directly with nature and participate in self-directed creative play. It has one simple rule: Enter with a sense of wonder and spirit of adventure.

"Children spend 50 percent less time outdoors than their parents did," said Suzanne Holland, assistant manager of the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. "This is much more of a plugged-in generation. Children are not able to understand what nature is all about or appreciate what is around them."

The only facility of its kind in the area, Nature Playce provides a safe outdoor environment that puts parents at ease while connecting children with nature and encouraging free play. On any given day children can play with worms and bugs, find birds perched in the trees, watch a squirrel nibble on an acorn or even catch a glimpse of a few deer grazing in the woods.

Most importantly, Nature Playce creates a bond between children and nature – building a generation dedicated to protecting our environment.

"We are building future stewards," Holland said. "They are going to develop a positive relationship with nature and in the future be more actively engaged in protecting it."

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

Nature Playce recently added a water feature using grant money provided by Transurban-Fluor. The water feature, which includes rocks to climb on and puddles to splash in, provides children with a connection to water. In addition to the water feature, Nature Playce provides digging areas, a sandbox and fallen trees for climbing.

"We've seen amazing creative play around the water feature," Holland said. "It gives the children the ability to touch and play in a safe water environment. They make mud soup, pies and sand castles and do it all on their own."

Transurban-Fluor selected Nature Playce for a community grant because if its commitment to the environment.

"As a long-term partner in the Northern Virginia area, we are committed to the local community and its environment," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "Nature Playce provides the hands-on experience with nature that undoubtedly creates environmentally conscious citizens in the future. We are pleased to have had an opportunity to assist such a unique organization."

The development of Nature Playce has been a community effort with assistance from an Eagle Scout, Kiwanis Club of Annandale, Transurban-Fluor and the Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

More Information

For more information or to volunteer at Nature Playce, please visit http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/hiddenoaks/.

Annandale Christian Community for Action's Child Development Center – Building Block for the Future

July 11, 2011

About the Annandale Christian Community for Action's Child Development Center

What's on a working family's "worry" list? Likely diapers, doctor's visits and the cost of quality child care. The ACCA Child Development Center (CDC), part of the Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), provides working families with financial needs, a solution for child care concerns.

The CDC was founded in 1968 with the mission to provide excellent and affordable early child care. It provides development care for children that are three months to five years old and has an enrollment capacity of 230 children. Most of the children are from low- to moderate-income families. The CDC's base of volunteers keeps overhead costs low and center tuition prices affordable.

According to Maria Isabel Ballivian, the director of the CDC, the program's goal is to teach its students the skills necessary for them to thrive once they reach elementary school.

"Studies show that investing in early education pays off because children acquire the knowledge to be more successful in school and in their lives," Ballivian said. "The first five years are critical. It's when the children learn the skills that set the foundation for what comes next."

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

Due to work schedule changes or subsidy changes, families enrolled in CDC are at times unable to afford the program. In response, CDC created a Special Assistance initiative that allows for a temporary reduction in fees through scholarships while parents pursue employment that will qualify them for tuition subsidies.

A community grant from Transurban-Fluor has assisted the CDC to provide additional scholarships, allowing CDC's enrolled children to stay at the center.

"Continuous enrollment fosters the children's physical, mental, social and intellectual development – a benefit to them, their families and the larger community as demonstrated by years of research on the positive effects of early care and education," Ballivian said.

In addition to the Special Assistance program, the CDC also provides specialized services to its students. A majority of the children do not speak English as their first language and therefore need extra help to gain the skills they need to be successful in school. In addition, a number of the children have special needs.

CDC works with a speech pathologist, occupational therapist and psychologist to ensure that its children receive the type and amount of assistance necessary to succeed. The community grant from Transuban-Fluor has helped CDC assess the children and provide them with special services.

"We are committed to providing the best care and education to the families and children we serve," Ballivian said. "We are working hard to ensure that children are welcomed into the program and throughout the day have the opportunity to participate in activities that will get them ready for life."

As a long-term partner to the community, Transurban-Fluor understands the importance of investing in the future.

"Transurban strives to be a valuable long-term partner to the communities in which we operate," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "The ACCA Child Development Center provides quality education to children – the future of the community. We are proud to assist the CDC in its efforts to provide quality early childhood education to children in need."

More Information

The CDC is just one of the service programs ACCA offers. Founded in 1968, ACCA is a volunteer-driven organization providing day care, food assistance, rental assistance, furniture and other services to low-income families in the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area. Many of the programs were created to support the families initially enrolled in the CDC.

For more information about ACCA or the Child Development Center, visit http://www.accacares.org

Fairfax County Restoration Project – Restoring Fairfax County's Ecosystem

August 11, 2011

About Fairfax County Restoration Project

For the Fairfax County Restoration Project (FCRP), the future of Fairfax County includes restored natural areas, trees and a beautiful, healthy environment in which to work and live.

FCRP is a public-private partnership dedicated to strengthening the relationship between people and nature through community action. The organization works with public entities, private organizations, volunteer organizations and the business community to mobilize resources to improve the environment and quality of life of area residents.

"Instead of doing projects, we are a facilitator," said Jim McGlone, public information officer for FCRP. "People come to us with a project, we determine what resources they need and connect them to those resources."

Amy Gould, a local real estate agent, founded FCRP to alleviate the local impacts of major construction projects.

FCRP's all-volunteer leadership includes representatives from the Virginia Department of Forestry, Fairfax County Park Authority, Lands & Waters and the Sierra Club.

"This project is important because it breaks down barriers," McGlone said. "Often times government agencies are working along parallel tracks with non-profits – we help efficiently combine and utilize resources to get more accomplished."

In the two years since its inception, FCRP has helped establish an organic vegetable garden at George Mason University with a grant from Transurban-Fluor and worked with the City of Falls Church Water Utility to create an outdoor classroom for Chesterbrook Elementary School and Falls Church City schools.

FCRP is currently working with Reforest Fairfax to plant trees in Fairfax County and with the Fairfax County Tree Commission on the Celebrated Trees of Fairfax County project.

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

While FCRP was making a difference in the community, it was lacking a Web presence. Community members had nowhere to go to access information about FCRP or learn about how to get involved. With the help of a grant from Transurban-Fluor, FCRP worked with Eze Solutions – which matched the grant – to create its Web site.

McGlone said the Web site is important for two reasons – it serves as the public face for the project and is a place to direct people for more information.

"The site serves as a clearinghouse for things going on environmentally in the community," McGlone said. "Those interested in getting involved can visit the site and learn more about community gardens, planting trees, etc."

Transurban-Fluor chose to support the FCRP because of the organization's mission to improve natural areas in Fairfax County.

"Transurban cares about the environment and the impact of construction on the community and surrounding ecosystem," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "For these reasons we are supporting FCRP and its Web site – a tool that will help FCRP generate awareness and secure support for the great work it does for the community and environment."

FCRP launched the new Web site in September 2009. McGlone said the site has received positive feedback.

"Without grant support, none of this would have been possible," McGlone said. "As a team of volunteers, we have no financial resources. This grant shows us that Transurban wants to be good members of the community – they are going to be with us for a very long time."

More Information

There are numerous ways to get involved with FCRP. The organization is always looking for places to plant trees. They also welcome businesses, non-profits, home owners, students and volunteers to help with everything from tree planting to green landscaping.

For more information on FCRP, please visit: www.fcrpp3.org

McLean Project for the Arts – Connecting Art and Communities

September 19, 2011

About McLean Project for the Arts

At McLean Project for the Arts (MPA), art is a community asset – something community members can learn about, appreciate and practice.

Founded in 1962, MPA is one of the oldest nonprofit visual arts centers in Northern Virginia. The organization's mission is to exhibit the work of artists from the Mid-Atlantic region, provide education and instruction in visual arts and educate the community on the concepts of contemporary arts.

"We are the only visual arts center in the region that combines such a comprehensive program of exhibitions along with an equally comprehensive program of educational offerings," said Nancy Perry, executive director of MPA.

MPA provides classes and workshops for children and adults. In addition, MPA runs ArtReach, a program that sends professional artist educators into schools and brings students to the galleries for interactive tours. The tours are linked to standards of learning in Virginia's curriculum.

MPA offers evening adult programs such as Art Appetizers, Gals in the Gallery and Cocktails and Creating in addition to classes.

Perry believes it is important to bring the arts to the community in a local setting.

"We have amazing art museums in D.C. but not everyone can access those museums," Perry said. "Because we are a smaller gallery we can provide an intimate, hands-on experience that the larger museums can't provide."

In addition to providing classes and workshops for the community, MPA also provides opportunities for artists to exhibit their work. MPA boasts three galleries and hosts around 17 exhibitions per year.

"There aren't many spaces for artists to exhibit – museums and commercial galleries are hard to get into," Perry said.

As a nonprofit visual arts center, MPA seeks out artists to show their work but doesn't represent artists. MPA's main gallery – the Emerson Gallery – is one of the best places in the Mid-Atlantic region for artists to exhibit, Perry said. MPA also has two smaller galleries for emerging artists.

MPA helps to build a sense of community in McLean and Northern Virginia.

"We are a gathering place and in this day and age in a suburban community it's hard to build that sense of community," Perry said. "We really bring the community together."

One of the ways MPA brings the community together is MPAartfest, an annual art festival attended by thousands of people each year.

MPAartfest is McLean's first visual and performing arts festival. The event features the work of local artists, a children's ArtTent offering art projects for children, a children's ArtWalk exhibition featuring art work from local elementary school students, an Open Studio demonstration for attendees to participate in drawing a live model, as well as performances from local school groups and bands.

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

Like many nonprofit organizations, fundraising for MPA is down due to the economy. As a result, community support is more important than ever. MPA recently received a grant from Transurban-Fluor to help with exhibitions and educational programs.

"The grant from Transurban-Fluor is extremely important to help us pay for our programs," Perry said.

Transurban-Fluor supports MPA because the organization brings the community together and offers educational opportunities not found elsewhere.

"Transurban-Fluor believes in supporting and building communities," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "McLean Project for the Arts brings the community together with enriching opportunities and exhibits for children and adults. We are proud to support an organization that offers such unique programs to build community."

More Information

MPA has a small professional staff that strongly believes in its mission. Volunteers and community support are critical to MPA. Perry said the organization is always looking for volunteers for everything from MPAartfest support to strategic planning and management consulting.

For more information about MPA, visit www.mpaart.org

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling – Better Bicycling in Fairfax County

February 7, 2011

About Fairfax County Advocates for Better Bicycling

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling (FABB) works to improve conditions for those who choose a mode of transportation with two wheels instead of four.

FABB is a volunteer organization affiliated with the Washington Area Bicyclist Association that strives to ensure that bicycling is an integral part of transportation in Fairfax County, said Bruce Wright, FABB chairman. The organization advocates for both on-road and off-road bike facilities.

FABB formed in 2005 when a group of cyclists got together at a local bike shop and began talking about the need for better bike facilities in the region. The organization now meets monthly to advocate for better bicycling conditions in Fairfax County and has been behind many of the recent safety improvements for cyclists in the region.

The organization worked with the Fairfax County Bike Coordinator to produce a bike map detailing major bike routes in the county. The map is available both online and in hard copy. They also helped place bike racks on all Fairfax Connector Buses.

FABB recently published the "Guide for Reviewing Public Road Design and Bicycling Accommodations for Virginia Bicycling Advocates," a resource to help bicycling advocates get involved in the process of designing, approving, building and retrofitting roads to ensure bicycling plans are integrated into the plans.

Wright is also excited about significant changes for the future. FABB is working with Fairfax County on a bicycle master plan that includes bike routes, bike parking and shower and changing facilities – everything needed to support bikers. The organization also works on bicycle safety and police outreach.

Wright says he has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people biking in the past year – FABB's bimonthly newsletter about various local bike activities now has approximately 850 people on its mailing list.

"People are more concerned about the environment and global climate changes," Wright said. "There are also many younger families brought up with an environmental ethic and we've seen more families use bikes to get around."

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

Last year, a community grant from Transurban-Fluor helped FABB reach out to cyclists through the distribution of front and rear bike lights.

FABB scheduled the bike light giveaways within the 495 Express Lanes corridor and worked with local churches in areas where there are a lot of service workers who use bikes to get to and from work.

"Many can't afford to buy lights and rely on bikes for transportation," Wright said. "Bike lights are very important for safety and can be a lifesaving thing."

FABB held bike light giveaways at four locations and gave out a majority of the lights. At each location they provided equipment to install the bike lights as well as a bike mechanic to address any bike problems. FABB purchased 200 lights and reached about 160 people through the bike light giveaways.

Transurban-Fluor chose to support FABB and the bike light program because it values sustainable, safe, innovative and efficient transportation solutions.

"The 495 Express Lanes Project includes major upgrades for cyclists and pedestrians and aligns with the Fairfax County Trails Plan," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the 495 Express Lanes Project. "We value sustainable, efficient transportation solutions and are honored to work with Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling to provide better connectivity and safety for bicyclists as well as pedestrians."

Wright said FABB would not have been able to conduct the program without grant support from Transurban-Fluor. Transurban-Fluor employees also volunteered their time to attend the bike light giveaways and help install the lights.

More Information

For more information about FABB or to sign up to receive the FABB newsletter, please visit http://www.fabb-bikes.org

Annandale Christian Community for Action – Delivering Comforts of Home

July 11, 2011

About the Annandale Christian Community for Action's Furniture Program

Don Di Spirito spends his Saturday mornings transforming barren apartments into comfortable homes. As chair of the Annandale Christian Community for Action's (ACCA) furniture program, Di Spirito and a team of volunteers collect and deliver gently used furniture to families in need each week.

"We are dealing with people who have a critical need in order to live and we truly transform their living situation," said Di Spirito who has been associated with ACCA for more than 25 years.

The ACCA furniture program is unique in that it is the only full-service program of its kind in Fairfax County – program volunteers pick up furniture from those making a donation, deliver it to those in need and manage three storage facilities to store donated furniture until it's matched with a family.

The furniture program, like all ACCA programs, works in conjunction with Fairfax County. The county screens applicants with furniture needs and sends the requests to Di Spirito. Every Saturday morning 10-12 volunteers set out in three trucks to deliver furniture and pick up donations.

Di Spirito said the furniture program helps anyone with a need such as those moving out of a homeless shelter or refugees who have just the clothes on their back.

"We transition them into apartment rentals and provide the furniture to turn the units into a comfortable home," Di Spirito said.

Furniture for the program is donated by individual donors in the area, hotels, retirement homes, churches and businesses. The program accepts any type of gently used furniture from end tables to dressers to couches.

495 Express Lanes Community Grant Support

One of the most essential furniture items is a bed. The furniture program needs about 300 bed sets – mattresses and box springs – to operate the program each year. The ACCA furniture program was able to purchase 18 new mattress sets with their grant.

"When we are able to walk into a low-cost rental unit and present them with something that is brand new, it is very impressive to them," Di Spirito said.

Transurban-Fluor selected the ACCA furniture program for a community grant because of its commitment to improving the community and helping those in need.

"Transurban will operate the 495 Express Lanes for 75 years," said Tim Steinhilber, general manager of the Project. "As a long-term partner we believe we have an obligation to be active in our community. We are proud to partner with ACCA to provide much-needed furniture to people in need – helping them establish a comfortable home which will serve as the foundation for a healthy and productive life."

In the past year alone, the furniture program has completed nearly 700 furniture pickups and deliveries. They have delivered almost 2,000 furniture items to 335 households, reaching 1,340 people.

The furniture program is just one of the service programs ACCA offers. Founded in 1968, ACCA is a volunteer-driven organization providing day care, food assistance, rental assistance, furniture and other services to low-income families in the Annandale/Bailey's Crossroads area. Each program operates autonomously out of volunteers' homes.

More Information

Di Spirito said ACCA is always in need of volunteers. Those with a need for furniture or other services can call (703) 222-0880. ACCA also maintains an emergency hotline at (703) 256-1378.

For more information about ACCA or the furniture program, visit http://www.accacares.org

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