Arlington County Government, VA / Parks and Recreation

ATV's monthly chat with Arlington County Board members on actions they've taken in the most recent Board meeting. This month, Board Chair Jay Fisette and his colleague Christian Dorsey discuss Long Bridge Park, accessory dwellings, affordable housing, and the budget process.

mmmm... collective artists Eva Salmerón and Emilio Alarcón traveled from Madrid, Spain to talk with Arlington Cultural Affairs Specialist Cynthia Connolly about their public art project on the plaza at 1310 N. Courthouse Rd. in Arlington VA.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we take a tour of Arlington's Earth Products Recycling Yard. We also celebrate some awards, we look forward the Arlington County Fair and the Police, Fire and Emergency Management's Block Party and we share some tips for staying out of the heat.

arlingtoncountyfair.us

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we take a look at the long-planned sidewalk upgrade on Old Dominion. Bluemont Park renovations celebrate with a ribbon cutting. The county has to BEE careful at a building in Nauck. JFAC is holding an informational meeting on bus storage in the county, which you can stream live right here. The Office of Emergency Management held a HERricane. The Office of Human Rights annual conference on work place discrimination looked at "Overcoming Barriers for Employment and Advancement of Females and Minorities." And we hold a meeting... in a bowl?

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. This edition attends a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of the US entry into World War I. Also, a call for Foster Parents, and an extended deadline for nominations for the annual Women of Vision Awards. We look forward to the very first Arlington Palooza on April 29 and we look again at all the amazing activity going on at the Arlington County Trades Center.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition, we check in with the Street Beat team to learn about upcoming SafeTrack Surge plans and we visit the annual Women of Vision awards. We also take a look at the County Board's recent statement that Arlington is an inclusive and welcoming community. We visit a rare Magnolia Bog, meet a new Police Chief for a Day and check out a great new piece of public art.

In this edition of County Board Wrap-Up, Board Chair Libby Garvey is joined by her colleague Christian Dorsey to talk about WMATA's "SafeTrack" project. They also discuss new development projects on Columbia Pike and in Ballston. Ms. Garvey addresses the Historic District designation for Stratford School, the acquisition of new land for parks, a restoration project getting underway in Four Mile Run, and a new Neighborhood Conservation plan for Long Branch neighborhood.

ATV's regular roundup of news and notes. In this edition we make a call for the Pothole Busters, go to an Alice in Wonderland themed ball, introduce year round yard waste, check out the new courts at Virginia Highland Park, make a call for nominations for Women of Vision 2016, and dust off an old old, song.

The County is holding a Community Snow Forum on Feb. 24 at Francis Scott Key Elementary to get your feedback on snow clean up efforts. Also, registration for Summer classes is beginning, the county offers free tax advice for low and moderate income residents, the annual Feel the Heritage celebration returns, and in this week's Street Beat we look at efforts to make the I66/Washington Blvd intersection work better and safer for everyone.

ATV's monthly update providing insight on all the actions and activity of the most recent County Board meeting. County Board Chair Mary Hynes joins Diana Sun to talk about the October 2015 Board meeting, focusing on new development site plans in Ballston and Clarendon, an update on the Fire Station #8 story, a new community park, the designation of an area of Old Growth forest, new LED lights coming to a section of Lee Highway, and the county renewing service agreements with Falls Church.

Arlington TV's bi-weekly round up of all the news and notes around Arlington. In this edition, meet Mark Schwartz, the new Acting County Manager for Arlington. Also, we check in on the State of the County, go to the park, and hear about a Mongolian Community event.

ATV’s new program providing insight on all the actions and activity of the most recent County Board meeting. Current Board Chair Mary Hynes joins us to talk about the June 2015 board meeting, focusing on plans for Rosslyn, an Affordable Housing Master Plan, a new Ballston Mall, and other items.

Crystal City is emerging as a home for start-up and tech companies. Recently, Governor Terry McAuliffe, County Board members and others welcomed an important new company to Arlington. We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first …

Senator Tim Kaine got a taste of what Arlington has to offer in terms of creative job training during his visit to a chef training program called La Cocina VA. It's a bilingual program that provides immigrants with the skills they need to work in a commercial kitchen. While in training, the cooks prepare meals that are provided to low-income families through the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing. These types of programs often rely on volunteers. To help out, search for Volunteer Arlington on our website.

The demolition of Marymount University's Blue Goose building is nearly complete, paving the way for modernization of the school's Ballston campus. In its place, two attractive and energy efficient buildings will grace the corner of Fairfax Drive and Glebe Road. Both will feature ground floor retail and underground parking, and will be connected by an outdoor plaza. Blue elements will be incorporated into the new structure and plaza in homage to the bright blue building that stood there since 1963. Learn more about redevelopment in Arlington at projects.arlingtonva.us

Crystal City is home to a growing community of startups that operate in industries where government is a key player. Global startup 1776 acquired Disruption Corporation, Crystal City's leading startup platform, and is partnering with Vornado/Charles E Smith to open a new campus in Crystal City. Take a look....

To learn more about economic development in Arlington and the efforts underway to attract new business, take a look at the website "arlingtonvirginiausa.com"

Barton Park now features a quietly beautiful Healing Garden that includes the labyrinth that was graciously donated by the Whitman-Walker Clinic of Northern Virginia. The small park overlooks the Barton Street Community Gardens and the newly refurbished Rocky Run Park. Find out about other hidden gems in Arlington's park system at parks.arlingtonva.us.

Lubber Run Community Center has housed popular programs for decades and frankly, it's time for a new look. Planning for a NEW Lubber Run Community Center begins in 2016, but we want to hear your ideas now. Stop by the building on April 29 at 7 p.m. for a visioning session, where you can share your thoughts. A walk-through of the existing community center will take place at 6:30. For more, information, go to our website. We want to hear from as many voices as possible and hope you can join us!

April's County Board meeting focused on the budget. We take an in-depth look at those issues and more in our new County Board Wrap Up program. You can watch it here on ATV, or on line at arlingtonva.tv.

Well, that's it for now. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families just celebrated 10 years of its Connect With Kids Champions program. It honors those who let young people know they are valued here in Arlington. We'll tell you all about that later in our program, but first...

Nerdwallet tracks economic trends, and it puts the DC-Arlington & Alexandria metro near the top of its list of best places for black-owned businesses in the country. We came in at Number 5, and Nerdwallet singled out the support that Arlington's small business assistance program, BizLaunch, provides in their success. BizLaunch offers workshops and seminars throughout the year for all local entrepreneurs and small business owners. Find out more by searching for BizLaunch at arlingtonvirginiausa.com.

It may be cold outside now, but the Parks Department is already gearing up for summer camp. Registration has begun! Don’t let fees be a barrier to participating, as assistance is available. Check the parks website for a list of camps, or call the office for help.

Do you know a Connect with Kids Champion? Each year The Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families honor Arlingtonians who go out of their way to develop positive relationships with young people. This year 6 new champions were honored through the Connect With Kids program. If you want to nominate a champion or learn how to connect with young people contact Michael Swisher at Connect with Kids.

Celebrate Black History Month at Arlington’s 23rd annual Feel the Heritage Festival on Saturday, February 28 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Drew Community Center. This free and fun event offers lots to see and do, including live music and dance, a “Hall of History,” fun for kids, delicious soul food and a great selection of vendors. We hope to see you there! Check the Parks website for the full program

Well, that's it for now, stay warm. Thanks for watching! We'll see you next time, Around Arlington.

It’s time to sign up your children for one of Arlington’s many fun programs. Arlington County classes provide an opportunity for children to learn, be active, have fun and make new friends! Check out the wide variety of classes ranging from sports, arts, nature, imagination, and so much more, as well as opportunities to enjoy family time exploring the community.

Don’t let fees be a barrier for signing up your child. Arlington wants to ensure that every Arlington child has an opportunity to learn, grow and have fun all year round. If your total household income qualifies, and/or your child receives free or reduced lunches at Arlington Public schools, you may qualify for reduced fees for Parks and Recreation programs. Applying for a fee reduction is easy and confidential, and the discount applies to everyone in your household.

Sign up today at one of these locations*, or learn more about Arlington class offerings and fee reduction policy at parks.ArlingtonVA.us, keyword: fee reduction.




*Fee Reduction Locations:

Main Registration Office
3700 S. Four Mile Run Dr.
703-228-4747
M-F 8am-5pm

Satellite locations
Arlington Mill Community Center
Langston-Brown Community Center
Lubber Run Community Center

In Arlington, we love our volunteers -- so we threw them a party! We'll tell you more about that later in our program, but first...

There's a new bocce court in town! You'll find it in the Clarendon-Courthouse area, in a small open space that used to be a vacant lot. Today, it's a relaxing environment for nearby workers and residents to enjoy, with seating for lunch and areas to play. Drop by and enjoy this new urban space!

In other Parks news, Fort Barnard Park is now open. Located just off Walter Reed Drive, the renovations include new playgound equipment, a picnic shelter, and landscaping. To learn more about Arlington's parks and to find a park near you, go to our website at parks.arlingtonva.us.

The Parks & Rec afterschool program, "Kids in Action," ended the school year with a parade and color run sponsored by Care for a Change. The program is part of Arlington's Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. Members work to encourage empathy and caring among young people, and the kids have a great time! To join Care for a Change or learn more about the Partnership and how they help Arlington's kids and families, check out their website.

Each year, Arlington hosts a reception to thank everyone who volunteers for the county. Did you know that 32% of Arlingtonians volunteer? In fact, over 10,000 volunteers donate over 500,000 hours to the County each year, saving Arlington over $10 million annually.

Hosting this volunteer reception is just one of many ways we express our appreciation for all our volunteers do. And you would be amazed at how much there is to do! These volunteers

Help at libraries and community centers,
clean up parks and streams;
coach sports teams
Teach classes
and so much more.
You can become a volunteer, too! Check out an opportunity that's right for you at volunteer.arlington.com. Use the search function to find a great match for your skills and interests.

We're excited to report that urban planning for Columbia Pike won the 2014 "Best Corridor Plan" from the Congress for New Urbanism We know we are on the right track with our planning, and are proud to be recognized with this national award. To learn more about Columbia Pike's revitalization, go to columbiapikeva.us.

And finally... Artisphere and TandemNSI recently hosted a Google regional conference. About 300 local software developers and entrepreneurs participated; learning about new products and networking opportunities. To learn more about TandemNSI programs, go to TandemNSI.com.

That's it for this week, thanks for watching, and we'll see you Around Arlington.

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You may have noticed a lot of construction -- and increased traffic - in the Rosslyn area. We'll tell you what's going on there, and why, later. But first, Changes are coming to one of Arlington's largest parks.
Glencarlyn Park serves thousands of residents every year who enjoy its open space and amenities. Now, the playground areas are getting a long-needed upgrade, so that kids today and in the future will be able to enjoy this beautiful outdoor space. The project is funded as part of the Neighborhood Conservation Program. To find out how your neighborhood can benefit from this grant program, go to the County's website and search neighborhood conservation.
The Arlington County Board accepted a grant awarded by the Commonwealth of Virginia to connect technology companies with national security agencies headquartered in Arlington. TandemNSI, highlights our ability to attract and retain successful national security-related businesses. To find more about TandemNSI, visit TandemNSI.com
Construction has begun on Central Place, the centerpiece of a new Rosslyn. However, along with the transformation, comes the reality of traffic backups. Let's find out more. Take a look...
For ongoing construction updates and traffic impacts, visit our website, keyword Central Place.
Later this year, over 160,000 Arlington cars will be sporting a new decal designed by Wakefield High School student Mobin Fateh. His design depicts the Crystal City Water Park and reflects the diversity of Arlington. Congratulations to all who entered. Interested young artists should watch for the announcement of next year's contest on the Arlington County Treasurer's website and in the Sun Gazette.
Well, that's it for another week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington.

After years of development and community input, the new Arlington Mill Community Center has opened its doors on Columbia Pike. This building, a beacon in the community, will provide something for everyone, of every age and every culture. As Columbia Pike continues to grow, this community center will help to foster a main-street environment and a stronger sense of community.

Some of the key features and programs of the new community center include:

• Combining high quality, multi-purpose community center and affordable housing on the Pike. In one of the county's most ethnically and economically diverse areas, Arlington Mill will provide a wide range of courses, classes, recreational and sports opportunities to the community. The center will offer something for everyone, from pre-K to seniors.
• The county board's long-term effort to transform the Pike into a more transit-oriented, walkable, bikeable street that provides high-quality transportation options, ground floor retail, and great public spaces for residents, while preserving the stock of affordable housing and encouraging small business.
• The project came in on budget, and plans to serve a large portion of the population on a consistent basis. Services from DHS and DPR will be served out of this facility and the center has been built to grow along with the community and their needs.

To learn more about Arlington Mill Community Center, hours of operation, and all of the programs offered, visit the county webpage at arlingtonva.us and search Arlington Mill.

"Community led consensus " is the phrase that best describes the process of renovating James Hunter Park in Clarendon. The community had to decide what kind of park they wanted? Who should it benefit? Should it be for dogs? Should it be for people? The process was thorough, and the result, as you will find out, is pretty unique.

It's an amazing park, it's open from sunrise to 10pm every day, with the canine area closing at 9pm. The dog area will also close from 10am to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for staff to clean and maintain it. To find out more about the James Hunter Park visit Arlingtonva.us/parks.

We love our parks in this county, and there's a new one just opened in Ballston. We'll show you what's special about this park in a moment, but first let's get caught up on other news Around Arlington

It's time to nominate your favorite local business for the annual People's Choice ABBIE Awards. You have until October 4, to nominate any Arlington business in categories like "Best Happy Hour" or "Best Customer Service", you can even vote for the "Best Place to take a Date". To vote visit arlingtonva.us/Abbies.

One business that needs congratulating is Skanska, who have built Arlington's first LEED Platinum building at 1776 Wilson Blvd. This is the highest green building certificate possible, and means the latest green technologies available have been used.

Its official! Arlington Mill Community Center held a ribbon cutting and tour to celebrate its opening. The new facility has a gym, senior center and programs for all ages. It's open every day, so stop by and check it out!

Dogtober Day is almost upon us again. It's back at Lacey Woods Park on October 5 from 1-3. You can enter your dog in categories that include most adorable, cutest costume and more. Or just show up and watch the fun.

So, about that new park... along with benches, paths and flowering shrubs, it's got: not one, but two, bocce courts! Take a look as this ancient game finds fans in a new generation.

You'll have to bring your own bocce set to play, Bocce courts can be reserved ahead of time, or are available on a drop-in basis. Well, that's it for this week. Thanks for watching! And we'll see you Around Arlington

Arlington has safe and beautiful trails for biking, running, and walking. As the days
get longer, people of all ages spend more time outside -- and this includes criminals, too.
Here are some safety tips if you are using the trails in our area.
• Try to use populated areas in the daylight hours.
• Wear light, reflective clothing.
• Try to go out with a friend.
• Make sure you bring a cell phone.
• Familiarize yourself with your trails and avoid areas you don't know.
• If you listen to music, make sure you leave one ear open.
• Tell someone where you will be going before you leave.

And remember: Never hesitate to call the police if you think you spot suspicious activity.
• Call 911 for emergencies
• For non-emergencies, call 703-558-2222

For more safety tips, visit arlingtonva.us/police

Arlington County and George Washington University proudly celebrated the opening of Field #6 at Barcroft Park as an NCAA- level baseball stadium.

With added funding from GW, Arlington's first synthetic turf diamond field features new spectator seating, a pressbox, dugouts, bullpens, batting cages, a new entrance plaza and a renovated parking lot.

Field #6 is the Home of the GW Colonials, and provides Arlington's recreational youth baseball leagues with a near major-league experience.

For more information about sports and recreation in Arlington for all age groups and abilities, check the Parks and Recreation website at arlingtonva.us/dpr or call 703-228-3000.

We set David Gaines loose on the 36th annual Arlington County Fair.

arlingtoncountyfair.us

Celebrate July 4th at Arlington County's Long Bridge Park. From noon to 8 pm, come enjoy some of the fun and games for the whole family.

At dusk, Long Bridge Park becomes Arlington's best viewing area for the fireworks.

FREE shuttles are available from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Pentagon City and Crystal City Metro stations and the parking garage at Crystal City Shops.

To find out more, visit www.arlingtonva.us/dpr.

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A look at the Arlington County Career Fair which took place on Feb. 29 2012.

NewsMakers covers the rededication of the renovated Yorktown Swimming Pool, available for use by Arlington students and residents.

Highlighting one of the newest pieces of public art in the county, Wave Arbor by Doug Hollis is a magnificent addition to skyline at Long Bridge Park.

Highlights of a great 2011 in Arlington County.

NewsMakers covers the grand opening of Long Bridge Park in Arlington VA on November 5 2011.

Making sandbags for parks.

News show featuring people and events in Arlington County VA. In this segment, the long-awaited groundbreaking for Long Bridge Park.

News Show featuring people and events in Arlington County VA

A segment of AVN's monthly magazine show, "Here/now", At the Nature Center takes us down to Long Branch Nature Center, where there's always something happening. In this case, an up close and friendly encounter with the center's snake collection.

A fond look back at the Arlington County Board's many accomplishments in 2008.

A segment of AVN's monthly magazine show, "Here/now", this segment features a preview of a one of a kind event taking place in August at Lubber Run Park -- "The Odd World of Scopitones." Host Tara Miles interviews Mary Briggs of Arlington Cultural Affairs, who takes us on a tour of some of the wildest music videos we've ever seen.