McLean Connection

The Dranesville District includes McLean, Great Falls, Herndon and some areas of Vienna and Falls Church and has about 125,000 residents. It runs from the Arlington County border to the Loudoun County border along the beautiful Potomac River. Herndon is a quintessential small American town with a rich heritage and strong sense of community. It also has a vibrant transit area developing around a new Metro station that will open soon. McLean is an active community with some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the Metropolitan region. Only a few miles from Tysons and the Dulles Corridor, Great Falls is a semi-rural community where residents actively participate in preserving its history and protecting its environment.

Dranesville includes some of the best County and National parks in the region including Riverbend Park, Great Falls Park, and Scotts Run Nature Preserve. The District is also home to numerous excellent public schools including the high achieving and highly regarded Langley, McLean, and Herndon High Schools. Throughout the District, there are excellent libraries and active arts communities. All three communities have outdoor summer concert series and old-fashioned farmers’ markets. The introduction of Metro’s Silver Line has provided an alternative to the automobile for Dranesville residents. Expansion of the Silver Line to Dulles Airport and into Loudoun, scheduled to open in 2020, will make traveling that much easier. The excellent schools, parks and libraries, lovely neighborhoods, active youth sports and arts programs, and its active, interesting, and friendly residents make Dranesville an excellent place to live, raise a family, and do business.

Fairfax County, and especially Tysons and the Dulles Corridor, continue to grow and provide excellent business and employment opportunities for Dranesville residents. Our challenge in the coming years is to ensure that the growth is balanced with expanded public facilities and public services so that future generations will be able to enjoy living in Dranesville as much as the past and current residents have enjoyed making their homes here.

If you are looking to get involved in the community, there are many civic and community organizations always in need of new people. Take a look at the McLean Citizens Association www.mcleancitizens.org and the Great Falls Citizens Association https://gfca.org/. Volunteer opportunities can be found at https://www.volunteerfairfax.org

I hope you will sign up for my community notices and updates, which provide information on important goings on in Dranesville and the County. Visit my website at https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dranesville/ and subscribe to our newsletter.

Welcome to the Dranesville District. It has been my honor to represent Dranesville residents on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors for the past 12 years. I look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.

Places to See in Dranesville District

We are fortunate to have many wonderful parks, historical features, and community events in the Dranesville District. The following are some of my favorites. While some of the events listed below have been postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parks are open, and I hope that these special community events will be able to resume in 2021.

Clemyjontri Park: Since opening in 2006, more than 200,000 visitors have enjoyed this unique playground where children of all abilities can play side-by-side. Equipment allows children who have physical, sensory, or developmental disabilities to have a parallel playground experience of fun and exploration. The park also includes a carousel, picnic pavilion, and new trackless train. The parking lot has recently been expanded so more visitors can enjoy the park. 6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean

Riverbend Park: This park offers over 400 acres of forests, meadows, and ponds. Trails include a 2.5-mile portion of the Potomac Heritage Trail that links national and regional parkland. Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing are all available on the Potomac River. Another reason to visit Riverbend Park is to take advantage of the recently completed Outdoor Education Classroom/Picnic Shelter that opened this spring. 8700 Potomac Hills, Great Falls

Colvin Run Mill Historic Site: Colvin Run Mill offers visitors a chance to step back in time. There are tours of the restored mill, which was built around 1811. A general store offers stone ground cornmeal, wheat flour, grits, “penny candy,” snacks, and drinks. Trails are available for quiet walks. Live music, craft demonstrations, ice cream making, and seasonal activities are offered from February through December. 10017 Colvin Run, Great Falls

Turner Farm: Originally the site of a dairy farm, the 52-acre park offers a unique mix of educational and recreational facilities. Observatory Park offers the public a chance to see the night sky from one of Fairfax County’s darkest spots through permanently mounted telescopes. The Analemma Society partners with the Park Authority to provide astronomy programs at the observatory. Equestrians can enjoy a cross country course and a large multi-purpose arena with stadium jumps and dressage makers. Small children can enjoy a tot lot. Under the Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program, the historic Turner Farmhouse has been restored and is now occupied by the Turner Farmhouse Foundation, under the direction of Sarah Kirk. 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls

Runnymede Park: The Town of Herndon owns and maintains this 58-acre park. It is the site for many community nature-related events such as the annual NatureFest, the Spring Native Plant Sale, and the Fall Native Plant Sale. Situated near the Sugarland Run Stream, the park attracts over 100 species of bird, deer, fox, and other wildlife. Guided walks are offered to highlight the wildlife on the trails. Two park shelters are available for rent. 196 Herndon Parkway, Herndon

MPAartfest: Every October, the McLean Project for the Arts converts McLean Central Park into a free, one-day festival of the arts. Thousands of area residents attend. Vendor tents display the works of numerous juried artists, which are complemented by the exhibitions of children’s and seniors’ artwork, an Open Studio demonstration, and performances by local musicians. McLean Central Park, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean

McLean Day: Sponsored by the McLean Community Center, McLean Day is held on the third Saturday in May. The festival features live entertainment, carnival rides, exhibitions, and delicious foods for visitors of all ages. The event also includes booths where artisans, local businesses, civic organizations, nonprofit groups, and local officials showcase their wares. Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean

Herndon Festival: Held in late May, the Herndon Festival offers something for the whole family. The festival features two entertainment stages, 10K and 5K races, carnival rides, hands-on arts and activities, food vendors, fireworks, and more. Enjoy four days of fun-filled activities and entertainment. 200 Spring Street, Herndon

Great Falls Freedom Memorial: The Great Falls Freedom Memorial was created in 2004 to honor all who have served our country. The Freedom Memorial hosts annual ceremonies, on Memorial Day, September 11, and Veterans’ Day, as well as a 5K race on July 4. It is a special place to pay respects to and remember those who have served and sacrificed for our country. 9830 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls (Behind the Great Falls Library)

Herndon Friday Night Live!: Friday nights during the summer, Friday Night Live! concerts are held on the Herndon Town Green. Concerts are free and feature popular local and regional acts. Most featured bands play rock and roll covers from classic to modern rock, but country and original music are also included for good measure. Herndon Town Green, 777 Lynn Street, Herndon