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June 3, 2026
You can help shape the future of aging in Fairfax County.
Yesterday, postcards were mailed out to older adults (age 50-plus) across the county, inviting them to take a survey. If you get one of these postcards, I hope you’ll participate because your responses will be used to update the county’s strategic plan to guide programs and services for seniors, adults with disabilities and their caregivers.
Called SHAPE the Future of Aging, the current five-year plan, which the Board of Supervisors adopted in 2023, focuses on five areas:
- Services for Older Adults and Family Caregivers
- Housing and Neighborhood Supports
- Access to Mobility Options
- Personal Well-Being
- Economic Stability and Planning
The Fairfax Area Commission on Aging, experts from community-based organizations, and public and private stakeholders are hard at work carrying out the plan’s recommendations.
In fact, my fellow Board members and I received an annual progress report yesterday during our Older Adults Committee that I chair. (Read about highlights from this report below.) As a result of the plan, for example, the county will launch a new regional, scam prevention public education campaign and it will expand a scientifically proven program to help boost memory and cognitive function.
These innovative initiatives were developed in part based on a previous survey of older adults in 2022, just like the current one that’s being conducted now.
It’s a statistically valid, nationally benchmarked survey, so not every older adult in the county will be invited to take it — only a scientifically random sample of 22,000 residents. (This survey is also offered in the county’s 10 most commonly spoken languages besides English.)
While your answers are anonymous, you’ll be asked questions about your lifestyle, challenges you face, such as with housing and caregiving, and your use of community services like public transportation and senior centers. Survey results eventually will be shared with the Board and public, and the findings also will be compared against the 2022 survey.
If you aren’t randomly selected to answer the survey, you’ll still have a chance to offer your feedback and insights. At the end of June, the county will open up an online survey for any older adult to take, and I’ll provide details in the coming weeks on how you can participate.
Regards,
Walter
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- In the Community
- Reston Town Center North Town Hall June 16
- SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan Update
- Volunteer Opportunities
- What's News in Vienna
- Events and Activities
| | It was an absolute privilege to join American Legion Post 180 members to welcome veterans on an Honor Flight. This incredible group from Utah included heroes who served in Korea and Vietnam. I thank every veteran for your service and sacrifice and for securing our nation’s freedom. | | |
Reston Town Center North
Town Hall Meeting June 16
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What’s happening: As the initial Reston Town Center North rezoning application gets ready to advance to the Planning Commission next month, I’m holding a town hall on the proposal on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. at the North County Governmental Center.
Inova’s development team, along with county staff, will provide an overview of the proposal, as well as answer questions. This meeting is your chance to learn more, get updates on this project since my town hall last year and understand what comes next.
Why it matters: If ultimately approved, this joint application by Inova and the Board of Supervisors will rezone this 47-acre site to show the locations of redesigned streets, a central green, and streetscapes throughout the property. Future rezoning applications will be required for the building-specific uses, including several new buildings: the Reston Regional Library, the Embry Rucker homeless shelter, the human services building, a Fairfax County Park Authority recreation center, an athletic field, a future elementary school, and — on property owned by Inova — housing and limited office, medical, and retail space.
This project plans to deliver a new Reston Regional Library and Embry Rucker Shelter by 2029. While the redevelopment includes a future recreation center, athletic field and elementary school, no delivery dates have been determined for these public facilities yet.
Reston Town Center North sits between Baron Cameron Drive (to the north), Fountain Drive (to the east), Town Center Parkway (to the west) and New Dominion Parkway (to the south).
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Tell me more: The rezoning creates the overall framework for the site’s future development, including the layout of nine new blocks, high-level descriptions of planned public facilities and private development on these blocks (with each block except the central green subject to future approvals), and a new street grid as shown in Reston’s updated Comprehensive Plan approved in 2023.
If approved, the rezoning also sets the stage for a land swap between Fairfax County and Inova under a separate real estate agreement. Because the county and hospital system currently own a patchwork of properties across the overall site, the land exchange will allow for a more coordinated redevelopment plan for both parties.
Fairfax County owns a little more than half of land on the overall site with Inova owning the rest. The county’s land includes the properties where the current library and homeless shelter are located. Inova’s parcels include the North County Human Services Building, Sunrise Assisted Living facility and its emergency room. (See the map below.)
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Rezoning plan: Under the rezoning proposal, future development is anchored around a 3.5-acre public, central green.
Consistent with the recently updated Comprehensive Plan, Inova plans to build up to 1,000 residential units concentrated on three new blocks (2, 4 and 6). These blocks are located along Fountain Drive across from the Spectrum Shopping Center.
- Block 2 (which is located south of Baron Cameron Avenue) would be developed with 300 multi-family dwelling units or up to 90 attached townhomes.
- Block 4 would be developed with up to 320 multi-family units
- Block 6 (which is north of Bowman Town Drive) would be developed with up to 590 multi-family units
- In addition to this housing, the plan also allows for these three blocks to include up to 150,000 square feet in office, medical or retail space. Or, alternatively, these three blocks may only be developed with non-residential uses.
Fairfax County plans to build public facilities across five blocks:
- Block 1 (along Town Center Parkway south of Baron Cameron Avenue) is the location for a future elementary school
- Block 3 (along Town Center Parkway) is the site for the new Reston Regional Library, facing the central green.
- Block 5 is planned for the new Embry Rucker Shelter and the relocated North County Human Services building.
- Block 7 and 8 (south of Bowman Town Drive) will include a future recreation center and athletic field.
In 2023, I convened a community task force of surrounding residents that developed these agreed-upon locations for these facilities.
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Central Green: Overall, Reston Town Center North will provide 10-acres of open space consistent with the Comprehensive Plan’s guidance.
This commitment will be met through the redevelopment’s 3.5-acre community park called the Central Green, tree-save areas, streetscapes, the existing Edgewater Park (at the intersection of Town Center Parkway and Baron Cameron Avenue), and the future athletic field and recreation center.
When fully developed, the Central Green will offer an event plaza for concerts, performances and other events, a large lawn for outdoor activity and larger events, smaller lawn spaces, shaded walkways and seating, a location for a bikeshare station, and restroom facilities. (See illustration of the green's completed development below.)
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The green’s features were developed based on significant community input during the past few years. Over 380 residents answered a survey to provide their priorities and preferences for this community park, and I also held two town hall meetings.
The central green will be developed in phases, but it will be created during the first phase of the redevelopment. Initially, it will be built out and dedicated to the Board of Supervisors with lawn spaces, plantings, walkways, seating, and lights before the first building in the redevelopment is occupied. (See the illustration of the green's interim development below.) During this interim period before the green is fully developed, it could be used for farmers markets or other events. The green will be fully built out when additional blocks are developed.
| | Next steps: The Planning Commission will hear this rezoning application on July 22, and the Board of Supervisors is currently scheduled to hold its public hearing on Sept. 15. | | SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan Annual Update | | What’s happening: Yesterday, the Board’s Older Adults Committee, which I chair, received an annual update on the county’s progress on our SHAPE the Future of Aging Plan 2023-2028. While we’re making progress on the plan’s initiatives, county staff reported on two notable highlights: the expansion of the StrongerMemory℠ brain-health program and a new regional scam prevention campaign. | | |
StrongerMemory: Expanding a Brain Health Program
Fairfax County will expand the StrongerMemory℠ program, bringing it into the libraries this fall. This 12-week program is currently offered at the county’s 14 senior centers.
Developed by Goodwin Living, StrongerMemory℠ is a simple 30-minute daily program that engages the brain through reading aloud, writing by hand and completing basic math exercises. Compiled in a free workbook, these exercises stimulate the prefrontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for decision-making and recall.
Goodwin Living will roll out its program to libraries likely this September or October. They will pilot a facilitated group at Dolley Madison Library where older adults will engage in these exercises together, provide StrongerMemory℠ kits that may be checked out at library branches, and set up physical locations in libraries where patrons can take materials home with them or do the exercises there.
Research proven: Research shows that individuals who follow the StrongerMemory℠ program have measurable improvements in cognitive function, emotional well-being and social engagement. George Mason University published three scientific studies that document the program’s benefits.
Goodwin Living’s Jessica Fredericksen, who’s a SHAPE committee member, detailed some of these results yesterday. She said program participants with mild cognitive decline showed gains in the recall scores on the mini-MoCA test. (This is the same cognitive test that the President has said he’s now taken four times in a row with a “perfect score.”)
Free workbooks: These workbooks can help anyone who wants to keep their mind sharp or engage with loved ones who are experiencing early memory changes, including mild cognitive impairment, early dementia symptoms or normal age-related memory concerns. With support from Fairfax County’s SHAPE Plan, these workbooks were translated into six languages other than English. Print copies may be ordered for $17.50 each. Or download them online for free.
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Scam Prevention: “Pause. Question. Protect.”
The county is leading a regional campaign to help protect seniors from financial fraud and exploitation, one of the key initiatives in our SHAPE Plan. Local, state and federal agencies across the D.C. region will launch this public education campaign called “Pause. Question. Protect,” this fall.
The Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission led the campaign’s development, modeling it after the UK’s national scam prevention effort. Because scams aren’t limited by geographic boundaries — often times originating from overseas — a coordinated regional campaign benefits everyone.
3 Steps to Avoid Scams: Because scams are continually evolving, the campaign offers three simple steps to avoid getting defrauded: pause before acting on any unsolicited request, question whether the source is legitimate, and protect your personal information.
Background: Local, state and federal government agencies gathered two months ago to coordinate this campaign through the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments. City and county agencies, local police, and the U.S. Secret Service and FBI joined a kick-off meeting in April, and this regional group continues to meet monthly to move the campaign forward.
This regional campaign grew from last June’s Older Adults Committee meeting focused on fraud prevention. I had invited county representatives and an outside expert to present ideas on how to protect seniors from fraud. At that meeting, the Fairfax County Consumer Protection Commission’s chair showcased the UK’s education campaign as a possible model for Fairfax County. This idea germinated into the “Pause. Question. Protect.” campaign.
| | Two Volunteer Opportunities for Older Adults | | |
Volunteer to help others in our community while building friendships.
Join RSVP Northern Virginia
Are you age 55 or older and looking to make a difference? Volunteer with RSVP (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program) Northern Virginia. Join this virtual information session on Thursday, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. to learn more.
RSVP Northern Virginia connects volunteers age 55-plus to nonprofits across the community for monthly group service projects. The organization is part of AmeriCorps Seniors, which focuses on making public service a central part of the American experience.
Become a Shepherd Center Driver
The Shepherd Center of Northern Virginia needs volunteer drivers. Based on their schedule, drivers take older adults to medical appointments, grocery shopping, the bank, the library or on other errands. You’ll help the center’s clients who live in the Reston, Herndon, Vienna, Great Falls and Oakton areas.
If you can’t volunteer as a driver, there are also other ways you can help. Apply to become a volunteer. Or call the Shepherd Center to learn more about volunteering: 703-281-0538.
The Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia provides free transportation to older adults (age 50-plus), and it also offers other programs and services to help seniors to live full and productive lives while aging in place. This includes health and wellness classes, social events, minor home repairs and more.
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Meet the Mayor This Friday
Meet Mayor Linda Colbert as she holds office hours on Friday, June 5, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at The Virginian Restaurant, 169 Glyndon Street, S.E. Grab a cup of coffee with her and share what’s on your mind.
Quarterly Recycling Day is Saturday
Mark your calendar for the town’s next Quarterly Recycling Day on Saturday, June 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Northside Property Yard, 600 Mill St., NE. Residents can recycle used oil, anti-freeze, most electronics, scrap metal, and rechargeable batteries. Tires and hazardous materials are not accepted. To learn more, call 703-255-6383.
| | Stay Informed and In Touch | |
Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn
703-478-0283, TTY 711
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