Dear Neighbor,

Last night, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) hosted a public information meeting on the Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements Project. The in-person meeting reviewed the nearly decade-long planning process that has taken place, shared significant changes that have been made to the design in response to community feedback, and outlined the next steps. Participants also had the opportunity to see and discuss each design segment in detail.

During previous meetings and public comment periods, community concerns were raised about the amount of tree loss caused by earlier designs. I've urged VDOT to be flexible and creative in the design to minimize impacts on trees and surrounding neighborhoods.

I was pleased to see that they have made significant progress in preserving trees by:

• Incorporating segments of the existing trail into the new shared-use paths
• Consolidating stormwater management facilities into fewer locations
• Using retaining walls in key locations to reduce the need for grading and preserve tree buffers for adjacent neighborhoods
• Committing to provide new/replacement landscaping, including street trees

These changes will increase tree preservation by 68% (from 28% to 47%) within VDOT right-of-way. I want to thank all of the community members who have participated in the process to stress the need for flexibility and creative solutions to preserve trees.

Based on some of the comments heard last night, community members still have questions and concerns regarding the project. If you were not able to participate last night, or if your specific question was not addressed, I encourage you to review the project webpage. It hosts the presentation in several formats, including voice-over and PDF, and is also available in Spanish and Vietnamese.

There are several ways to provide feedback on this meeting until August 7:



• Submit comments to [email protected] - use "Braddock Road Multimodal Improvements" in the subject line
• Fill out the online comment form
• Mail the comment form to:

W. Calvin Britt

VDOT's Northern Virginia District

4975 Alliance Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030

There is also an optional demographic survey to provide more accessible meetings and address any issues faced at the public meeting.

National Night Out



Tuesday, August 1 is National Night Out (NNO).

NNO is an annual neighborhood-based crime prevention event on the first Tuesday of August from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

The evening is an opportunity to show neighborhood spirit and strengthen partnerships with local police, demonstrating a neighborhood commitment to fight crime.

Millions of neighbors take part in NNO across thousands of communities around the country, hosting block parties, festivals, parades, cookouts and various other community events with safety demonstrations, seminars, youth events, visits from emergency personnel, exhibits, and more.

You can find more information about National Night Out from Fairfax County Police or the official NNO website. Check with your homeowners or civic association to see if there are events scheduled in your neighborhood.

Yours in service,

Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw

Please share the newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news & updates.

Continue reading below for more information on:

• This Week's Braddock District Summer Entertainment Series Performers
• Automatic Real Estate Tax Payments
• Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's Biweekly Recap
• Enter the Park Authority’s Selfie Contest!
• Pinn Center Community Day
• School Supply Drive for FCPS Students
• Invasive Species Spotted in Northern VA
• FCPA Community Survey
• Nominate August's Braddock Citizen of the Month!
• Fentanyl Awareness and Resources

This Week's Braddock District Summer Entertainment Series Performers

7/28 - Royal Lake: Incendio

An exotic melody accompanies a desert caravan moving beneath a blazing sun. The sound of waves wash against a pristine South American beach. A lone flamenco guitar echoes through the cobbled streets of old Sevilla. And a lilting, three-quarter-time rhythm conjures images of the rolling green hills of Ireland. The music is cinema. It is sound given shape and color. This is the music of Incendio.

7/28 - Lake Accotink: The United States Army Blues Band Pershing’s Own

The U.S. Army Blues, part of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own,” is the premier jazz ensemble of the US Army. After informal beginnings in 1970, this 18-piece ensemble became an official element of the Army Band in 1972. The Army Blues strive to fulfill their mission through public concerts, educational outreach, and the preservation of the tradition of America’s unique art form: jazz.

7/29 - Wakefield Park: 123 Andrés

Andrés and Christina are 123 Andrés – Washington, DC's beloved Latin Grammy-winning music duo with catchy songs for kids, in Spanish and English. Come see why Billboard called them a "rockstar for little language learners"! 123 Andrés brings their singable tunes, humor and engaging and interactive show – transforming the park into a full family dance party. 

All performances are held outdoors, bring lawn chairs/blankets. In case of inclement weather, call the concert hotline at (703) 324-7469 before leaving home.

Cancellations are posted one hour prior to show time. Follow Supervisor Walkinshaw on social media for updates on cancellations as well.

Automatic Real Estate Tax Payments

Fairfax County Real Estate tax bills are mailed twice a year – for installments on July 28 and December 5.

You do not receive a bill if you have a mortgage with an escrow account; your bank pays the tax directly to the County.

The Department of Tax Administration (DTA) has noted that many residents are finishing the payment of their mortgages but have not set up automatic real estate tax payments, which may result in late payments.

DTA can assist you with setting up an automatic payment plan option including monthly, quarterly, or full lump sum annual payment. Learn more on DTA's website, or call DTA at (703) 222-8234.

Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's Biweekly Recap

The Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink held its third meeting on Monday, July 24 at the Fairfax County Government Center. County staff gave a presentation comparing and contrasting the Accotink Creek Watershed with other watersheds in Maryland and Virginia where there have been successful dredging operations. Task Force Chairman Sharon Bulova announced that subcommittees would be created to do more in-depth study in three areas: the value of Lake Accotink and Lake Accotink Park to the County; impacts of and issues with the County staff recommendation to not dredge, allow the lake and wetlands to return to nature, and proceed with a replanning of Lake Accotink Park; and options to consider other than traditional dredging. The Task Force also discussed questions they would like for a new consultant to explore regarding what a managed wetland or smaller lake option could include, look like, require in terms of maintenance, and cost.

The next meeting of the Task Force will be held on Monday, August 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 11 at the Government Center. It will include a presentation on the Lake Barcroft Watershed Improvement Project. The Task Force will also break into subcommittees to begin their work. Meetings are open to the public and interested community members are welcome to attend to observe the Task Force's work or livestream the meeting on Channel 16. A recording of the July 24 meeting is available here. Updates on the Task Force can be found on the Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink webpage.

As part of the celebration of National Park and Recreation Month, the Fairfax County Park Authority is holding a Selfie Contest until tomorrow, Friday, July 28. If you plan to join members of the community in a park, on a trail or at another park amenity, this contest is for you!

Contest entries will be accepted online until 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 28, in five categories:

• Sports and Fitness (fitness centers, golf, trail walking, running, skating, biking, athletics, etc.)
• Camps, Classes and Activities (organized FCPA programs, camps and activities, etc.)
• Water Activities (water parks, pools, boating, fishing, etc.)
• Leisure and Play (playgrounds, amusements, hiking, picnics, camping, etc.)
• Volunteer Service (service projects, volunteer groups, etc.)

Judges will select one winning entry per category and winners will be notified during the first week of August. Prizes include the choice of a Golf-themed or Water Mine-themed gift pack.

For complete contest rules and submission instructions, visit FCPA's website. Questions? Email the Park Authority.

Join Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and staff from the Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services to mark the 50th anniversary of the David R. Pinn Community Center on Saturday, August 5, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The event will include cake and a community photo to celebrate 50 years of the Pinn Center's longstanding feature as a centerpiece of the Sideburn community.

The Pinn Center is located at 10225 Zion Drive, Fairfax. More information can be found on the Facebook event.

School Supply Drive for FCPS Students

For more than 60,000 Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) students, the reality of back-to-school season is financially stressful. In the 2020-2021 school year, close to 1 in every 3 FCPS students (31%) received free or reduced-priced meals, an indicator that they, and their families, are living in need.

Every summer, Educate Fairfax conducts an annual giving campaign called "Collect for Kids." Funds raised through this effort help purchase school supplies for newcomers to FCPS who are economically disadvantaged or recently displaced, as well students who live in poverty.

For more information, or to donate, visit Educate Fairfax's donation page.

The Tree-of-Heaven, Ailanthus altissima, is a non-native species imported from China in the late 1700s and early 1800s. The tree matures rapidly, spreads aggressively, and is particularly damaging to our ecosystem because it poisons the soil around its roots, thereby preventing native trees and plants from growing nearby.  

In addition, this tree is a preferred food source for the invasive Spotted Lanternfly! What can you do? If you find the tree on your property, please take steps to remove it. It will only grow back if you simply cut it down, so be sure to kill it by destroying the root system with poison. Learn more about the safe and effective removal of this invasive on Plant NOVA Trees' website.

Spotted lanternfly identification information with links to the quarantine area can be found on the County's website. Keep an eye out for spotted lanternfly in Fairfax and report sightings with photos and address to [email protected] or to (703) 324-5304. The popular mobile app, iNaturalist, is an effective and efficient method for reporting a SLF sighting.

FCPA Community Survey

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking public input on the draft Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access (PROSA) Strategy report summary in preparation for the completion of the PROSA Strategy later this year. PROSA will provide a roadmap for improved park access and a balance of recreational experiences.

Building on the previous public engagement, staff is seeking community feedback on the proposed concepts included in the Draft PROSA Report Summary through participation in an online survey and/or at two virtual workshops scheduled this month.

The Draft PROSA Report Summary outlines several key areas of consideration and prioritization when it comes to park development and improvement planning, including park access, habitat connectivity, park experiences and equity. The outcomes of PROSA will inform the Capital Improvement Program (CIP), land acquisition and many other decisions once completed this year.

There are a few ways to participate:

• Complete the online survey. They survey is available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Korean, and Vietnamese.
• Additional languages are available by using the “Translate” button in the upper right-hand side of the survey.

You can learn more about PROSA on FCPA's website.

Do you know someone who lives in the Braddock District who exemplifies selflessness, displays a love for their community, has a passion for serving others, or volunteers their time to better the Braddock District?

Nominate them today to be recognized in Supervisor Walkinshaw's monthly newsletter, The Braddock Beacon.

The nomination deadline for August Citizen of the Month is Sunday, July 30, at 11:59 p.m.

Contact the Braddock District Office if you have any questions.

Fentanyl Awareness and Resources

Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) and the Fairfax County Opioid and Substance Use Task Force have been working to combat the problem of fentanyl in Fairfax County.

In recent years, fentanyl, a potent, synthetic opioid, has been found in drugs marketed to youth and adults and has become a concerning issue. FCPD works collaboratively with the Fairfax County Opioid and Substance Use Task Force to bring awareness to the fentanyl issue and deter drug use in our communities. To effectively safeguard families and protect children, it is essential for every community member to learn about fentanyl and share vital safety information with their loved ones about this potent drug.

FCPD works with Fairfax County partners to equip our community members with the tools and knowledge to prevent youth drug usage and keep our families safe.



Here are some tips to help protect your loved ones:

• Open Communication: Establish open and honest lines of communication with your children. Encourage them to share their experiences, concerns, and any encounters with drugs. Maintain a non-judgmental approach, as this will foster trust and make them more likely to seek guidance when needed.
• Secure Medications: Safeguard prescription medications at home, keeping them locked away and out of reach of children and teenagers. Dispose of expired or unused medications properly through safe at-home disposal methods or designated drop-off locations in your community.
• Education and Awareness: Educate yourself and your children about the dangers of drugs, including fentanyl. Stay informed about current drug trends and the risks associated with specific substances. Attend community workshops, seminars, and informational sessions hosted by law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, or community organizations.
• Sign up for a virtual training on how to recognize the signs and symptoms of an opioid overdose and administer naloxone nasal spray to reverse an opioid overdose. After completing the training, individuals 18 and older will receive Narcan, fentanyl test strips and treatment information.

If you or someone you know is experiencing substance use issues, there are numerous County resources available:

• If the situation is immediately life-threatening, call 911. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel carry medication that can prevent deaths from opioid overdose.
• Call the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) Entry & Referral line at (703) 383-8500, Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., to access behavioral health services, including substance use treatment services for youth and adults. 
• If it’s after business hours, call CSB Emergency Services at (703) 573-5679 or the Fairfax Detoxification Center at (703) 502-7000; both are available 24/7. 
• CSB Peer Outreach Response Team (PORT) provides outreach, engagement, and resource navigation to individuals who have serious opioid and other substance use challenges. If you or someone you know could benefit from PORT services, call (703) 559-3199.

Together we can safeguard our families, protect our children, and ensure a brighter future for Fairfax County. Learn more about what FCPD is doing to combat fentanyl and raise awareness.