Dear Neighbor,



This Saturday, April 1, is the first day of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Last year in Fairfax County, more than 3,600 children were involved with Child Protective Services. Effective prevention and early intervention programs can help children grow up in the supportive, stable and nurturing environments they deserve.

We have planted a pinwheel garden outside our office. Pinwheels symbolize a happy, healthy childhood, and are used as a national symbol for child abuse prevention.

For more information about Child Abuse Prevention Month, including resources and support, read more here.

Lake Accotink Dam Stream Crossing Project Update

The Lake Accotink Dam Stream Crossing is almost complete! 

The concrete and grading work are finished, but the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is waiting for handrail installation and final inspections. Once inspections are complete, FCPA plans to open the crossing by the end of April!

Lake Accotink Dam Maintenance Update

The first phase of the Lake Accotink Dam maintenance project involving debris removal from the top of the dam, is complete.

The next phase of work is set to begin within the next two weeks. This will require the lowering of the lake level by approximately two feet to replace the flashboards which control water flow through the spillway when it rises above crest level.

For several reasons, the lowering of the lake will need to be a slow, controlled process. There is no defined timeline for this phase, since lake levels can fluctuate based on spring rainstorms.

I will continue to relay updates from FCPA about these projects' progress as my office receives them.

One final reminder that the public comment period on the staff recommendation for Lake Accotink is open until this Saturday, April 1. I encourage you to respond to the community survey (which includes an option to submit a comment) or send a comment via email by Saturday to ensure that your voice is heard.

After the comment period has closed, the Board of Supervisors will receive a briefing on the status of the project, the community feedback received, and the options to move forward, including the option to dredge the lake.

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:

• FCPA Fees Increase April 1
• Real Estate Assessment Appeals due by April 3
• Braddock District Tax Relief Workshop
• Free SAT Practice Test on April 1
• April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
• Fairfax Founders Fund
• NVTC Seeking Transit Fellow
• West Springfield CAC April Community Engagement Meeting
• Intern in the Braddock District Office
• John Hudson Summer Internship
• Nominations Open for 2023 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved the 2023 Fee Adjustment Schedule at their March 22 meeting.

The Park Authority fees will increase in several areas. For a full list of what will be affected, please read more here or visit the fee proposal page on FCPA's website.

For more information, contact the FCPA Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling (703) 246-5092.

If you believe your home was assessed for more than fair market value, you can appeal your real estate assessment by Monday, April 3 at

4:30 p.m. 

Appeals should be based on either fair market value, lack of uniformity or errors in property description. An increase in value being too much in a single year is NOT a legal basis for an appeal.

More information about the process and how to appeal can be found on the Department of Tax Administration's Appeals page.

Appeals may also be submitted directly to the Board of Equalization of Real Estate Assessments (BOE). BOE appeals are due by June 1.

The Department of Tax Administration will be hosting their final tax relief workshop for the Braddock District on Tuesday, April 4 from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Braddock Hall (9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA).

Walk-ins will be taken if staff are available, but appointments are strongly recommended. Appointments can be made by emailing taxrelief@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Fairfax County Public Libraries are offering a free, full length online practice SAT test with the Princeton Review this Saturday, April 1.

A Zoom session begins at 11:00 a.m. and students will be able to take the practice test afterwards. For more information visit FCPL's website.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will be the victim of sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.

Sexual violence is a major public health, human rights and social justice issue that impacts every person in Fairfax County.

The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) is to raise public awareness about sexual violence, educate the community on how to prevent it and share resources available to those impacted by sexual assault.

On Tuesday, April 4, wear teal to show support for survivors of sexual violence.

Visit the Department of Family Services' website for 5 Ways to Talk about Sexual Assault Awareness Month or learn more about SAAM.

Fairfax County is looking for a few good entrepreneurs! The Fairfax County Department of Economic Initiatives have launched a million-dollar Fairfax Founders Fund (FFF) for early-stage tech companies that will provide up to $50,000 in capital to help start-ups develop their business and prepare for later-stage investment.



Applications open April 10. Learn more on the Founders Fund Page and join the applicant webinar on April 3 at 1:00 p.m.

The Northern Virginia Transportation Committee is seeking current or future students with an interest in the transit industry to gain valuable, real-world experience to apply to their Transit Fellow Program.

Based on the interests and experience of the applicant, they will have the opportunity to work closely with NVTC staff within one of their programs: WMATA, Commuter Choice, Transit Resource Center or Transit Technology – or with members of the Communications or Finance & Administration teams.

Applications received by 11:59 p.m. on March 31 will be prioritized. Submit application to opportunities@novatransit.org with the subject line "NVTC Transit Fellow Program." View more information here.

The West Springfield District Community Advisory Committee (CAC) will be hosting a Community Engagement Meeting on Tuesday, April 4, at 7:00 p.m.

These meetings offer the community a chance to communicate more effectively with officers of the Fairfax County Police Department. Jim Kirkpatrick from the Crime Solvers Program will be the guest speaker. He will be discussing Crime Solvers and how it helps the community.

The meeting will be held in person at the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield, VA). Consider signing up for the West Springfield CAC newsletter by emailing wscacmailbox@gmail.com.

CAC meetings are generally held on the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. and all ages are welcome to attend. If you have any questions, contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363.

Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw is seeking an Intern for Summer 2023 to aid the Braddock District office. Rising college freshmen through Class of 2023 college graduates, or those who are college age, are encouraged to apply.

Internship description and details on how to apply can be found here. If interested in applying, send resume (including two references and summer availability) to braddock@fairfaxcounty.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. on April 7.

The Fairfax Area Disability Services Board established an internship program for college students and recent graduates with disabilities.

The internship program provides participants with on-the-job experience, professional development, and training opportunities.

Any college student, law student, graduate student, or recent graduate who self-identifies as an individual with any type of disability is invited to apply. You will not be required to disclose your specific disability; however, your application for this program will signify that you consider yourself a person with a disability.

For more information, click here or check out the FAQ page.

The awards program, founded in 2001, honors county youth, coaches and parents in each magisterial district for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, this program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship and community service. 

Nominations for this year's awards are due by August 1, 2023. To nominate an athlete, coach or parent, visit Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards.