Dear Neighbor,

Happy 4th of July weekend! 247 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Americans continue to come together on July 4th to celebrate our nation’s independence and rededicate ourselves to the ideals laid out in our founding documents.

I'm looking forward to participating in the City of Fairfax Independence Day and Little Run Citizen Association's parades and joining other neighborhood events!

While celebrating the holiday, please keep in mind that fireworks are inherently dangerous. The Fairfax Fire and Rescue Department has released safety tips for firework use; take a moment to read this before setting off any fireworks, even sparklers! A comprehensive list of fireworks considered permissible in Virginia is available from the State Fire Marshal.

July 4th Celebrations in Fairfax

There are several local celebrations this weekend and on Tuesday for Independence Day.

• Saturday, July 1:
• Burke Lake Golf Center is hosting an 18-hole Red, White and Blue Golf Tournament beginning at 9:00 a.m. for teams of two. Players must be at least seven years old to participate. Learn more about rules and how to register here.
• The Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton will host an Independence Day Celebration (including fireworks and music) beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase here.
• Lake Fairfax Park will be holding a fireworks show expected to start shortly after 9:00 p.m. Buy tickets or read more.
• The City of Fairfax's Evening Fireworks Show is on Sunday, July 2 at Fairfax High School, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Program information can be found here.
• The City of Fairfax's Independence Day Parade begins at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 4. Information about the parade is available here.

My office and other County offices will be closed on Tuesday in observance of the holiday. The Fairfax Connector will follow their Saturday schedule; more information about the County's operating status is available here.

Braddock Summer Entertainment Series

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:

• Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's First Meeting
• Planting with FLAP in Pollinator Garden
• Car Seat Saturday
• Neighborhood Watch Training
• Avoid Extreme Heat this Summer in County Cooling Centers
• Fairfax's Guide to Summer
• Lake Accotink Playground Update
• New Bike Maps Available
• Summer School Grounds Use
• Extreme Weather Preparedness
• Elly Doyle Service Awards Nominations
• Nominate July's Braddock Citizen of the Month!
• Virginia Energy Assistance Program

Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink's First Meeting

The first meeting of the Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink was held on Monday. The Task Force is chaired by former Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova. Membership includes former Supervisor John Cook, representatives of the surrounding neighborhoods, greater community, environmental and nonprofit organizations, and a representative of the Park Authority.

The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 11 at the Government Center.

The biweekly 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 first meeting is available here. Updates on the Task Force can be found here.

Planting with FLAP in Pollinator Garden

The Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) need your help to replace pollinator plants in the Lake Accotink Park Pollinator Garden (adjacent to the marina) tomorrow, June 30 at 9:00 a.m. Register here.

SERVICE HOURS PROVIDED. If you have questions, email FLAP.

Car Seat Saturday

This Saturday, July 1 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., the West Springfield Station will host their monthly Car Seat Saturday.

These car seat inspections are free and available on a first come, first serve basis.

The seat will be properly re-installed if necessary, and you will learn how to install the seat properly in the future.

Reach out to MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov if you have questions.

The West Springfield District Station will be hosting a Neighborhood Watch training on Thursday, July 6 at 6:30 p.m. 

This training is required before you may participate in the Neighborhood Watch Program and is only required once, unless you would like a refresher or have questions. 

The meeting will be held in person at the West Springfield District Station (6140 Rolling Road, Springfield).

Contact MPO Tony Capizzi at (703) 277-2363 or Anthony.capizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions

As we begin to experience the hottest days of summer, it’s important to know that Fairfax County provides locations for residents to stay cool while out for business or recreational purposes in the community. In addition to shopping malls, stores or movie theaters, you may also use the following county facilities designated as Cooling Centers to escape the heat during operating hours, including:

1. Libraries
2. Community Centers
3. REC Centers
4. Human Services Regional Offices
5. Shelters are available for people experiencing homelessness.

You are encouraged to first check that locations are open before you arrive. Consider using the Fairfax Connector BusTracker to plan your visit. Stay safe and cool!

Fairfax's Guide to Summer

There are a variety of summer activities available in Fairfax County. From water parks, pools, carousels and mini golf to Fairfax County Park Authority Day Camps and Library Reading Adventures, there will not be a single boring day this summer!

Additionally, Fairfax County operates a Free Summer Meals for Kids Program. This program provides nutritious meals to children aged 5 to 18 throughout the summer.

Check out the Fairfax County Guide to Summer for more information about these activities and resources. Make sure to stay safe and have fun!

The Fairfax County Park Authority is making progress toward the installation of new playground equipment at Lake Accotink Park.

The installation of playground equipment is anticipated to begin this September and be completed during the month of October 2023. If you haven’t yet viewed the upgraded features to be included in the new playground, you can preview them here. 

In the last 20 years, there’s been a significant increase in bicycling in the County. The Bike Fairfax program, part of the Fairfax County Department of Transportation, is working to improve and expand cycling facilities, accelerate the implementation of projects, and enhance the overall environment for cycling. If you need a hard copy of the Fairfax County Bike Map, you may pick one up in Spanish or English from our Braddock District office or view the map online here.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors adopted the County's first Bicycle Master Plan in 2014.

Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) blacktops, playgrounds, outdoor basketball and tennis courts, and tracks are available for free use by individuals. These school grounds are available to the community from the close of the school day to sundown on weekdays and dawn to dusk on weekends, except when being used for other programs. Organized groups can use these spaces by paying a rental fee.

These facilities are to be shared with anyone who wishes to use them! Please leave facilities as you found them and remove any debris. Review the FCPS webpage for more information.

The deadline for the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards nominations is around the corner! There are six different awards for consideration this year. The awards recognize those who have made outstanding volunteer contributions to the Fairfax County Park Authority over the last year. Volunteers are crucial for the operation of the park system.

Anyone can submit a nomination, and the deadline for nominations has been extended to June 30. Award recipients will be honored later this fall. Submit your nomination today on the Park Authority'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 July Citizen of the Month is tomorrow, Friday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m.

Contact the Braddock District Office if you have any questions.

The Virginia Energy Assistance Program (EAP) assists low-income households in meeting their immediate home energy needs. To be eligible, households must have a heating or cooling expense and gross monthly income may not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Information about the U.S. federal poverty guidelines used to determine financial eligibility can be found on The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) webpage.

Applications for fuel, crisis, cooling, and weatherization assistance are being accepted until August 15 at the Fairfax Department of Social Services (12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax).

For application information about each specific program, please visit the Federal Benefits website.