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6.18.25
Dear Neighbor,
With the summer solstice approaching, here are a few reminders and resources for members of the community to stay happy and healthy this season!
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Car Safety
Never leave your children or pets alone in cars. Be sure to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle to ensure no child has been left behind.
Fairfax County Guide to Summer 2025
There are plenty of things to do in the County this summer. View the County’s Guide to Summer to learn more, including safety tips and information about the Fairfax County Public Library’s Summer Reading Adventure.
Arts in the Parks Concerts Continue
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Last weekend, over 150 people joined us for the first event in our Arts in the Parks Children's Entertainment Series!
The series will continue every Saturday at 10:00 a.m. at Wakefield Park (8100 Braddock Road, Annandale) until August 16. This Saturday, Rainbow Rock Band will perform.
In the event of inclement weather, call the FCPA concert hotline at (571) 202-SHOW (7469) before leaving home. Cancellations will be posted online and via hotline one hour before a show's scheduled start time.
At each event, we will raffle off two child-sized Braddock District Arts in the Parks t-shirts, so be sure to pick up a raffle ticket before the performances start!
We need volunteers to assist with our t-shirt raffles and other activities. Email Alejandra Caballero at braddockevents@fairfaxcounty.gov if you are interested in volunteering at any of the shows.
All performances in the Arts in the Parks series are free to attend and are open to the public. I hope you'll join us this summer!
June is National Immigrant Heritage Month!
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June is Immigrant Heritage Month, a time to reflect on our diverse nation, and County, of immigrants.
In Fairfax County, over 30 percent of residents are immigrants, creating a uniquely rich tapestry of diversity. People from around the globe have found a home and continue to thrive here; this month, we celebrate their contributions to our community.
Earlier this month, the Board of Supervisors recognized Immigrant Heritage Month. At a time when immigrants of all statuses are being targeted, we must stand firmly alongside our neighbors and make sure they know that Fairfax County supports and protects immigrants.
View Celebrate Fairfax’s guide to Immigrant Heritage Month for details on numerous events, celebrations, and activities happening throughout the County.
Juneteenth
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Tomorrow is Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day and Emancipation Day.
The holiday's name refers to the day in 1865 when enslaved Black people in Texas were told that they had been freed. These 250,000 enslaved African Americans were the last to be given freedom by the Emancipation Proclamation-two years after it was issued, and months after the Civil War had ended.
The Fairfax County Park Authority commemorates Juneteenth with a series of programs, tours, and lectures. Visit the County’s Juneteenth website to learn more about the history and legacy of Juneteenth in our community. Arlington Magazine's website has a list of additional Juneteenth events in our region.
Attend an upcoming event in Fairfax County to recognize Juneteenth:
- Juneteenth Celebration
- Thursday, June 19 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly)
My office and other County offices will be closed tomorrow in observance of the holiday. The Fairfax Connector will follow their Holiday Weekday service schedule; read more about the County's operating status.
| | Supervisor James R. Walkinshaw | | Please share this newsletter with your friends and neighbors. If this email was forwarded to you, consider subscribing to receive Braddock District news and updates. | | |
Continue reading below for more information on:
- Long Branch Stream Valley Trail Construction
- Algae Bloom in Burke Lake
- Fairfax County Park Authority Scholarships
- Free USDA Summer Meals
- Friends of Trees Awards Nominations Open Through July 31
- Pet Adoption Spotlight: Blakey!
| | Long Branch Stream Valley Trail Construction | | |
The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin construction on the Long Branch Stream Valley Trail, enhancing one of the County’s most popular trails. Work is expected to begin in late June or early July 2025. Completion is anticipated by the end of summer 2025.
This project focuses on improving the trail segment between Woodland Way and Wakefield Chapel Road. The existing gravel trail will be paved and new stormwater culverts will be installed to support long-term durability and environmental management.
Residents and park users may experience occasional construction traffic entering and exiting the area via Woodland Way and Wakefield Chapel Road. All construction will comply with the Fairfax County Noise Ordinance and will occur from 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. on weekdays, with potential work on weekends and holidays from 9:00 a.m. – 9 p.m. as needed.
For more information, visit the Long Branch Stream Valley webpage. Please contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov with any questions regarding the project.
| | Algae Bloom in Burke Lake | | |
A blue-green algae bloom has been identified at Burke Lake. Blue-green algae can produce harmful toxins that pose serious health risks to people and animals. Fairfax County Park Authority is monitoring the situation and coordinating with local and state health officials.
The Fairfax County Park Authority encourages residents to keep the following guidance in mind:
- Avoid contact with the water, including swimming, wading, and letting pets enter the lake
- Keep pets away from the shoreline and do not allow them to drink from the lake
- Individuals with respiratory sensitivities should avoid prolonged exposure near the water
Please check the Parks Alert webpage before visiting Burke Lake. Additional information can be found on the Virginia Department of Health website.
| | Fairfax County Park Authority Scholarships | | |
Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers scholarships for certain classes to eligible recipients. If approved, scholarship recipients pay a $15 processing fee for a select class and can get entry into one class per quarter.
The following individuals may qualify to receive a scholarship:
- Dependent children (under the age of 18) who receive certain types of public assistance
- Adults with disabilities who meet income thresholds
- Seniors who meet income thresholds
For more information about scholarship eligibility, how to apply, and more, visit FCPA's Scholarships site.
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Fairfax County Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) is participating in the Summer Food Service Program.
Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided to children enrolled in Camp Fairfax (rising 1st-7th graders) and Teens in Action (rising 7th-12th graders). Breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack will be provided.
Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service. Children must remain onsite while consuming their meals.
| | Friends of Trees Awards Nominations Open Through July 31 | | |
The Fairfax County Tree Commission is accepting nominations for this year’s Friends of Trees Awards until July 31.
Since 1999, the Friends of Trees awards have highlighted exceptional and innovative tree conservation actions in the County. Individuals and organizations can be nominated (or self-nominated) for various tree-related projects or programs that have demonstrated outstanding conservation-based actions to preserve, protect, or plant trees.
Nominees must meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Protect and preserve existing trees and associated habitats.
- Increase Fairfax County’s tree canopy and its related habitats.
- Educate and inspire people to plant more trees and properly maintain them
- Convey an understanding of both the value and benefits of trees.
- Developers who go “above and beyond” Fairfax County requirements to preserve and protect trees and associated habitats.
Nomination categories include:
- Individual Volunteer
- Non-profit Group or Business
- For-profit Company
- Development Community
Each category highlights the achievements and contributions of individuals and groups who dedicated their time and effort to preserving tree life in our community. Nominations are reviewed by the Tree Commission and Urban and Community Forestry Division Staff. Winners will be announced and celebrated in the fall of 2025 and recognized by the Board of Supervisors.
Visit the Friends of Trees Awards website for more information about these awards and to find online nomination forms. For questions, please email treecommission@fairfaxcounty.gov.
| | Pet Adoption Spotlight: Blakey! | | |
Meet Blakey!
Located at the Lorton Campus (8875 Lorton Road, Lorton), Blakey is a gentle soul looking for a quiet, loving home to spend her golden years!
At 16 years old, she's seen a lot in her life and deserves a cozy spot to call her own. While not much is known about her past, Blakey is a shy girl who just needs a little time and patience to come out of her shell.
Once she feels safe and comfortable, Blakey is said to warm up and enjoy the company of kind-hearted people. She would thrive in a calm environment where she can build trust at her own pace and enjoy the simple pleasures-like a soft bed, a sunny window, and gentle companionship.
If you have a quiet home and a big heart, Blakey might just be your perfect match. She's ready to find someone who will give her the love and understanding she deserves!
Could you be the one to give Blakey her happily ever after?
Visit the Fairfax County Animal Shelter's website for more information about Blakey or to view any of the other adoptable pets.
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