November 18, 2020

Dear Neighbor,
Today, November 18, at 7:00 p.m. the Braddock District Council and I will be hosting a virtual meeting with the community to discuss topics of interest, express our goals, and answer your questions. The virtual meeting link is below in the advisory, but you can also call in by phone if you would prefer. I hope to see everyone at our first community roundtable tonight!
On Sunday, November 15, Governor Northam's actions to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Virginia were enacted. These actions include:

  • a limit of 25 individuals for in-person gatherings.
  • an expanded state mandate ( including expansion of the mask mandate requiring all Virginians aged 5 and over to wear a face covering while in indoor public spaces)
  • an on-site alcohol curfew.
  • increased enforcement within essential retail businesses.

You can read the Governor's full press release on his website.

It's imperative that we continue to follow Virginia Department of Health and Fairfax County Health Department COVID-19 guidelines. It's equally important for college students who are returning home for the holidays to plan a safe return. Make sure to stay informed and share this plan with your student in order to stay healthy.
In other news, the Fairfax County Park Authority began work on the Lake Accotink Park Trail repair project. The work takes place along the trail section from the Danbury Forest Drive entrance to the dam spillway. Most of the trail between Danbury and the spillway is unpaved. This project will only fix existing surfaces. No additional paving will take place. During the renovation, the trail will generally remain open.
Yours in service,
Supervisor James Walkinshaw
P.S. Forward this message to your neighbors in Braddock District! Residents can use our sign up feature or email [email protected] to subscribe to the monthly Braddock Beacon newsletter and Advisories like this.
Braddock District Council Meeting
For the past several years, the Braddock District Council and the Braddock District Supervisor’s Office have joined together to host a meeting with community leaders to share concerns and goals, and to ask questions. Supervisor Walkinshaw has expressed his interest in continuing this yearly event despite COVID-19, and thankfully it can be done in a virtual format using Zoom.

The Braddock District Council has set up the meeting, and the information is as follows:

Topic: Braddock District Council November 2020
Meeting Time: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 7:00 p.m. (Zoom connection opens at 6:30 p.m. for attendees to check audio/video settings)
URL: Click here to join (Click the Blue "Launch Meeting" Button)
Meeting ID: 870 5961 0790
Passcode: 470276
Dial In: (301)715-8592 (audio only)

Join us for this first roundtable with Supervisor Walkinshaw!
COVID-19 Holiday Health Guidelines
As the Thanksgiving and winter holidays approach, many residents may be wondering how to celebrate safely this season. While travel and large gatherings are typically common during this time of year, it is vital to remember that we all have an important role to play in slowing the spread of COVID-19.

We encourage you to make this your most relaxing Thanksgiving ever by following the guidelines below.

Higher-risk activities that are not recommended this year include:
  • Going shopping in crowded stores just before, on or after Thanksgiving.
  • Participating or being a spectator at a crowded race.
  • Attending crowded parades.
  • Attending large indoor gatherings with people from outside of your household.

Some additional alternatives that have been determined to have a moderate level of risk include:
  • Having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends who live in your community.
  • Visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching produce, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing.
  • Attending small outdoor sports events with safety precautions in place.

Activities for the upcoming holiday that are considered lower risk include:
  • Having a small dinner with people who live in your household.
  • Having a virtual dinner and sharing recipes with friends and family.
  • Preparing recipes for family and neighbors and delivering them in a way that doesn’t involve contact with others. This is a great option for sharing the holiday spirit with those at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
  • Shopping online (rather than in person) on the day after Thanksgiving and other sales holidays.
  • Watching sports events, parades and movies from home.
Lake Accotink Trail Repair Work
The Fairfax County Park Authority began work on the Lake Accotink Park Trail repair project. The work includes milling existing asphalt trail, overlaying existing asphalt trail with new asphalt, adding stone and grading the rough gravel sections, and shoulder restoration.

Important Notice: Most of the trail between Danbury and the spillway is unpaved. This project will only fix existing surfaces. No additional paving will take place.

During the renovation, the trail will generally remain open. However, there will be significant disruptions to users as the crews are working. Tibbs, the contractor for this project, will route trail users around the work area when possible, but at times, users may be asked to stop temporarily while work is progressing.

For more information, please contact Construction Maintenance Project Manager Karen Kressin at (571) 789-6697, or e-mail [email protected].
Accotink Creek Stream
Restoration Project Update
Construction work along the main stem of Accotink Creek and a secondary channel at Wakefield Park is also set to begin. The project area is located west of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail (GCCCT) and north of Braddock Road on Park Authority’s Wakefield Park within the Braddock District.

This is a pilot project that will employ a unique design approach to trap sediment and achieve restoration objectives, including stream stabilization, water quality improvements, aquatic and riparian habitat enhancement and reconnection of the channel and its floodplain.

Wakefield Park will remain open for the duration of this project; however, for safety reasons, temporary closure of the natural surface trail adjacent to the project limit is necessary until the work is complete. Intermittent closure of the GCCT is also anticipated to provide safe passage of construction materials in and out of the work zone. Construction is projected to last through July 2021.

Additional details for the project can be found at the Accotink Creek at Wakefield Park Stream Restoration site.
Virtual Paint and Wellness Night
Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness on Friday, December 18, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for their Virtual Youth and Young Adult Paint and Wellness Night. This event will include two George Washington University Art Therapy students who will lead a paint activity allowing participants to express their emotions and connect with other teens and young adults before the holidays. Anyone from ages 13 to 25 is welcome to attend this virtual event.

Art supplies will be provided at no cost to participants who register by December 1. Make sure to register today. If you have additional questions email [email protected].
Upcoming Local Food Drives
The Braddock Team has compiled a list of local community food drives taking place in November. Consider donating nonperishable food items to help local impoverished families enjoy a great holiday season

  • Eagle Scout candidate, Michael Sorenson, of Boy Scout Troop 1966, will be hosting a no contact food drive on Saturday, November 21, from 12:00 p.m. to 3;00 p.m. at 4911 Ox Road, Fairfax, Virginia, to benefit the patrons of the Salvation Army Food Pantry. This food drive is part of his Boy Scout of America (BSA) Eagle Scout project. Donations of any size are welcome. 

  • Consider donating nonperishable food items to St. Matthew's UMC, located at 8617 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003. You can donate food Monday - Thursday, from 9am - 3pm. Needed items are: Canned meats, canned fruits, canned vegetables, cold cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, and diapers. 

  • Little River United Church of Christ located at 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Virginia, 22003 has food donations every Wednesday from 1:00 p.m. through 4:00 p.m. at the bin out front of the building. Non-perishable food, paper products, diapers, personal care items are being collected. 

  • St. Mary of Sorrows, 5222 Sideburn Road, Fairfax, Virginia, 22032, has a food pantry that is available to willing to donate to families that have food insecurities. As Christina mentioned, donations can be dropped off on Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at door #4 in the back of the church. Special arrangements can also be made by contacting [email protected] or (703) 978-1147. Most needed items are canned chicken and tuna, cooking oil, white rice, cereal, pancake mix, pancake syrup, sugar, diced tomatoes, canned fruit, and canned soups.

  • Annandale United Methodist Church Mission located at 7901 Heritage Drive is looking for food donations as well. They are in need of the following items: 1 lb. boxes of spaghetti, 1 lb. packages of pasta sauce, 20 oz cans of dried beans, 1 lb. bags of white rice, 1 lb. bags of chunky soup, 7 oz soups (Chef Boyardee, chili, beef stew, etc.); tuna, mac & cheese, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, can of beans, 15 oz (no pork) can of vegetables, 15 oz (no green beans); can of corn, 15 oz; can of fruit, 15 oz; can of diced tomatoes, 15 oz; can of tomato sauce, 15 oz; ramen noodles, package; sturdy paper grocery bags with handles or nylon tote bags. Drop off donations in the boxes near the red double doors at the Mission Center at 7901 Heritage Drive. Or contact Betsy Clevenger at [email protected].
Community Meeting for Sluggers
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) will hold a virtual community meeting today, Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at 7:00 p.m., to present a plan for parking relocation during construction of the Springfield Community Business Center Commuter Parking Garage project. 

While this is not in the Braddock District, many Burke Area residents are users of the existing commuter lot.

This meeting will focus on plans for relocation of the slugging lines during the construction work, anticipated to begin in December 2020/January 2021. Two slugging lines will be relocated to the Springfield United Methodist Church and the Springfield Town Center Frontier Garage prior to the construction. The meeting will include an opportunity for questions from the public. The meeting will be recorded and will be available to view on the project webpage within a few days.
Make sure to register to attend the Virtual Community Meeting.

Or Dial In: 1-415-655-0001 or 1-844-621-3956 (toll free); Access code: 173 765 2358

Comments are due Friday, December 4. Ways to submit comments, questions, or feedback:

  • Online via red feedback form link at the bottom of the project webpage
  • Email Caijun Luo, Project Manager
  • Write to: FCDOT, Attn: Springfield CBC Garage Feedback, 4050 Legato Road, Suite 400, Fairfax, VA 22033
  • By phone: (703) 877-5673; TTY 711
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