Evening star., 1955-05-21
Fairfax Facts

On May 13 you published q
letter signed by Jeanne Fiske
Swanson in which this ques-
ton is asked: HAS a single
large landowner in Fairfax
County offered any of his land
to the community for a public
park (Which is so badly
needed or a recreational CEN
ter for the young people?"
The answer is "Yes." Far
too little, it is true; but let
us give credit where credit is
due.
The first donation to the
Fairfax County Park Author
ity was from Eakin Properties,
Inc, and consists of 38 acres
along Accotink Creek near
Pine Ridge subdivision. This
is mostly overflow land, but it
has many beautiful trees and
offers good possibilities for an
attractive park as money be-
comes available for its devel-
opment. A start has been made
on the development of a picnic
area, and this work can be car
ried forward with some of the
funds which will be available
under next years park budget
Of $4,000. approved by the
Board of Supervisors. Eakin
Properties has more recently
donated an additional 6.5 acres
on Trips Run.
The second largest donation
from point of view of acreage
was made by the Crestwood
Development Corp. and con-
sists of 27 acres in CreStwood
subdivision near Springfield.
1t includes a fiat hilltop which
would have been suitable for
subdivision purposes, as well
as a steep. wooded valley with
a small stream. This stream
is to be damned for a fish,
pond with funds from the ap-
proved Park Authority budget
for the coming fiscal year. The
Crestwood Corp. is construct
ing four entrances to this park
Cat a sacrifice of lots) and has
agreed to assist materially in
the development of the area.
Luria Brothers has donated
Al acres on Holmes Run in
Holmes Run Acres subdivision.
While this is mostly overflow
land, it is being filled in,
leveled, seeded with grass and
otherwise improved by the
Holmes Run Acres Citizens
Association, with the co-opera-
ton of the G. & G. Construc-
ton Co., who are building in
the area. Plans include a soft
ball diamond, a junior league
diamond, an archery range, as
well as a picnic area. Through
the cooperation of the local
citizens the Park Authority
hopes to make this most at
tractive local recreational CEN
ter, badly needed by this sub
division.
In addition, there are three
smaller parks: 2.5 acres in
Franklin Forest subdivision
donated by Lonnie Muters-
baugh and Ashton Jones, jr.;
is acres in Bel Air subdivision,
donated by Randolph D. Rouse,
and 2.5 acres in Springvale
subdivision. donated by Vernon
Lynch & Sons.
While these parks are small,
they have attractive features
and. with local cooperation,
can be made into useful areas
for the enjoyment and relaxa-
ton of the nearby residents.
The Park Authority has been
in existence only a few years,
but with these six areas and
Great Falls Park. which was
purchased by the county, a
small start has been made.
With the current heavy de-
mands on tax funds, it is not
expected that much money can
be spent for land purchase, but
it is hoped that many more
donations of the kind men
toned will be made by indi-
viduals and corporations, so
that the recreational areas
which will be so badly needed
in the future can be developed.
John T. Lynch,
Member, Fairfax County