Dear Newcomers:
Reston was planned by Robert E. Simon, and thanks to a fortunate dinner conversation with his mother; our community is named after him, RES+ton. I think we can all agree this is much better than the name proposed back in 1960 by Safire Public Relations — "Simon City."
Bob Simon felt that communities had diffused into "separate, unrelated hunks without focus, identity or community life, that exist because of the subdivision's separation from commercial and recreational facilities." Bob posited that: "Mixed land use reduces the distance between home and offices, stores, community facilities and recreation. It provides day and night use of the same areas and facilities, which is more efficient economically, more interesting aesthetically, and safer." Bob was looking to create a way of living not just a place to live. The result is an innovative response to typical patterns of development that create a dependency on the automobile and detract from our quality of life.
The 1961, Reston Master Plan called for seven village centers providing shops, offices, housing and community facilities. Each village center was intended to serve 10,000 to 12,000 people as a focal point for neighborhoods, providing a mix of high-density housing, shops and offices. The vision for Reston Town Center was also established which, when built, would provide for Reston's expected 80,000 population, and the 50,000 residents of Town Center.
Nearly 42 percent of Reston is usable open space. One of the distinct differences between Reston and other developments is that open space is accessible to all Reston residents on a daily basis. That is to say that our open space is not a 1,000-acre preserve that you visit once a week or once a month, it is a series of places along a network of trails. Bob had a vision of trails with the character of urban streets, vibrant with people on the way to work and school and shopping — with the exception of the automobile.
There is a lot to discover along these pathways in Reston. There are 64 miles of trails in Reston and there are tunnels, bridges, artwork, playgrounds and most important, your neighbors along the way. The Reston Association publishes a map that includes trails and places that might otherwise be difficult to find. You can pick up a copy of the Reston map at the Reston Storefront Museum. We are located in Reston's first village, Lake Anne on Washington Plaza. You might want to visit us Saturday morning and take advantage of the farmer's market hosted by John Lovaas, the flea market sponsored by The Friends of Lake Anne, and the museum's art program for children conducted by Pat MacIntyre.
A great Web site for trails is: http://www.restonpaths.com, hosted by Doug Pew. Doug is one of our regular guides for the museum's Sunday Walking Tour program run by Bill and Bonnie Whyte, Squire Muse and Nancy Davis. Be sure to sign up for our walks when you visit the museum. David Wisbey, a museum volunteer, has recently finished a detailed map of Lake Anne and the surrounding area, future maps and guidebooks are in the works.
Once you get to know your neighborhood I hope that you will get involved in the community. You could join you local neighborhood board or stop by the Reston Association or the Museum and ask about ways to make Reston a better place to live, work and play, by serving the community.
Harry Hilton,
Executive Director
Reston Historic Trust