Congratulations! After considering many wonderful options, you chose Reston for your home. As your new neighbors, we welcome you. The timing of your arrival in Reston could not be better!
Today Reston is known as one of the best places in the country to both raise a family and to retire. Reston is the second largest employment center in Virginia, with unrivaled opportunities to work close to home. Reston has assets including over 1,300 acres of open space, 55 miles of trails and pathways and nationally recognized environmental education programs.
One of the largest homeowners associations in the United States, Reston Association (RA) just announced achieving a fund-raising goal of $1.5 million to build Nature House, Reston’s environmental education center. For information visit www.reston.org.
Reston’s indoor recreational and cultural center is the Reston Community Center. RCC offers more than 1,800 positive, self-development experiences for all people living and working in Reston. For information visit www.restoncommunitycenter.com.
The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) enriches community life by promoting involvement and excellence in the visual arts. Its Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is now the top-rated annual juried arts festival in the United States. For information visit www.restonarts.org.
The Initiative for Public Art – Reston, Inc. (IPAR) was organized by Reston’s key community and artistic organizations to fulfill founder Robert E. Simon’s vision to integrate art into Reston’s public spaces. IPAR has raised approximately $200,000 and retained two nationally recognized pubic art consultants to develop a world class public art master plan for Reston. When our public art master plan is completed later this year, Reston will become the first non-incorporated jurisdiction in the United States to complete a public art master plan. For information and to take a public art survey, visit www.publicartreston.org.
South Lakes High School (SLHS) is currently completing a $42.8 million renovation in time for the 2008-2009 school year. Students there speak over 65 languages and its International Baccalaureate program truly prepares students for the world. For information, visit www.fcps.edu/SouthLakesHS.
Founded in 1970 by area religious organizations to encourage the development of affordable housing, Reston Interfaith is a nonprofit organization that promotes self-sufficiency by providing support and advocacy for those in need of food, shelter, affordable housing, quality child care and other human services. For information visit www.restoninterfaith.org.
Located in Reston Town Center, Reston Hospital Center (RHC) provides the ultimate in community health care and is celebrating its 20th anniversary. RHC has recently received national recognition for attentive patient care and nursing excellence. For information visit www.restonhospital.com.
The internationally-celebrated Reston Town Center District is the urban core of Reston with office, retail, hotel and residential amenities. Its pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, parks, squares, fountains and sculptures have won more than 50 national and regional awards.
While there is much more to explore, I hope this provides a glimpse of why this is the most exciting time to be a part of the Reston community since our founding. All organizations in Reston welcome your interest, participation and involvement. On behalf of our community, I invite you to take advantage of all that Reston has to offer.
Welcome home!
<b>Joe Ritchey </b>