The Stratton Woods Park in Reston has several sport related sites including soccer and softball fields. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
Fairfax County Park Authority will dedicate new outdoor racquetball and courts at Reston’s Stratton Woods Park on Saturday, May 16. The public is invited to hear remarks, enjoy light refreshments and observe a demonstration by nationally-ranked players from the Ladies Professional Racquetball Tour and the United States Racquetball Association.
Adjacent to Reston, the Park Authority acquired the 30.7 acres park in 1989 with the purpose of it being a location for sports and outdoor activities. Park Authority Board Chairman Bill Bouie, a resident of Reston and a nationally-ranked racquetball player said, “These new courts give us a competitive facility for those of us who love racquetball and handball. I am thrilled we could make that happen with such a first class facility.”
The $644,000 project includes the installation of a racquetball and handball court complex, relocation of the volleyball court, demolition of one basketball court, as well as site improvements and landscaping. Revenues from an onsite cell phone monopole helped finance the new courts. Cell phone companies pay leasing fees to schools and parks in return for being able to add a tower on the property.
“For Supervisor Cathy Hudgins and myself, the real pleasure is in seeing Stratton Woods Park built out to its full master plan specs and knowing that the great majority of the funding to do so came from proffers and telecom fees and not taxes,” said Bouie.
In FCPA parks that have monopoles, revenue received is reinvested in the parks, with 30 percent going to the park authority Natural Resource program. Last year more than $250,000 was generated for the Natural Resource programs at the Park Authority. The ribbon cutting ceremony at Stratton Woods Park will take place on May 16 at 10 a.m. at Stratton Woods Park, 2431 Fox Mill Road.
The weekend of May 9 and 10, two of Reston Association’s 15 outdoor swimming pools opened. This included Ridge Heights heated pool and Lake Thoreau pool and spa. The hours for both pools are 1-8 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends.
To improve and enhance the member experience, the North Shore heated pool is undergoing a front entrance improvement project and is scheduled to open Saturday, May 23. If the project is completed earlier than anticipated, Reston Association will announce the new date. Lake Thoreau Pool was chosen to accommodate both spa and lap swim users.
IN APRIL of this year Fairfax County Park Authority unanimously voted in favor of a land deal for an indoor recreation center and community space at the area known as Town Center North. The recreation center will be one feature in the the 47-acre Reston Town Center North area bounded by Baron Cameron Avenue, Fountain Drive, Town Center Parkway and Bowman Towne Drive.
Park Authority Board Chair Bill Bouie says a first proposal for the space should be assessed by the park authority by the end of the year.
Lake Fairfax Park, located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston, will open the park carousel and marina in May, and will service patrons from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Carousel fees are $2 per person and at the marina, pedal boat rentals are available for rental. Private boats can be launched at with a $2 launch fee, but boats powered by motor or sailboats are not permitted on the 18-acre lake.
Also opening on Memorial Day weekend is the popular outdoor water park the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole. The Water Mine's attractions are designed for elementary-aged children, and new expansions to the park are scheduled to open in August this year.