parks department | ARLnow.com

Published October 9, 2012 at 12:30PM

The disability-accessible, 41 seat bus was purchased by the county for use with DPR’s 55+ travel program, which conducts more than a dozen day trips per month for senior citizens who reside in Arlington. (October and November destinations include a tour of Philadelphia, a trip to the Graves Mountain Apple Harvest Festival in Syria, Va., and an outing to Hokkaido Seafood Buffet in Falls Church.)

The senior travel program has seen an uptick in demand over the past few years, the Sun Gazette reported this summer.

News

County Seeking Proposals for Reeves Farmhouse

By ARLnow.com

Published August 16, 2012 at 3:34PM

The county is seeking an entity that wants to lease or license use of the farmhouse. In exchange, the entity would help restore the farmhouse, which might need more than $1 million worth of work.

The farmhouse (at 400 N. Manchester Street) and its 2.5 acres of land was purchased by the county from the Reeves family in 2001 for $1.8 million. The house itself, which overlooks Bluemont Park, dates back to 1899, according to a historical and architectural survey. The farm was “the last dairy farm to operate in Arlington and the centerpiece of the Reevesland Historic District in Bluemont Park,” according to the County.

Around Town

Video: Senior Citizen Flash Mob at the County Fair

By ARLnow.com

Published August 10, 2012 at 6:36PM

A large group of senior citizens, organized by the Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation’s Office of Senior Adult Programs, participated in a “flash mob” at the Arlington County Fair this afternoon.

The seniors — who were later joined by fair-goers during a reprise — performed a choreographed dance to the Black Eyed Peas song “I Gotta Feeling.”

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published August 6, 2012 at 9:00AM

Krupicka Wins Dem Caucus — Alexandria City Councilman Rob Krupicka has won the Democratic caucus for the 45th District House of Delegrates seat, which represents some parts of South Arlington. Krupicka defeated opponent Karen Gautney by a caucus vote of 1,540 to 891. He will now face Republican Tim McGhee in the Nov. 6 general election. [Patch]

County Gets New Coach Bus for Seniors — The Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation has invested in a new 41-seat coach-style bus. The bus will be used for the department’s travel programs for adults 55 and over. [Sun Gazette]

News

Penrose Square Plaza Expected to Open This Fall Despite Oil Spill

By ARLnow.com

Published July 25, 2012 at 1:45PM

The new public plaza at the Penrose Square development along Columbia Pike is still expected to open this fall, despite a recent setback.

The contractor working on the $2 million project found and accidentally ruptured an oil tank earlier this month during excavation work, we’re told. The rupture contaminated part of the site, but the county and contractors worked quickly to remedy the situation.

Around Town

‘Lose the Training Wheels’ Camp Cruises Back for a Third Year

By Margaret Doyle

Published July 19, 2012 at 3:05PM

This week-long camp for children between the ages of eight and 18 uses trained staff and adapted bicycles that can be modified as riders develop more skills and self-confidence. The success rate is high, as most riders are expected to begin pedaling independently by mid-week.

This is the third year that the Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation Therapeutic Recreation Office will be teaming up with the non-profit Lose the Training Wheels organization. The camp will be held at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road), from July 30 to August 3.

News

Parks and Rec Director Leaving Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published June 29, 2012 at 11:42AM | Updated June 29, 2012 at 12:26PM

We’re told Tiwari, 61, is leaving for Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks & Cultural Activities.

Tiwari came to Arlington from Richmond, where he served as the city’s director of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities. He has also worked for the governments of Suffolk and Roanoke, Va.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published May 15, 2012 at 10:30AM

New Long-Haul Service at DCA — JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America and Alaska Airlines are adding new long haul service from Reagan National Airport to four cities, respectively: San Juan, Puerto Rico; Austin, Texas; San Francisco; and Porland, Ore. [CBS News]

Meeting Tonight About Ballston Park — Planners from the county parks department will be meeting with residents tonight to discuss options for the small triangular piece of land next to the Ballston public parking garage at the corner of N. Glebe Road and N. Randolph Street. At one point a mini golf course was proposed for the tiny park. [Arlington Mercury]

News

New Parking Policy for Long Bridge Park

By ARLnow.com

Published April 27, 2012 at 4:25PM

Turf fields will be replaced at Long Bridge Park.

“Effective immediately, parking at Long Bridge Park will be free on weekends and free after 5 p.m. on weekdays,” Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation spokeswoman Susan Kalish said this afternoon, in an email.

The Arlington Soccer Association told the Arlington County Board last weekend that parents were “grumbling” about having to pay for parking while their kids played soccer on weekends, according to the Sun Gazette. Soccer referees were also reportedly threatening to stop working at the park due to having to continuously feed the parking meter during the day.

News

Bluemont Residents to Vote on Bocce Court Request

By ARLnow.com

Published April 25, 2012 at 1:45PM

Bluemont residents will vote tonight on a petition (below) that calls for the county parks department to build and pay for a Petanque-Bocce court in the neighborhood.

The vote will take place at tonight’s Bluemont Civic Association meeting. Supporters say the court would “foster community spirit in a fun way for all ages.”

News

Virginia Highlands Sprayground Won’t Open Until 2013

By ARLnow.com

Published March 23, 2012 at 11:18AM

County officials say the project schedule has been extended while they take “some additional measures to ensure cleaner water enters the storm sewer from the sprayground.” That may be a disappointment to residents who were hoping to have a new place for their kids to cool off this summer.

We reported in 2010 that the sprayground — the county’s most elaborate water park yet — was originally scheduled to open by Memorial Day 2012. Now, we’re told, the county hopes to begin construction late this summer, which will allow the sprayground to open on Memorial Day weekend 2013.

News

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Published February 16, 2012 at 8:23AM

Early Tennis Class Registration — Registration for early spring tennis classes via the Arlington Department of Parks and Recreation began yesterday. The classes run for four weeks starting March 12. Registration for full spring classes for tennis and other sports begins on March 14th. Summer camp registration, meanwhile, opens on Feb. 22.

Wine Event in Crystal City This Weekend — The Virginia Wine and Food Showcase is taking place at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (1700 Jefferson Davis Hwy) on Feb. 18 and 19. The event features more than 300 wines from around Virginia… and a speed dating session. [NBC Washington]