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Morning Notes

Published November 2, 2011 at 8:52AM

Goldman Sachs Invests in Rosslyn — Investment giant Goldman Sachs has acquired a majority stake in 3 million square feet of office space in Rosslyn. The acquisition includes trophy properties like the gleaming metal-and-glass 1000 and 1100 Wilson Boulevard towers. The office space represents 30 percent of Rosslyn’s 10 million square feet of commercial real estate. [Washington Post, BusinessWire]

County Wants Residents to Stop Smoking in Parks — Arlington’s parks department is planning on politely asking visitors to county parks to refrain from smoking near ballfields, pavilions and playgrounds. The initiative will use signs, not the force of law, to try to get visitors to comply. [Sun Gazette]

Around Town

Arlington: Come Get Your Free Trees

By ARLnow.com

Published September 27, 2011 at 11:59AM

The county is offering one tree per household and up to five trees for groups like condo/homeowner’s associations, churches, civic associations or other neighborhood organizations. Among the available species are large trees like American sycamores, black oaks, black gum/tupelos, cherrybark oaks, red maples, yellow poplars and Virginia pines. Smaller tree offerings include serviceberries, staghorn sumacs, winterberry hollies and American witch hazels.

A PDF list of tree species, their growth requirements, estimated measurements and other attributes is available on the county’s web site.

News

Board Approves New Barcroft Park Baseball Field

By ARLnow.com

Published September 21, 2011 at 2:39PM

Last night the Arlington County Board unanimously approved a plan that will provide at least $3 million for major improvements to the ball field, paid in full by George Washington University. GWU’s baseball team has used Barcroft as its home field since 1992, and has long desired a venue more on par with other universities.

Under a new 20-year agreement, GWU will pay all upgrade costs while splitting annual maintenance costs 25/75 with Arlington County. The maintenance split reflects the agreement that GWU will have access to the field for 25 percent of available hours while the county will be able to provide public access to the field for 75 percent of available hours.

Events

Volunteer Opp: Dogtober Day 2011

By ARLnow.com

Published September 13, 2011 at 10:23AM

On Saturday, Oct. 8, dogs will compete for prizes in categories like best kisser, best tail wagger, cutest costume and fastest pooch. The day will also feature dog training, grooming, treats and rescues.

Arlington is seeking up to 25 volunteers to help with set up, registration, ribbons and prizes, dog games, judges’ paper work and end-of-program break down. Anyone interested should contact volunteer coordinator Rhonda Nibert online or at 703-228-4724.

Events

Meeting to Discuss $4 Million Baseball Field Revamp

By ARLnow.com

Published September 8, 2011 at 2:24PM | Updated September 8, 2011 at 3:21PM

George Washington University, which uses Barcroft as the home field for its baseball team, is proposing to fully-fund a number of enhancements to the field, including artificial turf, dugouts, new restrooms, new stadium seating, a press box, a bullpen and concession stands. The field’s existing dark sky lighting would not be changed.

The parks department will discuss the proposed changes with the community at a public meeting on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. The meeting is being held at the Fairlington Community Center (3308 S. Stafford Street), in room 118.

News

Proposed Ban on Kids in Dog Parks Goes Bust

By Katie Pyzyk

Published July 26, 2011 at 9:30AM | Updated July 26, 2011 at 11:15AM

Officials have been taking in feedback and holding listening sessions since the proposal was brought up earlier this year. The idea was to ban children under the age of 8, and to require parental supervision for children aged 8 through 14.

In a letter to Community Canine Area sponsors and users, Arlington County Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Director Dinesh Tiwari said the existing rules and regulations are adequate. However, the county will take some additional steps to make sure dog park users comply with rules. One measure is to install signs advising parents “to pay close attention to their children to ensure that they remain under direct supervision at all times.”

News

Bunny Boom in Arlington

By ARLnow.com

Published July 20, 2011 at 3:01PM | Updated February 13, 2024 at 11:00AM

The rabbit population is on the rise in Arlington.

A resident of the High View Park neighborhood, just north of Virginia Hospital Center, tells us that neighbors have been buzzing with talk of a bunny boom.

Around Town

Ill-Fated ‘Goth’ Restaurant in Va. Square Torn Down

By ARLnow.com

Published July 15, 2011 at 12:20PM

What would have been a restaurant, bar and lounge called “Haze” is now being reduced to a pile of rubble. Arlington County purchased the property at 3540 Wilson Boulevard one year ago with the intention of tearing it down, and the demolition is finally happening today.

The property will be used to connect Maury Park and Herselle Milliken Park, two tiny swaths of recreational space located on the same block between N. Monroe and Lincoln streets. So what happened to Haze?

News

Arlington and GWU to Discuss Barcroft Enhancements

By ARLnow.com

Published June 17, 2011 at 1:25PM

The Arlington County Parks Department is in talks with George Washington University, which uses the field for its baseball team’s home games, to fund new turf and other amenities, like restrooms, concession stands, a press box and a scoreboard. Upgrades to the existing field lights are not part of the discussion, the parks department said.

In exchange for use of the field, GWU currently is responsible for its routine maintenance, upkeep and improvements.

News

PETA Weighs in on Arlington Dog Park Debate

By ARLnow.com

Published May 26, 2011 at 12:44PM

The animal rights group has written a letter to Arlington Parks Division Chief Caroline Temmermand with a “friendly suggestion” — to ban unsterilized dogs from the county’s dog parks.

“Dogs who haven’t been ‘fixed’ are nearly three times as likely to bite as are dogs who have been sterilized,” a PETA rep told ARLnow.com. Plus, the rep said, dogs that haven’t been spayed or neutered “can contribute to the animal overpopulation crisis.”

Opinion

Morning Poll: Banning Kids from Dog Parks

By ARLnow.com

Published May 24, 2011 at 9:19AM | Updated May 24, 2011 at 10:52AM

At first, officials say, most people who contacted them were against banning kids. Now, with every major media outlet in town running their own version of the story, opinions are about 50/50.

Officials say the ban is far from a done deal. First, it must be cleared by county attorneys — although that seems likely, given that other Virginia localities, like Fairfax County, already ban young children. After it gets the legal go-ahead, Arlington Parks Department spokeswoman Susan Kalish says the matter will only be decided after some sort of community input process.

Events

Bluemont Playground Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

By ARLnow.com

Published May 18, 2011 at 2:54PM

The playground, at 601 N. Manchester Street, features play areas with farm and train-themed play equipment, as well as climbing boulders, a play house, swings, a sandbox, picnic area, accessible paths, a drinking fountain and more.

The ceremony is being held between 10:00 and 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and is part of the county’s Neighborhood Day event list.