September 2010 - Parks & Recreation - 15

Facilities: Herndon Community Center, a 56,000-square-foot community center located in Bready Park, with 25-meter indoor pool, hot tub,
sauna, racquetball courts, fitness facilities, meeting, craft and preschool
rooms, full size gym, showers and lockers. Seasonal, self-supporting
indoor tennis bubble. Eleven parks, operated by the town and/or the
Fairfax County Park Authority, one within a half mile of every resident.
Signature park: 58-acre Runnymede Park-a passive park of trails and
picnic areas; future home to a nature center. Approximately two miles of
trails provide connectivity in and around the town's four square miles
and link with Fairfax County trails. Oversight of Chestnut Grove Cemetery, an active, historic cemetery.
Programs: Classes are organized under aquatics, small group and
personal training, and recreation (which include camps, licensed preschool, dance, gymnastics, special interest, arts and crafts, tennis,
sports, group fitness, teens, holiday and special events). Signature
event: the Herndon Festival, in its 31st year.
Mission/Philosophy: We enrich the lives of our residents, serve as
stewards of Town resources, and foster a sense of community by providing diverse, accessible and valued parks, facilities, and recreation
programs.
Awards & Citations: Four-time Gold Medal winner (most recently in
2008) and six-time Gold Medal finalist; CAPRA accredited since 2006
(the fourth in Virginia to achieve accreditation). Awards from the International Festivals and Events Association and Virginia Recreation and
Park Society.
Challenges & Issues: With only four square miles, there is little opportunity to acquire additional parkland. It is also a densely populated area, (pop. 23,500) bordered by Fairfax (1.1 million) and Loudoun
(300,000) counties. These are diverse communities in all aspects, especially culturally, economically, and financially. Preschool classes of
20 often have 12-15 youngsters with unique ethnic backgrounds. The
town's population will continue to grow slowly as multi-family units are
built. Two thirds of department participants in programs and center users are non-Town residents.
Key to Success: The agency was guided for almost 30 years by the
vision, tenacity, and enthusiasm of the department's first employee,
-Director Arthur A. Anselene, now Herndon's Town Manager. Coupled
with an enlightened town council, his commitment to excellence resulted in a focus on quality programs and facilities. The staff has enjoyed
long time support from the elected leadership who themselves are active in department programs and activities.
Future Plans: An active five-year capital improvement plan includes
a second-story addition to the community center, nature center and
trail development, and lighting project. Reaccreditation in 2011 and the
Gold Medal in 2013.
-By Cindy S. Roeder

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SEPTEMBER 2010

Parks & Recreation

September 2010 - Parks & Recreation

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