GOCA Update Jul 26, 2025
- shelleydeutch
- May 3
- 5 min read
Dear Oakton Neighbors and Friends,
Many of us moved to Oakton because we were attracted to the overstory of trees and this summer we need that shade more than ever! While you enjoy the shade, here are some updates including the latest news about the resubmitted EYA rezoning proposal for redeveloping the AT&T site and Oakton Day on August 24th!
Community News
Update on AT&T Site Development
Oakton Transportation Study and County Budget for Transportation Improvements
GOCA News
Countdown to Oakton Day!
New Committee for Historic Schoolhouse
Vandalism in Oakton Community Park
New Signs Encouraging Cleanup After Dogs in Park
Seeking Your Support for Local Students
Other Items
Interactive Map of Art in Fairfax County
Local Push to Create Pollinator Pathways
Spotlight on a Unique New Oakton Venue
Spotlight on a Community Nonprofit: CHO
Upcoming Sessions to Remove Invasive Plants
Community News
Update on AT&T Site Development. On July 22nd, EYA released its new application for rezoning, which can be found at Zoning Application RZ/FDP 2023-PR-00020 (PLUS link). To review the updates to the plan, EYA will host a public community meeting on Wednesday, August 27th at 7 pm at the Jim Scott Community Center. Our local community groups are still reviewing the just-released revised plans–please watch for further analysis from GOCA, Options for Oakton and Smart Growth for Oakton. EYA invites you to send questions or comments to EYA, and we encourage you to reach out to Supervisor Palchik and Commissioner Hancock with your feedback.
Oakton Transportation Study and County Budget for Transportation Improvements. As we have reported, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is conducting a study of the traffic corridor stretching a mile in any direction from the planned EYA development. Supervisor Palchik arranged for funding of this study as part of the agreement to change the Comprehensive Plan to permit the new development. The traffic study is underway but will not be completed until sometime next year. Unfortunately, the County is currently making decisions on its budget for transportation improvements for the next five years, so any recommendations coming from the traffic corridor study will not be considered in this process; however FCDOT indicated that budgets can be modified under the direction of our Supervisor. Some of you replied to FCDOT’s request for public input. Although that link is now closed, we encourage you to email Supervisor Palchik and FCDOT to request that budget monies are available for solutions provided by the 123 Corridor Traffic study.
GOCA News
Countdown to Oakton Day! The fifth annual Oakton Day in the Park will take place on Sunday, August 24th, from 1-4 pm. We expect this year’s event to be every bit as fun for all ages as last year’s. Settle Down Easy Brewing will be back, along with crowd favorites Luciano Italian Restaurant, Taco Rock, and Ben & Jerry’s, and music will be provided by the Rockits. Highlights will include a large-animal petting zoo and a Kid’s Interactive Theater, along with popular features from the past such as face painting, a craft table, a book sale by Friends of Oakton Library, antique cars, and more. We are very grateful for the contributions from local businesses, without whose support we could not make this happen. It is also the members of our community who volunteer that make this event special, so if you can, please volunteer to help at Oakton Day.
New Committee for Historic Schoolhouse. In early June, GOCA convened a meeting of volunteers to help us flesh out the many aspects of making the historic schoolhouse in Oakton Community Park a true asset to the community. Topics discussed included outfitting the building, policies and procedures for renting the facility for meetings and other uses, establishing an educational program for local fourth-graders (whose curriculum includes Virginia history), deepening our knowledge of the building’s background, and identifying partners who can help bring water to the building or a nearby pavilion to permit the construction of restrooms. We welcome any questions and/or expressions of interest with these goals. We also want to thank Oakton United Methodist Church for its donation of a chair dolly to hold our folding chairs in place!
Vandalism in Oakton Community Park. Earlier this summer, a picnic table in the park was vandalized with graffiti, and the table’s bench was broken. We are grateful to the Park Authority for removing the graffiti and fixing the broken bench quickly after we called. Its resources are limited though, so please be sure to treat the facilities with respect so that all may continue to enjoy them.
New Signs Encouraging Cleanup After Dogs in Park. After concerns were expressed by Oakton residents about dog owners not properly cleaning up after their pets in Oakton Community Park, GOCA purchased and installed some simple reminder signs. If others in Oakton’s parks are experiencing similar issues, please let us know and we can help out at those as well.
Seeking Your Support for Local Students. Starting August 5th and running through September 15th, GOCA will be supporting the Providence District Office Back to School Supply Drive. If you’d like to help provide local students with materials that they need throughout the year, such as writing tools, paper, highlighters, and other supplies, please drop them off in the box that we will set up on the porch of the historic schoolhouse in Oakton Community Park. And you can take advantage of the Virginia Sales Tax holiday (August 1st-3rd) to stock up!
Other Items
Interactive Map of Public Art in Fairfax County. Are you looking for a unique artsy experience in your own backyard? Check out this public arts locator to find 216 art pieces located across Fairfax County, 29 of which are in the Providence District. We noticed that Oakton is sadly devoid of public art, other than the sculpture at Oakton Library, a picture of which we have now submitted to be included on the map. If any artists in our community are interested in helping with a public art effort, please contact us.
Local Push to Create Pollinator Pathways. Insecticides and increased development have led to a precipitous loss of the creatures that pollinate flowers, threatening our entire ecosystem. Your neighbors are recruiting other interested local residents to join a nationwide initiative called Pollinator Pathways to help address this. If you would like to learn more, visit this site.
Spotlight on a Unique New Oakton Venue. Have you yet encountered The Grounds, a new enterprise located in Oakton on Vale Road? The Grounds is set on 23 wooded acres, and provides art and maker classes, wellness and nature experiences, connection with animals and a place for celebrations, events and gatherings. We encourage you to check it out! The Grounds will host an event this Fall featuring artisans, makers, demonstrations, and music. If you are interested in being a vendor or sponsor for this event, go to Outsiders Only.
Spotlight on a Community Nonprofit: Committee for Helping Others. The Committee for Helping Others (CHO) is a non-profit that assists the needy of Vienna, Oakton, Dunn Loring, and Merrifield. It is based in Vienna, but runs its “Clothes Closet” out of Unity Church at 2854 Hunter Mill Rd in Oakton. CHO is an all-volunteer organization that provides emergency financial assistance, emergency food aid, clothing, furniture, and other resources for its clients. It is always in need of staples such as men's clothes (all sizes), diapers, rice, pasta, and more. To learn more, become a volunteer, or request aid, please visit the CHO website or call 703-679-8966.
Upcoming Sessions to Remove Invasive Plants.
Oakton Community Park, Saturday, August 2nd, 9-11am and 1-3pm, 2841 Hunter Mill Road. If interested in helping, please contact Karin Lehnigk.
Difficult Run Stream Valley Park, Saturday, August 17th, 10am-12pm, 3000 Miller Heights Road. Register here.
With best regards,
The GOCA Board
Lauren Crum and Shelley Deutch, Co-ChairsLinda Byrne, Jackie Davey, Mark Deaton, Janet Kerr-Tener (Founding Co-Chair), Kris Olsen, Robin Thurman, Gary Wong and Albert Wu
See our website at: www.greateroakton.com
GOCA is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization, and 100% of your donations go to our community efforts. To donate, please visit our Paypal link. If you would like to become more actively involved, email us at contact@greateroakton.com and we can match you with the right opportunity.
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