GOCA Update - September 14, 2023

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

The leaves will be turning beautiful colors soon, reminding us how lucky we are to live in Oakton amongst trees that are more than a century older than our oldest residents. Imagine what these trees have witnessed as our community evolved from rural farmlands in the early-mid 1900s to what it is today.

Community News

AT&T Site Development. Developer EYA has continued to collect feedback on their initial proposal for this property, and plans to update the community on changes to its initial designs on October 2nd at 7:00 pm. Community participation is important at this event and we encourage you to sign up at this link to attend. Meanwhile, Options for Oakton (O4O) has issued a new survey of community residents intended to gather input about issues of density, the concept of an "Oakton Core", and public resources and commercial amenities that could enhance Oakton. The survey closes on September 30th, so you are encouraged to share your thoughts here. The results of O4O’s first survey, which assessed Oakton residents' concerns about the EYA proposal and the level of communication about the development plans, can be found here.

Hunter Mill Road Sidewalk Update. GOCA recently met with key staff in Supervisor Palchik’s office and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation to continue to make the case for an extension of the Hunter Mill Road sidewalk would serve a park, library, two children’s centers, three churches, and two retail shopping centers on a road that otherwise offers no alternatives to car transport or walking along a busy artery. FCDOT has now evaluated thousands of proposals and they assured us that this sidewalk remains under active consideration for funding. FCDOT plans to invite public comment sometime this fall on all the projects it is considering for prioritization, and strong response will be needed to make this a reality. We will alert you when your participation is needed for that process. In the meantime, if you have not already, please consider adding your name to the original Change.org petition.

Oakton United Methodist Church Celebrates 125 Years. The small, iconic white church building with the green roof near the corner of Hunter Mill and Chain Bridge was the first to be built in the town of Flint Hill, the predecessor to today’s Oakton. Construction began in 1895, and it opened its doors in 1898. Like the third schoolhouse in Oakton that opened in 1897, it was built on land donated by William P. and Martha M. Speer, who along with other families from New York state moved to the area before the Civil War. See ”Other Items of Interest” below to learn about plans to mark the occasion.

GOCA News

Oakton Day in the Park. What a day it was! An estimated 600 Oaktonians gathered August 27th to celebrate our community. We were so appreciative of all the volunteers that a week later we celebrated with them at Settle Down Easy Brewing and we are already planning for next year. We would like to thank the following businesses for their particularly generous contributions to GOCA, allowing us to offer this special day, the Community Directory and other GOCA programming for Oakton throughout the year.

A HICKMAN Design

The Backyard Bird Feeder

Deb Cohen, Realtor

Flint Hill Schools

Hunter Mill Animal Hospital

Hunter Mill Montessori

Image Kitchen & Bath

Michelle Fisher, Realtor

Mountain Kim Martial Arts

Oakton Family Dentistry

Oakton Strength Systems

Oakton United Methodist Church

Pat Stack, Realtor

Settle Down Easy Brewing

Sunrise of Hunter Mill

Service Source

Unity of Fairfax Church

Vale United Methodist Church

Valerie Kappler, Realtor

New Community Directory. Pick up your own complimentary copy of the 2023 directory at the Oakton Library on the bookshelf directly behind the information desk. The directory includes contact information for businesses which operate in Oakton, as well as handy numbers for government officials, public institutions, nonprofits, and emergency resources. If we’ve missed including your business, please contact us at contact@greateroakton.com.

Upgrades in Oakton Community Park. A special thank you to Scout leaders Dwight Reed and Dan Hippe and the members of Troop 1983 for removing the splintered wood on the benches in the Oakton Community Park and expertly replacing it with new wood. Now we have great seats to admire our woods and the animals that live in it. Thank you as well to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area program for the beautiful new interpretive sign marking the meadow at the park.

Great response to the Upcoming Jim Lewis Tour. The October 14th bus tour of historical landmarks in Oakton and along Hunter Mill is now full. We sometimes have cancellations, so if you would like to sign up to be on our waiting list, please click here.

GOCA’s Annual Community Meeting. Wednesday, November 1st starting at 7pm at Oakton Library. Mark your calendars now to attend this annual gathering at which GOCA reports on the status of priority projects and solicits input for its focus in the coming year.

Other Items of Interest

Festivities to Celebrate the History of Oakton United Methodist Church. Saturday evening, September 16th. To mark the occasion, the church will provide tours, a bluegrass concert and ice cream truck, all open to the public. If you would like to join OUMC for this, please RSVP here.

Invasive Plant Removal at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park. Saturday, September 16th, 10am - 12pm to celebrate National Clean Up Day; register here. Sunday, September 24, 11am - 1pm to celebrate National Public Lands Day; register here.

Cabaret Show, “Witty Women”. Saturday, September 16th, 7:30-8 pm, at Unity of Fairfax Church at 2854 Hunter Mill Road. A cabaret celebrating the 67th Anniversary of Unity of Fairfax. Get your tickets here.

9/11 Heroes Run - Sunday, September 17th at 8:30am, Oakton Elementary School. This is a 5K, organized by a local resident and the Travis Manion Foundation to honor the heroes of 9/11 and the wars since. To learn more about the Foundation and/or you would like to participate, please register here.

Invasive Plant Removal at Oakton Community Park. Saturday, October 7th at 9am and 1pm. lf you would like to register for one of these sessions or be notified directly about upcoming opportunities, please email Mark Deaton.

Fall Bazaar/Farmer’s Market. Saturday, October 7th from 9am - 1pm at Oakton United Methodist Church. Local artisans will join the regular vendors at the weekly FreshFarm Farmer’s Market to sell their crafts.

OAKtoberfest. Saturday, October 14th from noon - 5pm at Unity of Fairfax Church at 2854 Hunter Mill Road. The Oakton Tasting Room and Fermented Pig, with Unity, will hold its first annual OAKtoberfest.

Vale Club Fun Fair. Saturday, October 14th from 11am - 3pm. Held in sponsorship with the United Vale Methodist Church, the fair features many free activities for the community to enjoy, including a haunted forest designed by the Boys Troop 1983, live music, horse rides, unique/antique cars, and other activities on the grounds of the historic Vale schoolhouse at the corner of Fox Mill and Vale Roads. Food and baked goods will be available for purchase. Parking is at United Vale Methodist Church across the street.

Friends of Oakton Library Book Sale. October 18th – 21st; For more information, please visit Friends of Oakton Library. For other upcoming activities and events at the Oakton Library click here.

Warmly,

The GOCA Board

Lauren Crum and Shelley Deutch, Co-Chairs

Jody Bennett, Linda Byrne, Jackie Davey, Mark Deaton, Michelle Fisher, Janet Kerr-Tener (Founding Co Chair), Kris Olsen, Robin Thurman, and Gary Wong

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.