Broyhill Crest Community Association
Dear Neighbors,
Change comes in many forms—some welcome, like the arrival of warmer spring temperatures, and others more challenging, like the uncertainty many in our community are facing due to recent or potential layoffs. Transitions, whether expected or not, can be difficult, and navigating them is not always easy. Our community is strong, and together, we can support one another through difficult times.
Whether it’s sharing job opportunities, offering a helping hand, or simply checking in on a neighbor, small acts of kindness go a long way. Just as individuals navigate change, our community continues to evolve as well. Here are a few updates on what’s happening in the neighborhood and our immediate area.
2025 BCCA Dues Drive: The BCCA is kicking off its 2025 dues drive. As a reminder, last year, the BCCA Board voted to modify the payment system from “dues” to “donations/contributions.” This financial support helps fund events and initiatives as well as granting the donor access to the community directory. Previously, residents submitted an annual $10 dues payment in April. Recognizing that financial situations can vary, you now have the flexibility to donate any amount at any time that suits you. Donations can be directed to:
- @broyhillcrest via PayPal
- or by check mailed to:
Broyhill Crest Community Association
P.O. Box 423
Annandale, VA 22003
Westminster School Update: On Wednesday, April 9, the Westminster School will be holding a question/answer session about its new athletic field and playground plaza that will soon be installed on campus. With groundbreaking set for late spring 2025, the school will share detailed plans, discuss the opportunities this new field will provide for the Annandale community, and answer your questions about the project. The event will be at the Westminster School Ellis Glover Theater (3819 Gallows Road, Annandale, Virginia 22003) from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. They ask that you RSVP at: office@westminsterschool.com or by calling 703-256-3620 if you plan to attend.
Annandale Revitalization and Development: Fairfax County has begun the Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process. This is an opportunity for property owners and the public to propose changes to the county’s comprehensive plan. This year, Mason District received 15 nominations in Mason, including several in Annandale. Community meetings for the SSPA nominations will take place in April. Those most directly tied to Annandale will be discussed on April 21 at 7:00 p.m. For more details about the SSPA process, including an overview of all nominations and community meeting details, visit: Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) Process | Planning Development and the community meeting schedule.
The BCCA board will meet on Tuesday, April 15. If there are community topics or issues you’d like us to consider at this meeting, please reach out to us at yourbcca@gmail.com.
Until next time, catch you around the block,
Dana Riddlemoser
President, BCCA
The BCCA Spring Fest Celebration and Annual Meeting will occur on May 18th at Broyhill Crest Park, located on Murray Lane between Early Street and Sanford Court. Spring Fest is 12-2pm and will be followed by the BCCA Annual Meeting.
This year’s event will feature activities for all ages, information from BCCA and local organizations, food trucks, and more! We will send reminder emails and post signs in the neighborhood as we get closer to the event!
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! It will be SO MUCH BETTER if we have a few helping hands during the event.
If you are interested in helping out but want more information before signing up, please contact yourbcca@gmail.com!
Help make Spring Fest a success! Join the fun and get to know your neighbors!
The BCCA is looking to fill several positions on its board, including vice president, neighborhood watch leader, and events chair. Participating on the board requires a minimal time commitment, involving attendance at eight meetings a year, newsletter contributions, a few community events, and fulfilling the responsibilities outlined below:
- Vice President:Assist the President in tracking local policy issues, serve as a point of contact for resident concerns, and optionally attend Mason District Council meetings or other community events based on availability and interest.
- Neighborhood Watch Lead:Develop monthly schedules for Neighborhood Watch volunteers, serve as a point of contact for the Fairfax County Police Department, and coordinate the Broyhill Crest National Night Out event each August.
- Events Chair:Lead the implementation of board-approved events with the assistance of the board and community volunteers, such as Winter Fest, Spring Fest, the Halloween Yard Decoration Contest, and Trick-or-Treat activities. Explore opportunities for additional events, such as quarterly happy hours or coffee connections.
Please reach out to yourbcca@gmail.com if you are interested in any of these positions.
BCCA Meeting Schedule
The BCCA board and committee chairs meet virtually on the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m., except June, July, August, and December. If there are community topics or issues you’d like us to consider at meetings, please reach out to us at yourbcca@gmail.com. We welcome you to join us!
Remaining Schedule for 2025
- April 15
- May 20
- September 16
- October 21
- November 1
Pick-up and drop-off at Westminster School can cause delays on Gallows Road, and the school is actively working to address the situation.
Here are some of the steps it has taken:
- Extended drop-off times: The school has lengthened the morning drop-off period by an additional hour to help reduce congestion during peak times.
- Parking and pick-up adjustments: Parents are encouraged to use hazard lights and wait in the bike lane to alleviate road traffic during pick-up.
- No left turns: The school has implemented a policy prohibiting left turns out of the driveway to streamline traffic flow.
- Bus service: Westminster is one of the few private schools offering a bus service and has even reduced bus fees to encourage more families to take advantage of it.
- After-school activities: A broad range of after-school programs are available to keep traffic dispersed throughout the day.
- Clear communication with parents: The school maintains strong communication regarding carpool policies and ensures that parents are aware not to block driveways or park within 10 feet of them.
- Traffic staff: The school has three staff members assigned to direct traffic and help keep things moving as efficiently as possible.
With the return of the federal workforce to offices, overall traffic volume has increased, which, combined with congestion from I-495, has made the situation more challenging.
Neighbors are encouraged to report any traffic-related concerns directly to the school, including license plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles causing blockages. The school will then follow up with the vehicle owner and kindly ask them to avoid repeating the behavior.
Two contact numbers are available for reporting:
- The school office at (703) 256-3620
A mobile number for immediate response from one of the traffic staff at (703) 850-5851
In an effort to provide high quality gatherings that bring the community together, BCCA will reduce the number of events we host, focusing on three major events in 2025:
- Spring Fest (May 18)
- Fall Fest (October)
- Winter Fest (December)
Events require a lot of moving parts but are so much fun to create and host for the community! If you are interested in volunteering for our events, it’s a great way to be creative and have fun while giving back to your community. Please reach out to yourbcca@gmail.com to get involved!
New signs are coming to an intersection near you! Check out our new “Join BCCA” signs located under our current Neighborhood Watch and Broyhill Crest street signs. The new signs have QR codes to make accessing the website easier for anyone with a smartphone. Encourage your neighbors to get connected!
EARTH DAY
Earth Day Fairfax is happening on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, Virginia. Earth Day Fairfax is the County’s largest Earth Day celebration. This will be a daylong event featuring games, entertainment, exhibits, workshops, vendors, and activities geared toward increasing our understanding and enjoyment of the world around us. The event attracts nearly 5,000 people from across Fairfax County annually.
Volunteers are needed to fill shifts throughout the day in a variety of capacities, including:
- Set-up attendants
- Check-in greeters
- Nature and recreation activity attendants
- Guest assistance
This is a fantastic service opportunity for students seeking service hours or community members looking to give back. All volunteers must be 15 years old or older. Multiple shifts are available to accommodate scheduling needs. For additional detail in individual volunteer opportunities and to sign up, visit the Volunteer Fairfax website.
Friends of Holmes Run
Friends of Holmes Run is sponsoring many events to rescue trees from vines, manage other invasive weeds, and clean up trails and parks in our area. For details, see the Friends of Holmes Run – Calendar.
A Patroller’s Story
A current Neighborhood Watch Patroller, Gary Bell, shares his perspective on why he joined this important program and his experiences while patrolling:
After retiring in April 2022, I would often see the Neighborhood Watch patrol while working in my yard. I thought this is a great way to keep our community safe. I soon read the Broyhill Crest newsletter that included information about the Neighborhood Watch and the need for additional patrollers. I decided to join the patrol.
I have never experienced any issues during my patrols and only once has a neighbor stopped me to say that his car was broken into (this was noted in the patrol log). My patrols take just over an hour and I have enjoyed viewing neighbors’ spring flowers, fall leaves, and holiday decorations. Mark Clarke, Patrol coordinator, is great to work with and I’m glad to be a member of the patrol program that helps keep our neighborhood safe.
Gary has been patrolling since March of 2023. He and the other dedicated patrollers provide a visible deterrent within our community and increase the safety of our BCCA.
If you are like Gary and are reading this article now, WE NEED YOU! We are continuing to seek out our fellow BCCA neighbors to serve in the important program. As Gary mentioned, patrols take about an hour once a month to conduct. We patrol the 13 miles of Broyhill Crest and are well received by our fellow neighbors and those passing through. An added bonus, there are few places more beautiful than Broyhill Crest in the spring! Neighborhood Watch patrols require a minimal amount of time and help serve your community in a meaningful way.
If you are interested in joining Neighborhood Watch or just have questions, please contact Mark Clarke, NW coordinator, at stonepath@cox.net or 703-336-2780.
2024 Year in Review
During the calendar year 2024, the Broyhill Crest Neighborhood Watch Program conducted numerous patrols focused on elevating the security, safety, and protection of our community. Following is a summary of the accomplishments achieved in 2024 by the men and women who volunteer their time and energy for this vital service to our community:
- One hundred seventy-five (175) patrols were conducted consisting of approximately two-hundred sixty-three (263) hours actively engaged in providing a highly visible deterrent within the community. This represents an approximate 14 percent decrease in patrols and hours completed compared to 2023, principally due to a decrease in patrollers.
The BCCA hosted National Night Out this past August along with Fairfax County Police Officers and senior Mason District government officials. There was a great community turnout; neighbors had the opportunity to engage with officers about a variety of topics as well as with BCCA board members. Fudgsicles and Popsicles were a big hit too!
Falls Church High School has several events of note coming up in the next few months.
In early May, the theatre department presents “The Addams Family.” Shows are
- May 2nd and 3rd at 7 p.m.
- May 4th at 3 p.m.
- May 10th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (7 p.m. is understudy cast)
- May 11th at 3 p.m.
The All-Night Grad Party celebrates graduating seniors the night after graduation in a safe, fun, supervised environment. FCHS has a large proportion of students who are on reduced/free lunch, and the PTSA keeps ticket prices low and offers free tickets where students are not able to pay. Thus, most of the expenses must be covered by fundraising.
Donations can be made online at: https://www.fallschurchhighschoolptsa.org/events/all-night-grad-party through credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or ACH Bank Transfer. Checks should be made payable to ANGP FCHS PTSA and should be mailed to the school at Falls Church High School, ATTN: FCHS PTSA, 7521 Jaguar Trail, Falls Church, VA 22042.
Kindergarten Registration
Do you have a child that is five years old or will be turning five by September 30, 2025? If you do, please register them for kindergarten at your earliest opportunity. To start the process, you can stop by the Mason Crest Elementary School office, Monday through Friday, between 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. To register online, visit fcps.edu/online-registration.
In February, six homes were listed for sale in Broyhill Crest. Of those, two have sold, and one is under contract. The average days on market for those homes was just four days, reinforcing that homes priced right move quickly—in fact, the sold homes went for an average of 3 percent over list price.
However, the overall average days on market for February listings in Broyhill Crest was 29 days, showing that not everything is flying off the market just because it’s available.
We saw a burst of new listings in February, but in March, only one home was listed in our neighborhood. That said, inventory is increasing across the local market. Prices remain strong, but as more homes hit the market, buyers will gain more leverage.
The Community Advisory Committee is a great avenue to connect with the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) around any concerns. The CAC enhances communication between residents and the FCPD and offers residents a chance to dialogue with members of their local police districts. Members are kept informed about significant safety matters in their neighborhoods and are encouraged to bring any issues or questions to the attention of local police commanders.
The Mason District CAC meets on the first Tuesday of every month. More information on the CACs can be found here: Community Advisory Committee | Police. Mike Porth is the contact for the Mason District: michaelporth@gmail.com.
The latest episode of Reimagine Mason is here. Supervisor Andres Jimenez talks with Lynette Sappe-Watkins, Executive Director of Culmore Clinic, to highlight the work the clinic is doing to expand healthcare access for uninsured adults in Mason District. The discussion covers how Culmore Clinic strengthens community health with compassionate, equitable care, and how you can support their mission. Listen now at Culmore Clinic: Reimagine Mason Podcast (Ep. 3) in Reimagine Mason
Many residents have inquired about relevant contact information for sidewalk maintenance and repaving needs. The first step is to identify who is responsible for the sidewalk/road in question. Please use the Fairfax County Interactive Map Gallery, specifically the Road Maintenance and Walkway Maintenance maps. Once you have determined whose responsibility it is, you can submit requests at the following links. If you submit requests at these links and do not receive a timely response, the BCCA can work with the supervisor’s office to escalate concerns.
- VDOT: Report a Road Problem – Virginia Department of Transportation
- FCDOT: Walk Fairfax | Transportation
- Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services – Report a Walkway Problem
- Fairfax County Park Authority – Tree and Debris Removal Request
- NOVA Parks
- National Park Service
Fairfax County is home to tens of thousands of federal employees and contractors facing uncertainty due to deep federal budget cuts. Retaining these skilled professionals is critical, not just for Fairfax County’s economy but for Virginia’s economic future. Northern Virginia currently has over 90,000 job openings, nearly half located here in Fairfax County.
To support those impacted by changes or disruptions in federal services or employment, the Fairfax County Federal Workforce Resource Hub provides essential resources for residents, government employees, active military/veterans, contractors, nonprofits, and businesses. Whether you need job search assistance, financial support, or guidance on available county services, this hub is designed to help you navigate current and future challenges. Explore resources and support: Fairfax County Federal Workforce Resource Hub
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) has launched a new initiative to connect former federal employees and contractors with local career opportunities, partnering with labor unions and trade organizations to fill jobs in fields like trades, engineering, HR, project management, and more.
Join FCEDA at the All Jobs Expo on May 10, featuring positions for tradesmen, accountants, engineers, HR professionals, and administrative staff. Explore other job opportunities and resources at Work in Northern Virginia. By ensuring these talented professionals find new opportunities, we strengthen Fairfax County’s economic resilience and maintain our role as the economic engine of the Commonwealth.
