Welcome to Springfield, Virginia – believed to be the first planned community in the U.S. following the close of WWII. The Springfield Civic Association (SCA) was organized about 1953 “to stimulate interest in and to devise ways and means for the promotion of the civic community and general welfare, with special attention being given to private and public development in the central Springfield area.”
Those of us who live in Crestwood or Lynbrook (roughly the boundaries of the SCA) view Springfield as a destination, not a slug-line location or the highway exit commonly referred to as the Mixing Bowl! My family and I moved here in 1982 and the things that attracted me to Crestwood then are still the reasons that keep me here and have given me such satisfaction over the years. Being centrally located next to a national interchange, without a long drive (or crawl) down Old Keene Mill or Braddock Road to get home, was important in 1982 and even more important today! Brookfield Park and Lake Accotink Park were enormous draws! Today, we have three major Federal employers … National Geo-Spatial Agency (NGA), Fort Belvoir, and the soon to be opened Transportation Security Administration (TSA) headquarters. Add having Washington, DC so close and two international airports within easy driving distance and it’s a formula for satisfaction and gratitude! I’m happy to be living here, aren’t you?!
According to our SCA Constitution, “The Association shall be strictly non-partisan and non-sectarian. It reserves the right, however, to propose, oppose or support any legislation affecting the welfare of the Springfield area.” Recently, SCA members have been working on the issue of abandoned shopping carts in our neighborhood, testifying in Richmond in support of a bill that would address the issue. Closer to home, members of the SCA meet quarterly with the Lee District Supervisor to receive updates from him and to have our questions/concerns addressed.
We are represented at the Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings with the Franconia police and encourage National Night Out events – last year, supporting ten of them. The SCA has awarded Certificates of Appreciation to almost a dozen businesses to thank them for beautifying their locations. The SCA has also supported ECHO, Trails for Youth, the Lee High School choral group, and school programs.
We are working closely with the Springfield Rebranding Project to revitalize the central Springfield business district for its highest and best use and we have two members who attend the Lee District Land Use meetings. Thanks to the efforts of SCA members, we have seen safety improvements such as widening of the sidewalk, removal of dead trees and removal of poison ivy along an overgrown section of Old Keene Mill Road.
SCA meetings are held on the third Tuesday of September, November, January, March and May. Meetings run from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., with light refreshments served from 7-7:30, and are held at Crestwood Elementary School on Hanover Avenue. Anyone is welcome to attend our meetings and be involved in our undertakings but only members (as defined by our by-laws) are able to vote. Dues are $15/household (one vote per household). We publish an information-packed newsletter five times a year; check it out by clicking on Newsletter & Meeting Minutes in the header above.
The SCA Board strives to keep the presentations relevant. Some of our meeting topics have been Springfield revitalization and business development, code compliance, emergency management, and briefings from our local elected officials. We’ve also held special meetings for real estate panels, gardening experts, and police personal safety.
We’re an all-volunteer association. We welcome your positive input and ideas so we can work together to make this community all it can be!
Gail NIttle
SCA President
At the Bridge Walk – a fun event and a great opportunity to connect with friends and make new ones (l-r) Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, Gail Nittle (SCA President), Marta Morrissey, Bruce Waggoner, Larry Farnsworth, Rodney Lusk, Lee District Supervisor), and Larry’s twin girls Ella and Emma.
