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SunGazette
VOLUME 35 NO. 51
G R E AT FA L L S • M c L E A N • V I E N N A • O A K T O N
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AUGUST 14, 2014
Options Remain Open for McLean Park Site Public, Organizations Still Have Chance to Weigh in on Uses for 7.2-Acre Ruckstuhl Parcel BRIAN TROMPETER Staff Writer
A gift received six years ago soon may bear fruit. The late Lily Ruckstuhl bequeathed her 7.2-acre property in McLean to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) follow-
ing her death in September 2008. The Fairfax County Park Authority acquired the property from NVCT in 2012 and now is trying to turn the site into a neighborhood park. Park Authority officials held a public-information meeting July 30 at nearby Lemon Road Elementary School to solicit sugges-
tions from the community as to what features the park should possess. Many who spoke favored passive uses, such as trails, interpretive features and gardens. A dog park also was high on their list, said project manager Andy Galusha. The site, located at 7545 Idylwood Road, is covered under a conservation easement held
by NVCT and Park Authority officials are examining whether that agreement would permit a dog park there. Local youth-athletics groups that have been searching hard for more playing space will have to keep looking. Athletic fields are Continued on Page 22
Special Election: Voters Set to Have Their Say in 48th
PHOTOS BY BRIAN TROMPETER
Voters in portions of McLean will have the chance to go to the polls next Tuesday to pick a successor to Del. Bob Brink (D-48th), who resigned in June to take a position in the McAuliffe administration. Facing off are Democrat Richard “Rip” Sullivan Jr. of McLean and Republican David Foster of Arlington. Both are attorneys. Turnout is expected to be light; the winner will serve until the end of 2015. The 48th District, which also includes portions of Arlington and the Falls Church area of Fairfax County, is decidedly Democratic in its composition. But the prospect of low turnout has given Republicans hope that they might pick off the seat. Sullivan and Foster debated last week and were slated to hold a second debate this week (after the Sun Gazette’s weekly print deadline). Polls will be open Aug. 19 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. While the election takes place after the Sun Gazette’s weekly deadline next week, full coverage will be found immediately following the election on the paper’s Web site at www.insidenova.com/news/fairfax.
Republican David Foster
Candidates in special election square off in debate, Page 9
See our editorial on 48th race, Page 6
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Democrat Richard “Rip” Sullivan Jr.