Leewood Homeowners  Association

Mason District Dog Park  by Judy Currier

President's Message

1. Reserve study proposals were received from two firms.  One firm proposes $1,000 and the other firm proposes a $2,400-2,900 fee.  The board reviewed the proposals and developed additional questions to be addressed to the firms.  After going over the questions with the firms, the board expects to select one of the firms to conduct the reserve study.Two of the association’s certificates of deposit mature in May.   The board decided to reinvest most of the funds, retaining the funds necessary  to pay for the completed fence repairs and the scheduled road repairs.   The funds will be reinvested in certificates of deposit. The board reviewed proposals for asphalt repair work.  The work is expected to encompass (1) repair of the pot hole on Leebrad Street, (2) patching a section of the street at the intersection of Leestone and Leestone Court and (3) crack-filling cracks in asphalt throughout streets in the entire  community.  A vendor was selected, and work is conditioned on verifying  with Fairfax County Water Authority that there are no leaks in the vicinity  of Leestone Street and Court which are causing the deterioration of the street. The Spring architectural review walk-through will be underway soon.We have received numerous complaints regarding the parking situation, including:
1. parked cars leaking oil and destroying the streets homes parking more than three cars on a regular basis within the communitycars from other communities being parked in Leewood
2. cars with expired or missing county and state registrations.
  The board discussed a number of these issues and will continue to work on suitable plans of action to address these issues.  One of the immediate actions to be taken will be notices to the violators along with follow-up towing.  Please be aware that the association does have authority to tow illegally parked vehicles.   With the number of complaints being received, the board will use this means of enforcement if necessary.   
2. We are still pursuing a few proposals from area landscaping firms to review the common areas of the community and provide us with feedback on ways to improve the appearance of the common areas.  Once the proposals are received, the board will review the various proposals and determine if any additional landscaping should be done to the common areas.The deal which was struck with Lee Fence to provide fence replacements for homeowners appears to have run into difficulties.  Lee Fence has not followed up with the homeowners who have requested replacement.   Even I had the unfortunate experience of dealing with Lee Fence since I decided  to take advantage of the offer.  On behalf of the association, we have  sent a letter to Lee informing them of our dissatisfaction.  We are not sure if anything will come of the letter. Therefore, If you are still contemplating fence replacement, you may want to look elsewhere.
3. Attempts are being made to mitigate the bright lighting at Arden Courts which Leewood residents on Bradwood Court have found intrusive.  The Wilburdale association has also found the lighting to be a problem and has filed an official complaint.  If the lights cannot be removed, the intent is to get them replaced with less intense lights.

Nearby Parks and Tot Lots    by Judy Currier

• Trails and Tennis Courts

• Tot Lot

• Trails

• Trails, Little League Field, Basketball, Picnic Area, Playground, Tot Lot

• Basketball, Tennis Court (Lit), Tennis Practice Wall (Lit), Bike Trail, Fitness Trail, Nature Trail, Picnic Area, Playground, Tot Lot

• A major park with playing fields, a large natural area, a hiking trails, play ground and tot lot, tennis courts and a refreshment stand
• During the summer months, free outdoor concerts are held at the park, as are Farmers Markets.

• Dog Park (entrance from deadend at Pinecrest Parkway or the Tennis Lot parking lot at Mason District).

• 23 Acres with hiking trails, Softball Field (lit), Basketball (Lit),  Tennis Court (Lit), Picnic Area, Tot Lot and Playground.

• Pinecrest is a long, narrow course with several hilly areas and ponds, creating a golfing environment players. Pinecrest also features cart paths, a putting green and 10 driving cages. Group, or individual golf outings and lessons are available. Facilities include a modern clubhouse, pro shop and full snack bar. Golf clubs, riding and pull carts are available for rent. Pinecrest also offers indoor driving cages equipped with computer simulations of famous golf courses from around the world. Participants use every club in their bag while playing either 9 or 18 holes.
  
• The course is open all year, weather permitting. Pinecrest is accessible to people with disabilities.

• Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in Annandale Park.. Inside the nature center visitors will find natural and cultural history exhibits, a library, and an auditorium. A naturalist is always available during operating hours to answer questions.
  The surrounding park features a nature trail, a playground, picnic shelter, ballfields, and the Fred M. Packard Center. It is heavily wooded and lovely.
  The nature center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends and holidays from noon until 5 p.m., and is closed on Tuesdays.
  
• Hidden Oaks is only open on weekends during January and February.

• Fort Ward is one of the several forts which protected Washington during the Civil War.
  The museum features changing Civil War exhibits.
  Open: Tue. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. Park open daily 9 a.m. to sunset.
  
• Closed Mon., Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Day.
  

• Hidden Pond has indoor exhibits, a nature trail, a pond, tot lot and picnic shelter. A naturalist is always available during operating hours to answer questions. Abundant wildlife and extensive woodlands, along the Pohick Creek, are also features of this park. Hidden Pond is open daily from 9a.m. to 5 p.m.; weekends and holidays from noon until 5 p.m., and is closed on Tuesdays. Hidden Pond is open from noon until 5 p.m. during January and February.
  

• The park has many different demonstration gardens, as well as a greenhouse and newly expanded horticulture center to provide visitors with ideas for home landscaping. Green Spring Gardens Park also has a restored18th-century Manor House with gazebo and a wooded valley with ponds. Green Spring Gardens Park is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
  
• During the summer months, free outdoor concerts are held at the park.

• This is a major park very near to Leewood. It may be accessed from either Backlick Road or Braddock Road. You may also get to it via trails from Wakefield Rec Center and Park.

• Its 482 acres include a 77-acre lake with boating, fishing, hiking, miniature golf, a carousel, snack bar, tourboat rides, trails, picnic areas and playgrounds. Boats powered by electric motors, sailboats under 15 feet and kayaks are allowed on the lake. Swimming and windsurfing are prohibited. Nominal fees are required for miniature golf, the carousel, rowboat, pedal boat and canoe rentals.

• During the summer months, free outdoor concerts are held at the park.

• Another major resource right near Leewood. This has facilities for both indoor and outdoor fun.
  It has an Olympic-sized heated indoor pool, saunas, locker rooms with showers, a 100' x 92' gymnasium, squash, racquetball and basketball courts, fitness room, dance room, multi-purpose rooms, arts and crafts room, pottery lab, photography darkroom, and senior center.
  The park surrounding the center has a variety of ball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a tot lot, a playground and a picnic area. There are wildflowers and trails leading to Lake Accotink Park.
  
• For further information or tennis court reservations call Wakefield RECenter at 703/321-7081. People with hearing disabilities may call 703/321-8124, voice/TTY, for information on programs.
  

• Little League Field, Softball, Football
  

• A 1902 Victorian farmhouse, has been restored to its original graceful exterior. The interior has been modernized with wall-to-wall carpeting, air conditioning and a full kitchen, but retains its original detailing and woodwork. The large front porch, wraparound veranda, main entry hall, and main level rooms are a splendid setting for a dinner party of up to 40 or a cocktail reception of up to 65.
  
• With a lower level assembly room, a range of audio-visual and presentation equipment, and proximity to Rosslyn, Crystal City and the Capital Beltway, the Clark House is also a fabulous site for small corporate meetings, retreats, and seminars.
  

  ---

  Letter to the Editor

    
  Dear Neighbors,
  
  I have a sister interested in purchasing a townhouse in the Leewood area. If you are planning to sell your property, please consider calling me prior to contacting a realtor agent to list your home.  It will save you thousands of dollars on the commission fees that you have to pay to the realtor.  I can be reached at 703-622-5537 or 703-916-8219.
  
  
  Thank you,
  Leewood Resident
  

  ---

  Notice

  
  There is a very thin orange cat, with a white chest, and no collar that has been roaming the neighborhood. I am trying to determine whether this cat belongs to someone  or is he a stray. If you have any information about this cat, would you please contact Joann Walsh @ 703-354-8656 or jwalsh7046@aol.com. Thanks