Join us for a Slice of Heaven AT CLEMYJONTRI’S
Concert in the Park APRIL 25, 2015
Featuring fine dining and live music hosted at the park. This is the Friends of Clemy primary annual sustaining fundraiser to preserve McLean’s own slice of heaven. Concert in the Park is a unique night of black-tie whimsy and unbeatable community. Seating is limited to 100 people. Reservations are $1000 per guest or reserve a table for parties of ten. Registration is available at www.friendsofclemy.com
The design of the entire facility takes all abilities into account. Signs are presented in multiple languages, American Sign Language, and in Braille. Even the plantings were chosen with care. Vegetation with a high pollen count or that attracts bees was minimized. The surface is soft and porous yet durable to accommodate wheelchairs. In spite of its durability, the high visitor count caused it to wear out in eight years instead of its projected ten years. The Fairfax County Park Authority, which operates and maintains the park, has just completed a $1 Million resurfacing project. Friends of Clemy is a non-profit volunteer organization which was founded to raise money and provide financial support for the park outside of the county’s budget. With extremely low operating costs, almost all donations go directly into park enhancements. In 2010 they purchased and installed the Liberty Swing, in 2011, they donated the drum circle, in 2012 they helped purchase and install the permanent “Big Top” tent providing a space for events plus an additional shade location when children need rest or quiet play. The Friends also hosts events like the 2012 Wounded Warrior picnic where , in that case, the parents had disabilities. Everyone can enjoy Clemyjontri. The future is bright for the park. There are new phases of development in planning. including a Discovery Zone geared toward slightly older children. Wheelchair-accessible trails also will be established around the property. Clemyjontri is a fantastic destination location for thousands and it also brings diners and shoppers to the area. However the mission remains to provide a place “where every child can play.” Perhaps the best story comes from a mother who explained that her child was developmentally disabled but, through their visits to Clemyjontri, her child was able to catch up with the other kids. Truly Clemyjontri is, as the Friends say, a slice of heaven. v
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MARCH // APRIL 2015 ◊
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