Community Information
Featured in
The Washington Post (Jan. 7, 2017)
Bethesda’s Kenwood Park again teems with young families
By Harriet Edleson
Krishna Collie and his wife, Chevanniese Smith, left the District’s Chevy Chase neighborhood five years ago, when they outgrew their house there. With two young sons, and a third on the way, they thought about renovating their home to meet their needs.
“We loved our neighborhood,” said Collie, 42, but the cost of renovation was “almost like buying a new home. When we did the math it made sense for us to get a new house.”
They began looking in Bethesda, Md., and settled on a house in the Kenwood Park neighborhood.
“We wanted to be out of the city but close to the city,” said Collie, now president of the Kenwood Park Citizens Association. Their three sons are now 8, 6 and 4.
Collie, a government contractor in information technology at the National Institutes of Health, and Smith, a lawyer who commutes downtown to the American Red Cross, created a new lifestyle when they chose the Montgomery County close-in suburbs. They are among a wave of new families moving to Kenwood Park, an area first developed in the mid-1950s, when the first ramblers and ranch houses were built.
As the original residents age and move away, some houses in Kenwood Park have been torn down to make way for larger houses. Others viewed as large enough are sold to new owners like Collie and Smith.
Embassies are neighbors: The location and the schools attract families with children, much as they did when Hannah Elson, a retired NIH scientist, and her retired physician husband moved into the neighborhood 25 years ago, with their two now-grown daughters.
Kenwood Park is once again a place where children play and neighbors meet at community activities. “All of a sudden there are children everywhere,” said Elson, who was president of the neighborhood association from 1995 to 2005. In addition, there are at least two embassy residences in the neighborhood, denoted by the national flags of Tanzania and Bangladesh.
According to the Kenwood Park Citizens Association website, construction of the houses began in 1954, with the last two streets completed in 1970. The last three vacant lots, owned by the adjacent residents, were developed in 2000, and since then the only way to build in Kenwood Park has been to demolish an existing house, a growing trend in the neighborhood as in others nearby. Collie said he has seen four new houses built on his street within the past five years.
The citizens association was established in 1985, and, since then, various committees have been formed to address issues and concerns of the 640 households, all single-family homes. The trees, streets and lots committee chose dark pink, double blossom Kwanzan cherry trees for the streets, yet most only lasted 15 to 20 years. Collie said neighbors can and do replace the trees, which are distinct from the Yoshino cherry trees around the Tidal Basin.
The association has a garden club, and it organized its first fall festival and pot luck last October. Another event is the Fourth of July party. Block parties began in 2015. Activities include bridge, book and dog-walking clubs. In addition, the association contracts with a neighborhood patrol company to deter crime.
Living there: Situated between River Road and Bradley Boulevard, and roughly equidistant from the Friendship Heights and Bethesda Metro stations, Kenwood Park is bounded by Plainview Road to the north, Radnor Road to the east, Kenwood Golf and Country Club to the south and Highboro Drive, Clearwood Road and Whittier Boulevard to the west.
According to Linda Chaletzky, a real estate agent with Evers & Co. Real Estate in the District, in the past year 19 properties sold in Kenwood Park, ranging from a six-bedroom, three-bathroom split-level house bought as a teardown for $550,000 to a newly built five-bedroom, four-bath Arts and Crafts-style house for $2.285 million.
Four homes are on the market, ranging from a 1966 Colonial with six bedrooms and six baths for $1.295 million to a newly built Arts & Crafts-style house with six bedrooms and seven baths for $2.395 million.
Schools: Burning Tree Elementary, Bradley Hills Elementary, Pyle Middle, Walt Whitman High.
Transit: The closest Metro stops are the Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations on the Red Line. Montgomery Ride-on Bus 36 runs along Bradley Boulevard. The T2 Metrobus runs along River Road.
Crime: According to the Montgomery police, in the past 12 months, one burglary and one theft were reported in Kenwood Park.
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Washington, DC
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Washington, DC | |
Washington, DC![]() Washington District of Columbia Washington Chamber of Commerce The White House DC Fire Department ![]() ![]() Hospitals ![]() Children's National Medical Center Georgetown University Hospital - was founded in 1898 to promote health through education, research and patient care. Georgetown University Medical Center - is an internationally recognized academic medical center whose three-part mission of research, teaching and patient care is carried out with a strong emphasis on community outreach and public service. George Washington University Hospital George Washington University Medical Center - founded in 1824, GWUMC is an internationally recognized, interdisciplinary academic health care center comprising the School of Medicine and Health Sciences; School of Public Health and Health Services; GW Hospital, which is jointly operated by Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS); and GW Medical Faculty Associates, Inc. (MFA) which includes both the primary care and specialty practices of the medical faculty. Howard University Hospital - has made an art of designing and implementing programs that position the hospital to continue its tradition of quality service in a highly fluid environment. National Rehabilitation Hospital - we specialize in the everyday miracles that allow people to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of disabling injury or illness. The Psychiatric Institute of Washington - provides comprehensive behavioral healthcare for children, adolescents, adults and senior adults suffering from emotional and addictive illnesses. Sibley Memorial Hospital - we at Sibley Hospital are proud to be an integral part of this community. For 110 years, we have set our sights on providing compassionate and medically advanced care. Washington Hospital Center - is the largest private hospital in the national's capital. A member of MedStar Health, the not-for-profit Hospital Center is licensed for 907 beds and, on average, operates at near capacity. Health services in primary, secondary and tertiary care are offered to adult and neonatal patients. ![]() ![]() Parks ![]() Anacostia Park is one of Washington, D.C.'s largest and most important recreation areas. Included in Anacostia Park is Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Marsh. Baltimore-Washington Parkway Opened in 1954, the parkway is a 29-mile scenic highway that connects Baltimore, Maryland with Washington, D.C. The part of the parkway from Washington, D.C. to Fort Meade,Maryland is managed by the National Park Service. Capitol Hill Parks Included in this group are Lincoln; Folger, Stanton; and Marion Parks; Maryland Avenue Triangles; Pennsylvania Avenue Medians; Squares and Triangles, including Seward Square, and Potomac Avenue Metro Stations, Twining Square; and otherinner-city triangles and squares. Constitution Gardens is a living legacy to the founding of the republic as well as an oasis in the midst of a city landscape. The 50 acres of the park were originally beneath the Potomac River! Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens constitutes some 700 acres and is part of Anacostia Park. The Park includes the "Gardens", Kenilworth Marsh, ballfields and recreational facilities National Capital Parks-East NCP-East includes 12 major park areas at 98 locations that are a part of Washington, D.C. and its eastern environs. The park areas encompass over 8,000 acres and offer a wide array of historic, natural, and recreational areas. President's Park President's Park (White House) Recreation & Parks Dept Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. It offers visitors an opportunity to reflect and soothe their spirits through the beauty of nature. ![]() |
Transportation![]() Amtrak rail America's only national passenger railroad system. Tickets may be purchased at Union Station, Amtrak's Travel Center (1721 K St. NW), New Carrollton (MD) station or Alexandria (VA) station. American Airlines - offers a variety of fine wines from major wine growing regions throughout the world for your inflight pleasure. Northwest Airlines GreyHound (Bus) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority ![]() ![]() Newspapers ![]() Library |
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Montgomery County, MD | |
Norwood Park, Bethesda |
![]() Hospitals ![]() Adventist HealthCare - is a non-profit, network of health care providers that includes hospitals, home health agencies, nursing centers and other health care services. Holy Cross Hospital - is a faith-based, mission-driven community teaching hospital serving the residents of Montgomery and Prince George's Counties. Laurel Regional Hospital - is a full-service community hospital serving northern Prince George's County and Montgomery, Howard, and Anne Arundel counties with 146 beds and 670 employees. Suburban Hospital Healthcare System - is a community-owned hospital serving Montgomery County and the surrounding area since 1943. ![]() ![]() Transportation ![]() Bethesda Transportation Solutions North Bethesda Transportation Center White Ferry Baltimore-Washington International Airport ![]() ![]() Library ![]() Montgomery County Public Libraries ![]() ![]() Entertainment ![]() Adventure Theatre World premieres, comedies, musicals, classics, contemporary works--you'll see them all in this 53rd season! Imagination Stage - is the largest and most respected multi-disciplinary theatre arts organization for young people in the region. Olney Theatre Center - offers a diverse array of professional productions year-round that enrich, nurture and challenge a broad range of artists, audiences and students. One of two state theaters of Maryland, OTC is situated on 14 acres in the heart of the beautiful Washington-Baltimore-Frederick "triangle," within easy access of all three cities. Round House Theatre Each season, Round House presents an eclectic body of work on its MainStage. Our plays range from world premieres through the finest writing of this century to contemporary adaptations of the classics. The National Capital Trolley Museum The collections consist of 17 streetcars from Washington D.C. and other cities. Many of these are operated on a one-mile demonstration railway. ![]() |
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Fairfax County, VA | |
![]() Hospitals ![]() Dominion Hospital Fair Oaks Medical Center Fairfax Hospital Hayfield Urgent Care Inova Health System Inova Mount Vernon Hospital Kaiser Permanente Reston Hospital Center ![]() ![]() City Sites ![]() Alexandria Fairfax County Fairfax Falls Church Herndon Mount Vernon Reston Vienna ![]() ![]() Newspapers ![]() Alexandria Arlington Bureau Connection Newspaper Falls Church News Press Gannett Offset Las Americas Newspaper Inc. Okaz Newspaper Omaid Weekly Inc Style Inc THE OBSERVER The Associated Press The Chronicle Newspapers The Hansan Group Incorporated The International Estimate U S A Weekend, Inc ![]() ![]() Parks ![]() Bull Run Regional Park Mulch Solutions Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Lake Accotink Park - 493 acres includes a 55-acre lake, wetlands and streams offering unique views of waterfowl and marsh life. Facilities and activities vary with the season and include canoe, boat rentals, fishing, tour-boat rides, boat launch, bait and tackle sales, hiking/biking trail and play fields. Frying Pan Park - preserves and interprets a rural community setting in a suburban environment for the educational, cultural and recreational enrichment of the citizens and visitors of Fairfax County. Great Falls Grange Park - is located at 9818 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. The park, in the heart of Great Falls, has baseball/softball fields, a picnic area with pavilion, and a small tot lot. Green Spring Garden Park - is a 27-acre park located in Alexandria, Virginia, just a few minutes travel from the Nation's Capitol. Through its gardens and educational programming, Green Spring advances the awareness and practice of gardening in Metropolitan Washington, DC. The Turner Farm - 52-acre park is located on the site of a former dairy farm. The land was saved from development by a public/private partnership started in 1994 to "Save-the-Farm." Colvin Run Mill Historic Site - was acquired by the Fairfax County Park Authority for the preservation of Colvin Run Mill and its associated historic buildings, and for the enjoyment and education of visitors. It has been open to the public since 1972. Sully Historic Site - reflects the history of Fairfax County. Completed in 1799 by Richard Bland Lee, the main house at Sully combines aspects of Georgian and Federal architecture. Hidden Oaks Nature Center The Park is rich in history. While strolling through the woods, visitors can view a railroad embankment built just before the Civil War. Huntley Meadows Park - is a rich, natural island in the suburban sea of Northern Virginia. Its 1,425 acres harbor majestic forests, wildflower-speckled meadows and vast wetlands bursting with life. ![]() |
![]() Law Enforcement ![]() The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department The Fairfax County General District Court The Fairfax County Police Department Fairfax County Office of the Sheriff ![]() ![]() Library ![]() Fairfax County Public Library Fairfax Law Library ![]() ![]() Transportation ![]() Fairfax Connector Metrobus and Metrorail Virginia Railway Express (VRE) - is a commuter rail service with two major lines. One originates in Manassas and the other originates in Fredericksburg-operating to and from Union Station in Washington, D.C. ![]() ![]() Entertainment ![]() Foundation For Collingwood Library and Museum on Americanism - occupies 8.75 acres of land on the banks of the Potomac River, midway between Alexandria and Mount Vernon on what was once part of George Washington's River Farm. Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House - tells the story of Frank Lloyd Wright's innovative designs for a modestly-sized and affordable single-family house and how two families adapted the dwelling to fit their lifestyle. Gunston Hall Plantation - is a 550-acre National Historic Landmark. Mount Vernon George Washington's Estate The estate, gardens and farm of Mount Vernon totaled some 8,000 acres in the 18th century. Visitors can see 20 structures and 50 acres of gardens as they existed in 1799. The estate also includes a museum, the tombs of George and Martha Washington, Washington's greenhouse, and more. The Udvar-Hazy Center - National Air and Space Museum. Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts - with music from classical to jazz and pop to family musicals, plays and opera, Wolf Trap Park for the Performing Arts is the only performing arts park operated by the U.S. National Park Service. Center for the Arts (George Mason University) - Great Performances at Mason is a program of George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts. McLean Community Center American Music Stage - is a non-profit theatre company that is dedicated to presenting family musicals to the theatre going community in the tri-state area. ![]() |
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Falls Church City, VA | |
![]() City Sites ![]() Falls Church City ![]() ![]() Law Enforcement ![]() Clerk of the Court Fire and rescue services are provided through a cooperative effort between the Falls Church Volunteer Fire Department, City of Falls Church, and the Arlington County Fire Department Police Department is committed to providing a safe environment for all residents to work and live in by protecting life, property, and preserving peace within the community Sheriff's Office is committed to providing courteous and professional service to the citizens of Falls Church ![]() ![]() Hospitals ![]() Capital Hospice Chantilly Medical Center Reston Hospital is a 187 bed, full-service medical/surgical hospital serving Northern Virginia (Fairfax and Loudoun Counties) ![]() ![]() Schools ![]() Falls Church City Public Schools Division is committed to maintaining its standing as the premier small school system in the nation. Our four schools serve more than 1850 students including some tuition students who live in communities outside the City of Falls Church ![]() |
![]() Transportation ![]() GEORGE Local Transit System is the City of Falls Church, Virginia's clean diesel bus that provides local transit service to and from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's (WMATA) East and West Falls Church Metrorail stations and throughout the City Metropolitan Washington Transit Authority Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a commuter rail service with two major lines. One originates in Manassas and the other originates in Fredericksburg-operating to and from Union Station in Washington, D.C. ![]() ![]() Library ![]() Fairfax County Public Library Mary Riley Styles Public Library ![]() ![]() Newspapers ![]() Falls Church News-Press A weekly newspaper that has feature articles on local and national news, sports, commentary, arts and entertainment, and classifieds ![]() ![]() Parks ![]() City Parks The City offers 11 parks where residents and visitors can walk, run, bike, trail, and play. Many of the City's parks have play equipment where children can swing and slide; our parks offer lighted basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts as well as picnic tables and grill equipment for summer cookouts. Leesylvania State Park Mason Neck State Park ![]() |
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Arlington County, VA | |
![]() City Sites ![]() Arlington Crystal City ![]() ![]() Hospitals ![]() Columbia-Arlington Hospital The Virginia Hospital Center Arlington Auxiliary Inc Northern Virginia Community Hospital - 164-bed general hospital located in the heart of Arlington, VA. Our facility offers convenient, comfortable, friendly and cutting edge treatment with a wide range of clinical inpatient and outpatient services for adults. Manor Care Health Services - Arlington ![]() ![]() Newspapers ![]() The Bureau Of National Affairs Inc Washington Business Journal Arlington Connection Henderson Hall News USA Today ![]() ![]() Parks ![]() Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority Upton Hill Regional Park Arlington House - The house that Robert E. Lee called home for 30 years and one uniquely associated with the Washington and Custis families is preserved today as a memorial to General Lee, who gained the respect of Americans in both the North and South. Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac - the Memorial is located in Lady Bird Johnson Park, a Potomac River island in Washington, D.C. Theodore Roosevelt Island Park - this wooded island is a fitting memorial to the outdoorsman, naturalist, and visionary who was our 26th President. Upton Hill Regional Park - offers visitors a wooded oasis in the heart of the most densely populated area of Northern Virginia. ![]() |
![]() Law Enforcement ![]() Arlington County Sheriff's Office Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney Arlington Fire Department Arlington Police Department ![]() ![]() Transportation ![]() Alexandria Transit Company Virginia Railway Express - VRE provides commuter rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City and downtown Washington, D.C. Arlington Transit - ART operates within Arlington County, Virginia, supplementing Metrobus with smaller, neighborhood-friendly vehicles and providing access to Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Arlington County Commuter Assistance Program - CAP serving people who live and/or work in, or travel through Arlington by providing programs and services that help them find a smarter way to work. Fairfax Connector ![]() ![]() Library ![]() Arlington Public Library ![]() ![]() Entertainment ![]() Arlington Historical Museum Fort C.F. Smith Park - this beautiful 19-acre site includes a scenic view of Washington, DC, a lush tree canopy, an open meadow, the lovely Hendry House and preserved earthworks of the Civil War fort built in 1863. The American Century Theater - is dedicated to presenting great, important, and neglected plays of the Twentieth Century - what Henry Luce called "the American Century." Signature theatre Teatro De LA Luna - our performances are in Spanish, with live English dubbing. ![]() |
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![]() Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed to be accurate. |