Congratulations to those who have worked so hard, tirelessly and persistently for so long.

From Charlottesville Tomorrow –

An effort to upgrade the pool at Claudius Crozet Park to a year-round facility took a major step forward Wednesday after the Albemarle Board of Supervisors voted to reallocate $200,000 in capital funding towards improvements at the park.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

via email –

Go Green and support PARC this Wednesday!

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

via email -

Final Plans for PARC Project Near

With the help of community professionals volunteering their time and expertise, Crozet Park has been able to turn a multi-year, multi-phase 1.2 million dollar facility into a two year, $600,000 project yielding us an indoor aquatics and recreation center by September of 2012. To date, community professional have come together to donate their time and services in preparation of the facility. Phil Kirby, Crozet resident and senior executive of Barton Malow has been instrumental in allowing the recreation facility to become a reality, donating all services, including general contracting and guaranteeing the project for $600,000 dollars.  Kirby is ready to start construction later this month pending the remaining $200,000 being secured through funding from the Albemarle County Parks and Recreation Department.

Thanks to the community and donors, the Crozet Park has recently raised the $400,000 needed to put a dome over the Crozet pool and provide year round aquatics. If all goes as planned, at the January 11, 2012 Board of Supervisors meeting, an additional $200,000 will be received from the County for the needed renovations to the community building.  This is funding that was initially allocated to the Park in 2008 to put in tennis courts, basketball courts and trails.  With the early fundraising successes of the PARC project, Park Board members met with County staff in late 2010 and determined that the money might be better spent completing the PARC recreation building.  If the recreation phase were completed concurrently, there would be an enormous savings in construction and the PARC would be able to provide numerous recreational and fitness opportunities. This would also create a center that would become a hub for programming tennis and basketball.  

Meetings with County staff proved positive regarding this transfer in funds, and in the past year PARC committee members have been working with Bob Crickenberger of Albemarle County Parks and Recreation toward a successful transfer of these funds to the PARC project.  However, tennis, basketball and trails still need to be given a place in the park and the Crozet Park Board will be responsible for replacing the funding for these facilities in a fashion that meets County requirements. With the help of our district supervisor, Ann Malleck, the Park Board has been working actively to come to an agreement that both satisfies the County requirements and makes it possible for the Park to fundraise for these facilities.  

In response to this opportunity, and in a matter of months, $68,000 has been raised for tennis, thanks to the efforts of Lynda Harrill, the Quickstart Tennis coordinator.  This spring, the goal is to start with 3 Quickstart Tennis courts and continue fundraising to complete 2 additional adult courts that easily double as Quickstart courts as needed.  Through a joint venture agreement, the PARC will be operated by the Piedmont YMCA who will also provide programming opportunities for these amenities as they are built.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

via press release:

“Community Meets Match Challenge Again!

In less than a month, the community has once again rallied together and met a match challenge in support of the Crozet PARC (Park Aquatics and Recreation Center).  After learning of a Park shortfall in funds due to the Crozet pool re-plastering this past spring, a donor came forth with a $10,000 gift and $10,000 match if the PARC were able to raise $20,000 by year’s end.   This match was presented to the community and in less than two weeks, gifts large and small came pouring in, exceeding the match challenge!  Heidi Sonen, Crozet Park Board member said, “The community has spoken not once, but twice to its commitment to see this facility succeed.”  The first community challenge of $200,000 was met in September of 2011. Final plans for this project are progressing with an anticipated construction start date of mid January 2012.  Look for updates in the next two weeks on the PARC website.

Crozet PARC will be the first aquatics and recreation center open to the public in Albemarle County.”

Now … let’s get cracking on that Library …

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

From the Crozet listserv:

We have exciting news to share regarding the Crozet PARC (Park Aquatics and Recreation Center).

We are in the FINAL stages of approval and fundraising and if all goes as planned we will start construction in early February with a completion date of May, 2012!  Our Architectural and Building Committee has been working diligently and are “ready to build”.  The PARC has raised the community match thanks to all our community friends.

The Park Board made a major improvement by re-plastering the pool last spring, and we need to rebuild that account, so the Park match of $200,000 is solid. In mid December we were given another $10,000 gift with another $10,000 match IF we can raise the remaining 20,000 shortfall by the end of the year.

We have recieved $11,000 in pledges and donations in the last few days, so we are now only $9,000 shy.   Right before Christmas, we received a $10,000 pledge, which will be received if we raise this last $9000 before the end of the year.
That ‘s right, we’ll receive the $10,000 match grant, giving us a total of $40,000 raised in December and covering the shortfall due to the re-plastering of the pool.

If you are considering any end of the year giving opportunities please consider the Park… it adds up fast and will give us the security we need to make this project successful along with a $10,000 match gift.  All donations and pledges (yes, pledges will count toward making our match gift so you can pledge now and pay later; but  we need to receive something in writing or a donation dated for this year)  can be sent to:

Crozet PARC
PO Box 171
Crozet, VA 22932

Again thank you for all your support in making this project a reality.  Crozet Park will have the first year round aquatics and recreation facility open to the public in the County thanks to the Crozet community and its passion to see things happen!   Look for more information in the weeks to come.  If you have any questions, please contact Cynthia at cvelles@embarqmail.com.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Matilda Blue Family Friendly QuickStart Tennis Program (PDF)

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Read about it at their site.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

From Crozet Park’s newsletter:

1. Good news- after about year and half of fundraising we as a community have raised nearly $193,000 That puts us just $7,000 away from our goal of $200,000 on the community match. We have until SEPT 01 – one month to close the gap – we have that deadline from a local foundation in order to receive a grant from them.   

The July 2nd weekend events of the Swing Dance and the fireworks raised about $10,000 for this campaign. ?

2. Bad news – despite all of the fundraising we didn’t make the early June deadline to put the down payment needed for fall/winter opening on the dome so it will NOT happen for this upcoming winter season.?

3. Where does that leave us now? Finish the remaining $7,000 so we can get the local grant and helping the park raise the final portion of their part of the pledge.   

In May, the park had a large expense in replastering the pool and they still need to raise a bit more to have all of their part of the $200,000 pledge.?

Still looking for volunteers – help with planning tennis and basketball for the park AND we can always use grant writing help! Please contact us via ccp@ccp.avenue.org   
Most likely next event – Fall Party for the PARC as well as the Fall Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival going to help get that portion of the money. Upcoming Dave Mathews/ Tim Reynolds concert at Pavilion Sat Aug 20 – you can pick a charity – chose Claudius Crozet Park to be the beneficiary!!   

Thank you Crozet Community for your generous support as we all work hard in getting a year-round recreational facility in western Albemarle county!

If you’re inclined to donate:

Make checks payable to “Claudius Crozet Park” (with “Pool Dome” written in the memo section)

Mail to: Claudius Crozet Park Pool Dome
PO Box 171
Crozet, VA 22932
or
Make a donation on-line

All gifts are tax deductible

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

via Press Release:

QCV is pleased to announce it is partnering with Claudius Crozet Park in Crozet, VA to reintroduce tennis to the 50-year-old park and provide three permanent QuickStart Tennis courts for kids in western Albemarle County and two regulation courts for players of all ages. Both organizations are 501(c)(3) nonprofits with histories of productive collaborations, community outreach and tangible, goal-oriented results.

Lynda Harrill, QCV Founder, says, “Kids need kid-sized courts to play on. Permanent 36-foot courts make it possible for kids to jump on a court and play any time they want. Spontaneous play is a big part of the USTA’s Competency Progression for kids and an integral part of the “Tennis Pathway” we are building in our community. Last summer QCV found out the Crozet Park Board wanted to reinstate their tennis courts and persuaded them to include QuickStart Tennis in their plans.

As part of the USTA’s Target Market Initiative this year, the Crozet project was selected as the initial permanent 36-foot court site in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area. Kids need safe places to play, and Crozet Park is a wonderful environment for tennis and so many other sports and activities. It’s a true community park and represents the best in community volunteerism! Crozet Park is the centerpiece of QCV’s efforts to grow a public tennis tradition in western Albemarle County and an integral part of QCV’s STEP UP for QuickStart! Initiative.”

The courts will be similar to the courts shown below.
?   

Permanent 36-foot QuickStart Courts in Cary, NC

The three QuickStart Tennis courts at Crozet Parks will cost approximately $54,000. Two regulation courts with 60-foot QuickStart blended lines will cost another $120,000. The USTA is providing a portion of the funding for the QuickStart courts. Additional funds will need to be raised to complete both projects.

“Crozet Park is very excited to bring tennis back to the community,” says Heidi Sonen, Crozet Park Board member and Crozet PARC Executive Committee Member. “We particularly think it’s important for area children to learn a lifelong sport like tennis, and nothing is more kid-friendly than QuickStart Tennis. We’re so excited about QuickStart Tennis that we are offering it this summer as part of the YMCA camp at Crozet Park even before the permanent courts are built. Our park is within walking distance of many neighborhoods and centrally located in the Crozet Growth Area. These will be the only public tennis courts in the center of the growth area open to everyone. The Crozet Park Aquatics and Recreation Center (PARC) goal of offering diverse year-round recreation to all residents in western Albemarle County and beyond includes QuickStart Tennis in a big way!”

Through its Jump Start QuickStart Tennis Initiative, QCV works with schools, parks & recreation departments, private clubs, camps and other youth-centric organizations in 21 counties in central Virginia to grow tennis using the QuickStart Tennis format.

Through its STEP UP for QuickStart! Initiative QCV organizes groups of parents and volunteers to grow QuickStart Tennis in specific areas or at specific schools.

************************************************************************************************
QuickStart Tennis of Central Virginia is an all-volunteer, grassroots Community Tennis Association established in 2009 as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization to promote, develop and grow QuickStart Tennis in 21 counties and one independent city in Central Virginia for all beginners, especially underserved youth.
QCV’s Service Area includes Albemarle, Amelia, Brunswick, Buckingham, Charlotte, Culpeper, Cumberland, Dinwiddie, Fluvanna, Greene, Greensville, Louisa, Lunenburg, Madison, Mecklenburg, Nelson, Nottoway, Orange, Prince Edward, Powhatan and Rappahannock counties and the City of Charlottesville.
Visit QCV at: www.quickstartcentral.org

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

More than 50 swimmers from the Piedmont Family YMCA’s CYAC Swim Team will swim laps Wednesday, March 23, at the team’s “Splash for Cash” to raise funds for the Crozet Park’s Aquatic and Recreation Center (P.A.R.C.)

Let’s help Crozet Pool raise the last $50k!

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

The park has raised $350,000 for the dome and rec center in one year. In order to get a matching grant by a local foundation, the board needs another $50,000 by April 1.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Via press release:

Trees will be recycled into free mulch for the public

It’s almost that time of year again! As in the past, the Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Dept will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program beginning December 26, 2010 through January 17, 2011. The Christmas Tree Recycling Program collects discarded Christmas trees which are chipped into mulch and then offered to the public at no cost. This program has been in operation since 1988 and recycles over 3400 trees each year; which in turn yields over 144 cubic yards of mulch. Not only does this recycling program provide citizens a place to dispose of a potentially large and cumbersome item, it also reduces the impact on our landfill.

By combining forces with the Charlottesville Curb Side Pick-Up Program, the two programs collected over 5600 trees last year, yielding approximately 268 cubic yards of mulch. According to the City Public Works Department, their curbside pick up will be the week of January 10th, 2011. Trees must be at the curbside by 7am. Shortly after the City’s curbside pick up, the County and City Parks & Recreation crews will team up to chip trees at Darden Towe Park.

As a reminder, this program is for Christmas trees only, please no yard waste. Both the County & City programs require that all decorations, stands and nails be removed from the Christmas trees. Free mulch will be available to citizen by February 1, 2011, at Darden Towe Park.

The County will operate seven sites daily, 7am till dark. The sites are as follows:

• Chris Greene Lake in Earlysville
• Crozet Park
• Darden Towe Park
• Greenwood Community Center
• Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road (*note: Sunday hours are 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm)
• Scottsville Community Center
• Walnut Creek Park

The recycling location on McIntire Rd may be congested so please consider Darden Towe Park as an alternate location that is less congested and is suited better for large loads and contract haulers.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

From Crozet Park:

A huge thank you to all those who contributed and to all those who attended the Party for the PARC event at King Family Vineyards last Friday.  The community event featured music, great food and drink, and a silent and live auction.  We raised $51,000 for the Crozet Park Aquatic and Recreation Center.   We are so close to our goal!  and working hard to open the facility in 2011!  Visit www.CrozetPark.org for more information.

Thanks,

Claudius Crozet Park, Inc.

Update 21 November 2010:

It has been a week since our Party for the PARC live auction event at King Family Vineyard. We simply cannot be happier with the support of our community. It took a team of dedicated volunteers to organize this event, generous donors as well as a stellar turn out from our community who bid on items and wrote many, many checks.  We are very pleased to report that we raised $51,000! This amount simply surpassed all our expectations. THANK YOU TO ALL!

We are closer than ever to the PHASE ONE of our long range planning, which is installing a dome over Crozet Park Pool allowing year-round swimming in our community. But we are not quite there yet.

Please consider donating to Crozet PARC if you have not already. You can do so by making a check out to Crozet PARC and mailing it to

Crozet PARC?PO Box 171?Crozet, VA 22932

or make a donation on-line by going to http://www.crozetparkpool.com/parccampaign.html.
 

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

PARTY FOR THE PARC – Our First Annual Fundraiser – Friday November 12, 2010

King Family Vineyard – 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  Music by the Rick Olivarez Trio Heavy Hors d’oeuvres by L’etoile, Da Luca, Pesto Mediterranean, Three Notch’d Grill Desserts by Mudhouse and Carpe Donut Local Beer provided by Blue Mountain Brewery Featuring King Family Vineyard Wines Local Cider by Chiles Orchard Live and Silent Auction.  

Auctioneer: Larry Batton

Click here to view a sampling of the offerings. To help support this event, please click here.  To be added to the invitation list, contact Peggy Ehrenberg.

Read more in the invitation.

Also -

This is truly a community fund raiser – a way for local folks help make their community better. So I’m passing it along to the Crozet Community Association.

For the first time that Crozet Park is holding a fundraiser outside of Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival. We’ve been awarded a local matching grant for the Crozet PARC (park, aquatics and recreation center) project from the Perry Foundation and must match the money to receive the grant.     We are holding this special fundraiser on Friday Nov. 12, at the King Family Vineyard with a silent/ live auction, music, local beer, wine and hour d’ ourves catered by L’toile.

Tickets must be purchased in advance and are expected to sell out early- submit your contact info to thehttp://www.crozetparkpool.com/ If you would like to attend or possibly donate to our silent auction by clicking on ” Support Our Expansion”. Additionally highlights of the upcoming event, the form to donate or advertise at the event are also available on the web-site.

With local community support we can meet our goal of year round swimming here in Crozet by next fall.  It would also mean that WAHS swimmers would have a home here in Crozet.

See you on Friday Nov 12th at 7pm at the King Family Vineyard!

Sincerely,
The Crozet PARC organizing committee

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

“This Saturday is Family Movie Night at Crozet Park Pool! We will be showing “The Lightning Thief” starting shortly after 8:00. The cost is $3 for non-season pass holders, free for season-pass holders. Come join us for an evening of swimming, fun, and a movie!”

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Note: the green/italicized portion of this post are from the public hearing on the Restore N Station.

• RT @CBS19Weather: Tracking a storm in Augusta Co. near Staunton, moving east towards Crozet. -MH #
• Pick up your copy of the Crozet Gazette today! #
• Rode my bike to show a house in Old Trail. http://bit.ly/98S0WL It’s hot. #
• Chiles Orchard has peaches. http://bit.ly/9Lqlcu (FB link) #
• Dear Crozet gas stations & consumers: 3 miles or so past the Greenwood Store is a better option. http://tweetphoto.com/25522493 #
• RT @CBS19Weather: Flooding waters running across Mint Springs Road, especially from entrance to park up to Emerald Ridge in Crozet. #
• Big rain, wind, lightning. You know, summer. In Crozet. http://tweetphoto.com/25432192 #
• RT @julenesque: Oh wait, I think the new Crozet borders include me now, or maybe it’s the Crozet Growth zone? (cont) http://tl.gd/1lj64t #
• It rained hard at my house an hour ago; 100 yards away – dry as a bone. #
• @CVilleKim I’d vote for taking 64 home. 250 West is bound to have standing water in places, & more chance for a tree being down in reply to CVilleKim #
• View looking from my neighborhood in Crozet towards Charlottesville http://tweetphoto.com/25402250 #
• All clear in Crozet. cc @gingergermani @TravisKoshko http://tweetphoto.com/25401446 #
• @GoodwinCreek what are your Crozet delivery days/locations? in reply to GoodwinCreek #
• RT @CrozetGazette: June issue out tomorrow! 40 pages of your hometown low-down! #
• Who’s missing a chocolate lab in Crozet? http://bit.ly/aG9Dko (please RT) #
• RT @ancym: Meals on Wheels needs drivers in Crozet – spare an hour/week or even /month? http://bit.ly/bAagGu or DM me #crozet Pls RT #
• RT @julenesque: I wish I could be surprised by the Goliath Gas Station decision, but it seems like par for the course. #
• RT @Duewestphoto: RT @CBS19: [NEWS] Despite Concerns, Board Approves Plans for Crozet Gas Station http://bit.ly/a5dPdD #
• RT @gingergermani: Mary Rice of Crozet now speaking against station. It is clear that no one in Crozet wants this station. #
• Frank Calhoun (sp) speaking. Moved his horse farm to Crozet b/c of character of neighborhood. #
• Barbara Westbrook of Crozet speaking. Against. #
• Mr Brown said he asked “Ms Higgins, would you live in my house if the gas station was there? Her answer was ‘no’” #
• RT @realcrozetva: Richard Brown, who lives on Free Town lane speaking. Against. [We've got to live there!] #
• I’d like to hear one member of the public not affiliated w/ the applicant speak for it. Seriously #
• Richard Brown, who lives on Free Town lane speaking. Against. #
• Mike Marshall, chair of the Crozet Community Advisory Council speaking. Against. #
• Bruce Kirtley, owner of the Exxon station, speaking. “No motivation to squelch competition.” “Opposed to the size & scope” #
• I’d like to know what are the real comparable gas stations. Cc: @cvilletomorrow #
• “This is about preventing competition” … Maybe, but it’s likely more public opposition than business opposition. #
• What road improvements will the Station require? Bringing in a lot of trucks will necessitate a wider road, turn lanes, etc. #
• RT @gingergermani: Higgans said they consulted with the neighbors. I am sitting next to one of them who says they did not consult with them. #
• It’s amazing how small our community is. Former planning commissioners abound, on both sides of the issue. #
• Marcia Joseph speaking on behalf of herself. Giving history & context to BZA appeals & saying community should have input. #
• Tom Goeke (sp) speaking against Restore N Station & accompanying truck traffic. #
• Gardy Bloomers (sp) speaking on behalf of Scenic 250 organization. Against the big truck stop/station. Not against smaller store. #
• Personally, I can’t think of arguments for this that benefit the people of Crozet/Albemarle with respect to the Restore N Station. #
• Making the comparison b/t proposed station & BP station. The new one would be HUGE. #
• Hearing on proposed Crozet “Restore N Station” at 2pm today. http://bit.ly/dph5jH #22932 #crozet #
• Anyone know if the Crozet school & office supply store offers print/copy service? #
• RT @NBC29: A well-known Crozet man has passed away. Jesse McDaniel died last week after a battle with lung cancer. http://ht.ly/1Sdzq #
• RT @ryancordell: Charlottesville, Crozet, Virginia–you’ve been good to our family. Thanks for everything, and we’ll see you again. #fb #
• Anyone interested in pickup soccer in Crozet this summer? #
• At the Old Trail pool. It’s hot. http://tweetphoto.com/24749971 #

Powered by Twitter Tools

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Just a reminder that this weekend brings the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival. And, but for a couple possible thunderstorms, it should be a beautiful weekend.

Deep in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia lies the little town of Crozet. Steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery, Crozet is a supportive, growing community close to Charlottesville. Monticello, Ashlawn, Montpelier, the University of Virginia, Skyline Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway and the nearby Shenandoah Valley make central Virginia a place of interest to visitors from all of the the world. Charlottesville is consistently ranked by Money Magazine as one of the 100 Best Places to Live in America. Those who visit often find ways to return – and some make it their permanent home.

The Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival is now entering its 30th year and has become a tradition for many artists, patrons, volunteers and entertainers alike. It has a strong reputation locally and the demographics of the area provide support year after year. Due to its central location in the Commonwealth and its convenient access to many major roadways, including I-81 and I-64, the Charlottesville area makes a great show stop between major cities. Any time of year is a good time of year to do business here.

Update: If you have some time, feel free to volunteer at the Crozet Arts & Crafts Festival.

The tents are up and we are getting ready to host over 100 exhibits for the 30th Annual Crozet Arts & Crafts Spring Festival. However, we are in need of more volunteers to help us Saturday and Sunday! Please, please consider volunteering an hour or two or more. But if you could only work an hour, we can use your help. There are a variety of tasks from running the information tent to pouring Starr Hill beer at the wine and beer tent on Sunday (must be 21 to volunteer at the wine and beer tent).

Any time you can provide will be greatly appreciated! Funds generated from this event help run the operating costs of Claudius Crozet Park, Inc. and ultimately will help us provide support for the Crozet P.A.R.C. campaign. It takes a village to run this event. Claudius Crozet Park, Inc, is a non-profit and independently-run park(no funds are received from Albemarle County).

See the link below and consider where you might be able to provide help with this event, please?

www.crozetartsandcrafts.volunteerhub.com (we only need your name and email when you sign up)

WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!!

www.crozetpark.org
www.crozetartsandcrafts.com
www.facebook.com/ClaudiusCrozetPark

P.S.
Entertainment on Saturday beginning at 3:30 p.m. will be Terry Allard, Darryl Rose and the Kid Pan Alley singing group. It promises to be great entertainment!

_______________________________________________

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Editor’s Note: Leslie Burns was kind enough to answer my call for someone to write about last week’s Crozet Community Association meeting.

A handful of Crozet Citizens showed up last Thursday to hear what is happening in our town at the Crozet Community Association gathering. Who are these folks? Why, they are your neighbors… hoping to pull together and grow community involvement. You might not have heard about the meeting or paid much attention to the small signs announcing it that were posted around the main intersection of town. But maybe it is time to start showing up at these association meetings…they only meet five times a year. It is not a huge commitment to make. That was one of the issues that came up at the meeting- how to reach out and connect the many neighborhoods and people living out there that have the health of our town in mind.

Here’s the dilemma. No tax revenues = no new funds to support the type of cultural and much needed improvements (think Library, road improvements, sidewalks, etc.) that are at the very heart of the Master Plan of Crozet. So where do the revenue hungry turn when it is time to welcome developers of light industrial business parks? The easiest places to access are usually given the green light for development first and we have a light that we should examine closely before we let it change on us. Some of the locations recently designated by our leaders for ideal growth are a few major intersections of highways with Rte 64.

It was announced tonight at the Crozet Community Association meeting that there is going to be a Master Plan review and meeting on Thursday, January 21st whose purpose (for one) will bring to light an idea that at least one person in our community claims will supply the revenue generating light industrial growth that Crozet (by way of our growth-area designation in the county) is destined to support. Where is this development to occur? The proposed development of land equal to the size of two Fashion Square Malls, sits quietly by the intersection of 250 and 64 at that sleepy little intersection that is the gateway to our homes and schools right now. Imagine a Waynesboro type intersection right next to our lovely pastoral village. Is this what you moved to Crozet to get close to?

If “Intersectionville” is the very name of the town you want to live in you may well get it, unless you show up to exhibit your commitment to an alternative way of life. The vision of retaining the downtown area and building it up to support sustainable and healthy growth alongside the tracks and within walking distance of community services already in place, will become nothing but a memory if the car and semi-truck driven sprawl is allowed to go in where it is proposed.

If you have an opinion to voice please show up on Thursday night on the 21st at the Field School auditorium (Old Crozet School on Crozet Ave.) at 7:00 PM. Meet some new neighbors and bring some neighbors that you already know. Meet some of the planning department representatives that have been actively involved in our master plan-consistently showing up to hear what YOU have to say. Listen to what is proposed to develop around us and become an active part of the small town that you moved here to enjoy. If you let others make your decisions for you- you are going to have to live in a world that someone else created for you and your children. Government is here as a tool of the people. If we do not interact, speak-up and have a hand in the sustainable design of our town here- it will not be a tool in our hands- but in the hands of those that would profit from business-as-usual sprawl. If the vision for Yancy Mills Industrial park and surrounding areas is not of a sprawling build out- let that be shown clearly to us.

Here’s the challenge… People that live in Crozet can affect how and where that revenue-creating light industrial growth is to occur by becoming the community that we claim we came here to be part of.

You want that small town feel? Now is your time to shine on Thursday- January 21st.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Basically, we’re taking our Christmas trees – sans lights and stands – to Crozet Park or Greenwood Community Center. Who’s going to be first?

From the County of Albemarle:

Trees will be recycled into free mulch for the public

It’s almost that time of year again!

As in the past, the Albemarle County Parks & Recreation Dept will host its annual Christmas Tree Recycling Program beginning December 26, 2009 through January 16, 2010. The Christmas Tree Recycling Program collects discarded Christmas trees which are chipped into mulch and then offered to the public at no cost. This program has been in operation since 1988 and recycles over 3000 trees each year; which in turn yields over 144 cubic yards of mulch. Not only does this recycling program provide citizens a place to dispose of a potentially large and cumbersome item, it also reduces the impact on our landfill.

By combining forces with the Charlottesville Curb Side Pick-Up Program, the two programs collected over 5600 trees last year, yielding approximately 268 cubic yards of mulch. According to the City Public Works Department, their curbside pick up will be the week of January 11th, 2010. Trees must be at the curbside by 7am. Shortly after the City’s curbside pick up, the County and City Parks & Recreation crews will team up to chip the estimated 2600 trees at Darden Towe Park.

As a reminder, this program is for Christmas trees only, please no yard waste. Both the County & City programs require that all decorations, stands and nails be removed from the Christmas trees. Free mulch will be available to citizen by February 1, 2009, at Darden Towe Park.

The County will operate seven sites daily, 7am till dark.

The sites are as follows:

- Chris Greene Lake in Earlysville

- Crozet Park

- Darden Towe Park

- Greenwood Community Center *

- Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road (*note: Sunday hours are 12noon – 5pm)

- Scottsville Community Center

- Walnut Creek Park

The recycling location on McIntire Road may be congested; please consider Darden Towe Park as an alternate location that is less congested and is suited better for large loads and contract haulers.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

The Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival is this weekend, and with any luck the weather will be as good as it was this past weekend (which was perfect). This is a great event that tends to highlight one of the (many) reasons why it’s great to live in Crozet.

Wine tasting, children’s events, hundreds of arts and crafts vendors …

The Crozet Arts and Crafts Festival’s site has a nice history of the event, written by Tracey Pugh:

The first Crozet Arts and Crafts festival occurred in May 1981 with a roster of 28 artists and craftsmen. The idea was Mrs. George Kane’s. At the time she was serving as treasurer of Claudius Crozet Park and she was well aware that the Park desperately needed a source of yearly income to support it. In particular, there was the pressing necessity of paying off a very sizeable debt incurred when the 20-year-old junior Olympic pool required extensive repairs. The debt came to $53,000 and interest on it amounted to nearly $5,000 that first year.
…
In the years since its inception, advertising and other costs have climbed, guidelines for permits and licenses have become more rigid and offering an affordable show for the artists has become increasingly challenging. We not only want to raise money for the day-to-day operation of the Park, we want to ensure our artists make a profit as well. Most of the festival profits come from gate admission. There is a limit on how much the Festival can charge in space fees, and the monies received from those are spent on advertising and other expenses. Many of the ideas and principles implemented by Mrs. Kane are still in effect.

Claudius Crozet Park is a community non-profit recreational facility open to all. Our goal is to provide a clean, safe place for children to play, a place where families will want to spend leisure time together and where young and old alike can enjoy the beauty this area is blessed with. As the primary source of income for year round operations, the Crozet Arts & Crafts festival relies heavily on the support of local businesses and individuals to help ease expenses.

(They’re on Facebook, too!)

(Search for homes for sale in Crozet, or call Jim Duncan 434-242-7140)

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

I don’t know about you, but buying a season pass to Crozet Pool was one of the best decisions we’ve made in a long time.

End of the Summer Hours!!!!

The pool will be open during regular hours through Sunday, August 23rd. On Monday, August 24th the pool will be open from 11 AM to 5 PM. The pool will re-open on August 29-30th at our regular hours and again for the Labor Day Weekend. Please see the Labor Day Weekend note below for operation hours.

Labor Day Weekend

The pool will be open Saturday and Sunday at our regular hours but on Monday the pool will be open from 11 AM to 7 PM. Please come out and enjoy the last weekend the pool will be open this summer.

Mark your Calendars!

The last pool event is upon us and will be held this Friday. The pool will be open late and food will be served beginning at 8 PM. These events will be open to the public. The cost to all Non-Season Pass Holders will be $4.00 per person (with five (5) and under free). All Season Pass Holders must bring and show their ID/pass to get in free!

Food being served will be hot dogs, chips and both freeze-pops and sugar cookies.
_______________________________________________
Crzp mailing list
Crzp@ccp.avenue.org
http://ccp.avenue.org/mailman/listinfo/crzp

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

Get your pool passes now! Even better, they will be using a new saline-based chlorination system.

This year, the pool committee has already been busy making other improvements for their patrons. First and foremost, the pool’s water sanitation process has been completely converted. Rather than continuing to use a granulated chlorine injection process for water treatment, the pool has converted over to a new, improved, safer water treatment system called ChlorKing®. This system makes it no longer necessary to have staff handle hazardous and expensive chemicals. It reduces the amount of room needed to store sometimes large, heavy quantities of chlorine that are necessary to keep the water levels safe. It creates a natural antiseptic environment that prevents bacteria and algae from forming. Furthermore, there is the potential that the ChlorKing saline chlorination system could reduce our system running costs by up to 80% annually.

As an added perk, while chlorine exposure to humans is often harsh, this system will be so much kinder and gentler to our natural bodies. Potentially gone are the days of red, irritated eyes or itchy, dry skin, green hair for our fair haired swimmers or even bleached bathing suits and the water will feel soft, silky and more all natural than ever before. There will be no more of that chlorine taste or smell; however, you will find a slightly salty taste to the water from now on, which is normal with this system.

This is something I have been playing with/testing – searching for homes in Crozet that have a reasonably high Walkscore … while the Walkscore data isn’t 100% accurate, it does serve as a reasonable guide … (if a house has a Walkscore of 3 it probably isn’t very walkable, but if it’s 50, there’s a good chance that you can walk to something (reasonably).

If you’re curious, search for Crozet homes with high Walkscores for yourself.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

This seems like a big win-win for the County of Albemarle and the Field School and a loss for Crozet Park, who have been leasing their space to the Field School.
The Daily Progress has the story:

Albemarle County officials have an idea about how to use the abandoned Old Crozet School: lease it to a private school and a nonprofit.
The Field School of Charlottesville, a middle school for boys, hopes to become a tenant, as does Old Crozet School Arts, a nonprofit that would offer classes in dance, visual arts, music, theater and other art forms.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.

From Albemarle.org -

The Christmas Tree Recycling Program collects discarded Christmas trees which are chipped into mulch and then offered to the public at no cost. This program has been in operation since 1988 and recycles over 3000 trees each year; which in turn yields over 144 cubic yards of mulch. Not only does this recycling program provide citizens a place to dispose of a potentially large and cumbersome item, it also reduces the impact on our landfill.

By combining forces with the Charlottesville Curb Side Pick-Up Program, the two programs collected over 5600 trees last year, yielding approximately 268 cubic yards of mulch. According to the City Public Works Department, their curbside pick up will be the week of January 12th, 2009. Trees must be at the curbside by 7am. Shortly after the City’s curbside pick up, the County and City Parks & Recreation crews will team up to chip the estimated 2600 trees at Darden Towe Park.

As a reminder, this program is for Christmas trees only, please no yard waste. Both the County & City programs require that all decorations, stands and nails be removed from the Christmas trees.

Free mulch will be available to citizen by February 2, 2009, at Darden Towe Park.

The County will operate seven sites daily, 7am till dark. The sites are as follows:

Chris Greene Lake in Earlysville
Crozet Park
Darden Towe Park
Greenwood Community Center
*Rivanna Solid Waste Authority Recycling Center on McIntire Road (*note: Sunday hours are 12noon – 5pm)
Scottsville Community Center
Walnut Creek Park

* The RSWARC on McIntire Rd. may be congested, please consider Darden Towe Park as an alternate location that has easy access and is suited better for large loads and contract haulers.

*** Editor’s note – I have pre-posted this in order to keep the above Crozet Park/Swimming post at the top.

Copyright RealCentralVA.com, LLC. If you like this post, please, visit RealCrozetVA.comwhere this was originally posted.