Arts Center Considered At McLean's Clemyjontri Park

MCLEAN, VA — An arts and education center is being considered for Fairfax County Park Authority's Clemyjontri Park in McLean.

Clemyjontri Park, located at 6317 Georgetown Pike, is intended for children of all abilities featuring a playground, carousel, swings and more. It's accessible to children using wheelchairs, walkers or braces, as well as those with sensory or developmental disabilities.

The arts and education center is being proposed at a residence on the site, but it wouldn't replace the park. Headed by the McLean Project for the Arts, the center would feature gallery exhibition space and arts education classroom facilities. The facility is intended to expand upon MPA offerings, which include exhibitions at the McLean Community Center's Emerson Gallery and DuVal Studio, as well as programs like MPAartfest.

"MPA envisions an all-inclusive art center which provides a creative respite for the community that is integrated into, yet distinct from, Clemyjontri Park," reads a news release from Fairfax County.

The park is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority after Adele Lebowitz and the Lebowitz family donated the property in 2000. Lebowitz donated the property with the intention of it becoming a play location for all children and the home having compatible community use.

Fairfax County Park Authority and McLean Project for the Arts will hold a public open house Monday, Feb. 24 to discuss the park's master plan, history of the park's development and proposed arts center. The open house will start at 6:30 p.m. and a presentation and community discussion will follow at 7 p.m. It will be held at the Emerson Gallery at the McLean Community Center, 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean.