On Monday, Oct. 18th the Environment and Parks (E&P) Committee of the Great Falls Citizen Association (GFCA) and representatives from the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) met at the Roll-Top Observatory at Turner Farm to finalize a submission to the International Dark Sky Association (IDA) designating Observatory Park at Turner Farm as an Urban Dark Sky Site. For some months Tammy Schwab, manager of Education & Outreach Resource Management Division of FCPA has been diligently working on the IDA application that was presented in near final form at the Monday meeting. It includes the background of Turner Farm and its change from a DoD facility to a public park for both equestrian and astronomical use. The document provides the lighting management plan at Turner Farm Park emphasizing useful, targeted, low light levels using appropriate warm colors of the spectrum.
John Foust, Dranesville District Supervisor introduced a resolution recognizing that dark skies are an important resource:
No street lighting was allowed on Springvale Road, which runs along the park’s western boundary. Great Falls is zoned with minimal residence parcel size of five acres reducing local lighting density. Turner Farm is located in Fairfax County, which enacted a lighting ordinance in 2000 that was updated and strengthened in February 2020. |
"NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Fairfax Count Board of Supervisors supports the efforts to designate Observatory Park at Turner Farm Park an International Dark-Sky Association Urban Night Sky Place to benefit of the residents, wildlife, plants, and environment of Fairfax County. Adopted this 5th day of October 2021, Fairfax Virginia."
A letter of support from the President of the Analemma Society states:
"The Analemma Society supports the designation by the International Dark Sky Association of Observatory Park at Turner Farm in Great Falls, Virginia as an Urban Dark Sky Site. For many years our society has worked ceaselessly to educate the public in Science through Astronomy at Turner Farm Observatory. I have been an advocate of dark skies in our area and personally worked to get the current lighting ordinances now in place in Fairfax County. We include light pollution education in our presentations and outdoor public events. We ask the International Dark Sky Association to grant this designation to Turner Farm. Sincerely, (signed) Charles Olin, Founding President, Analemma Society."
And the petition itself from a qualified IDA member:
"Dear IDA board members
"I am pleased to submit this nomination for an Urban Dark Sky Site for Observatory Park at Turner Farm in Great Falls, Virginia ... Public observing sessions have been conducted here since 2003, mostly free Friday Night Viewing sessions, as well as special events for eclipses, meteor showers and equinoxes and solstices. Volunteers have conducted astronomy courses here as well which include dark sky information. Our site has suffered increasing light pollution as growth and development are taking place in our area. Our observatory and class room facilities as well as an open field provide a good venue to teach the public the nature and problems of light pollution...I recommend Observatory Park at Turner Farm for the Urban dark sky place designation without reservation. Over the years the dedication of the volunteers and the Park Authority to the mission of Astronomy education has born fruit in local support of strengthening the outdoor lighting ordinance especially in the locality directly surrounding the facility. I beleive the designation is well deserved and would help observatory park increase its reach into the community. Sincerely, (signed) Jeffery L. Kretsch, Ph.D. Life Member, International Dark Sky Association, Treasurer Analemma Society, and Fairfax County Volunteer."