City Council to Vote Tuesday on Renaming Falls Church Community Center

When the Falls Church City Council meets tonight, one of the items on their agenda? Renaming the Falls Church Community Center.

Current Recreation and Parks Director Daniel Schlitt, proposed that the center be named the Falls Church Community Center, Kenneth R. Burnett Building. The advisory board to the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department endorsed the concept and the Planning Commission passed a motion in support of the resolution.

Who was Kenneth R. Burnett? The agenda for tonight's meeting paints a portrait of a man who was integral in creating the city's parks and recreation department:

Burnett was the first director of the City of Falls Church Recreation and Parks Department. He began work for the City of Falls Church in 1962 until his retirement in 1990. During his 28 years of service, Burnett developed and grew the Recreation and Parks Department and made recreation a presence in the City.

He was largely responsible for construction of the Falls Church Community Center. Burnett lobbied the community for support and funding for several years. After accomplishing this goal, he went right to work planning the design and location of the current Community Center, which was opened in 1968. 

Burnett was responsible for development of a year-round sports program for all ages, a year-round hobby class program, the Senior Center, the restoration and opening of the Cherry Hill Farmhouse Museum & Barn, several parks and recreational facilities, a bus trip program, the Farmer’s Market, and several annual events.

Many of the special events Burnett generated became cornerstones of the Falls Church City social calendar. Some of these are still the largest and most popular annual events the City hosts today: such as the Memorial Day Parade and Festival, and the Fall Festival. 

During his tenure, Burnett assisted with the opening of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD Trail), now the largest and most commonly toured travel way in the City. He witnessed many changes and growth in the City as Interstate-66 and the Metro came to Falls Church.

Burnett guided the Department of Recreation and Parks through its growth, program development, and expansion to its current state of successfully serving residents of all ages from seniors to young children.