Mount Vernon Plaza Hosting Chalkful Of Flowers At New Parklet

HYBLA VALLEY, VA — Artists will brighten up the parklet space at the Mount Vernon Plaza parklet in Hybla Valley as more people use the space during the warmer months.

The Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation will host the Chalkful of Flowers event at the new parklet next to Capital Chicken and Moe's Southwest Grill in the 7600 block of Richmond Highway from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 20. Artists will be on site to help attendees create upcycled flowers that will be used to create a flower wall on site. Attendees can also create chalk murals in select spaces.

"With the arrival of warmer weather, we are thrilled to start activating the new parklet space as a way to bring the community together," said Evan Kaufman, the executive director of the Southeast Fairfax Development Corporation. "We’re appreciative of the volunteer committee of artists, small business owners and residents who are helping to develop and plan this event."

Artists can work while listening to the sounds of professional violinist Charles ‘Bliss’ Tolbert. Eateries at Mount Vernon Plaza will be open for regular business hours to grab a bite in between the event.

This will be the first public event for the parklet, which opened in October 2022 at the shopping center. The opening coincided with the grand opening of Della J's Delectables, a locally-owned Southern comfort food restaurant that relocated from Springfield. Shopping center owner Federal Realty renovated the space to add café seating, a trellis, green space, porch swing benches, soma stones, new lighting and landscaping.

"When we were first conceptualizing the potential for a parklet space at Mount Vernon Plaza, we imagined events exactly like this one," said Deirdre Johnson, senior vice president at Federal Realty. "This event will be a great opportunity for social connection and fun among the convenience of the many dining, retail and service options at Mount Vernon Plaza.

Along with the art being created at the Chalkful of Flowers event, Mount Vernon Plaza has new murals featuring birds and plants on several buildings.