Reston Town Center Won't Allow Anti-ParkRTC March, Route Will Go Around

RESTON, VA — Hundreds of people have signed up for Saturday's march against paid parking at Reston Town Center, but they will not be marching through RTC itself: management apparently won't allow the protest to enter the area.

Instead, the Fairfax County Police-approved route will stick to New Dominion Parkway and Town Center Parkway just outside of RTC grounds, which is private property owned by Boston Properties.

"As part of its obligation to provide a safe and family-friendly environment, RTC has never granted, and will not grant now or in the future, permission for any demonstration or protest on the privately-owned property that is Reston Town Center," Kathy Walsh of the Fallston Group, which represents Boston Properties, said in an email. "This has been the policy of each owner dating back to RTC’s inception."

Marchers are taking issue with a range of issues, including parking fees, privacy concerns with the ParkRTC app and the inconvenience of having to use the app, Bunny Polmer, spokeswoman for the retailers behind the protest, said in a statement.

"The merchants of Reston Town Center have banded together to stop Boston Properties from charging customers to park in the Town Center," Polmer said. "For 26 years, parking has been free, enabling everyone to enjoy shopping, eating and the entertainment offered at this community gathering place."

The Park Free RTC (Protest) Facebook page currently has more than 400 people who have indicated they are going. Protest organizer Gaurang Shah posted the following guidelines for the protest on the page late Thursday night:

• Remain on the route identified as Reston Town Center is private property and we do not have permission to march there
• Remain on the sidewalk at all times
• Do not block pedestrians or cars from passing
• Do not block business or residence entrances
• Please be sure to park in public parking
• Please keep in mind this is a peaceful march – do not violate any laws

The march will take place from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 4. For more information, visit the protest's Facebook page.

Image via Park Free RTC (Protest)