What One Thing Is Reston Missing? We Asked, You Answered

RESTON, VA -- We recently asked our readers on Facebook what one thing Reston was missing -- and boy, did you respond. We got more than 150 comments, and although it took a while, we went through each and every one to help understand what it is you would like to see in the future here in Reston.

Interestingly, the top-liked comment out of all of them was a request for "more police presence at the Hunter Woods shopping plaza" by Thavy Lynch, which is something we weren't expecting. We'll check in with the Reston Police District soon on that question and get back to you (although we'd encourage you to elaborate in the comments about what specifically is the concern in that area to help us out).

What we thought would be the No. 1 most likely comment was actually a close No. 2: free parking at Reston Town Center, as expressed by Jon Querolo.

And the third most-liked comment was no surprise either: Janet Carlton, apparently not impressed with the development boom in recent years, wishes the town would revert back to the "rural feel it used to have." Many agreed with this sentiment, although Debbie Minardi Anguizola and Oya Simpson both believe that Reston still has plenty of green space -- at least compared to other densely-packed places in Northern Virginia.

In a close fourth was a sentiment from Glorianne M Langan that combined both the No. 2 and No. 3 comments, in a way: "More trees, less high rises, no Boston Properties!"

We tallied up and organized the total votes (some people voted for multiple things, and we included each of them), and free parking at Reston Town Center came out on top with 19 votes. In close second with 18 votes was more independent/non-chain restaurants, bars, shops, and cafes.

You also expressed a desire for some sort of community indoor recreation facility, with 15 votes. And in fourth was a desire to return to a more rural community with more trees and fewer high-rises (13 votes).

While there doesn't appear to be much desire to open more chains in the area, there was one notable exception: Wegmans, which got eight votes.

Other notable vote-getters included affordable living/housing (7 votes), bookstores (6 votes), more street lighting (5 votes), and a general improvement in the traffic situation (5 votes).

The full vote tally is below:

19 - Free parking at Reston Town Center
18 - Independent/non-chain restaurants/bars/shops/cafes
15 - Pool bubble/community indoor recreation facility
13 - "The rural feel it used to have" or "More trees, less high rises"
8 - Wegmans
7 - Affordable living/housing
6 - Bookstores
5 - More street lighting
5 - An improvement in the traffic situation
4 - Cemetery
4 - Music/theater venue
3 - A soul
3 - Roller skating rink
3 - More dog parks
3 - More revitalization of Lake Anne Plaza
2 - Paul (bakery chain)
2 - Better leadership
2 - Equestrian center
2 - Better design at Wiehle-Reston East Metro station to make it easier to get in and out
2 - Retailers like TJ Maxx, Nordstrom Rack, DSW
2 - Costco
2 - Wawa
2 - Lululemon
2 - Adults-only pool
2 - Disc golf course
1 - Large scale public outdoor art/sculpture project
1 - Summer music festival
1 - More police at Hunter Woods shopping plaza
1 - Reston is not missing anything - it already has too much stuff
1 - Marcel Breuer Brutalist building (demolished)
1 - High school in North Reston
1 - Gay bar
1 - Ice cream shop
1 - Comedy club
1 - Children's museum
1 - Toy store
1 - Gentleman's club
1 - Salon/spa
1 - Bowling alley
1 - Yoga studio
1 - Club
1 - Homeless shelter

Image: Patch staff