The Westmoreland Terrance Condominiums are a garden-style, private entrance condo community located at 1314 North Fort Myer Drive along North Ode Street in Arlington, Virginia. Situated just outside of the Rosslyn business district and the greater Courthouse Metro area, this sprawling condo community spans 4.2 acres and offers a quiet and more subtle living alternative compared to the surrounding metropolis. Built in 1947 and converted in 1982, the post-war cinder and brick facade buildings offer parking and storage amenities, and 8 out of every 10 condos features a private laundry facility.

The Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums house 149 condo units and there are 159 unassigned parking spaces available to its residents. Residents have a choice between one and two bedroom units and the condos are also pet friendly, a rare feature compared to nearby residential communities. Finally, each unit features thick walls and a choice between red and white oak parquet floors. 

The Westmoreland Terrace condos have anywhere between 14 and 16 units per building and the layout of the property captures the rich history of Arlington County. The surrounding acreage maintains many of the original trees that existed before the building was constructed, some in excess of 150 years old, and the property is reminiscent of an older, less urbanized ideal. The Westmoreland Terrace Condominiums maintain a tucked-away feeling and yet the property is within several yards of US 50 and is only an 8 minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro station. The property is both well maintained and well managed, and has employed the same property manager for more than 9 years. Through its consistent and quiet manner, this calm and peaceful condo community has thrived for over 60 years. 

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria, Virginia. Through educational programming and learning-oriented gardening sites, the mission of Green Spring Gardens is to advance awareness and promote the practice of gardening in Northern Virginia.

Visitors to the Gardens can stroll through 5 acres of gardening plots, and may attend classes at the Visitor Center. In addition, guests can research gardening questions or explore the Green Spring Garden ecosystem in an educational setting at the horticultural library. Green Spring Gardens is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday; admission is free. Call 703-642-5173 for more information.

The Pinecrest is a community of houses, townhouses and condominiums located just off Little River Turnpike in Annandale VA. The Pinecrest occupies 35 acres of manicured grounds that abut a The Pinecrest golf course, a Fairfax County public course. The Pinecrest very close to the shops and restaurants of Annandale and Alexandria. The Pinecrest is also very close to Green Springs Gardens.   I recently toured the Pinecrest and snapped a few pictures.

The condos here feel spacious with a very smart floor plan that brings light and nature into the living space. The fire place is perfectly situated between long tall windows.

The decks feel private and rustit providing a nice piece of nature for residents. Located just off the kitchen, the porch is a nice place to have a morning coffee or a summertime afternoon lemonade.

The fountains and grounds of the Pinecrest do not disappoint. Click the Pinecrest for a map of Pinecrest and a list of homes for sale. As the map indicates, the Pinecrest is found inside the Washington Beltway about ten miles from Washington, D.C.  or historic Old Town Alexandria Virginia.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located at 7701 Royce St. in Annandale VA. The Hidden Oaks Nature Center is found within the 52 acre Annandale Community Park in Fairfax County. The nature center features a gently winding trail just one third of a mile long. The trail is perfect for an easy stroll because it works through the woods and then ends where it started. The County of Fairfax maintains this park and provides seasonal brochures that highlight the season. The Nature Center is open to students and the public providing reference materials about local fauna and flora.

Bird watchers and photographers love to visit Hidden Oaks. The Park has an antebellum railroad embankment that is part of the Virginia National Historic Landmark Manassas Gap Railroad. The Urban Woodlands exhibit reveals the secrets of an urban woodland forest. This exhibit features interactive stations in where children and parents alike can discover and learn through hands-on learning activities such as the indoor turtle pond.

Set within the 52 acre Annandale Community Park, Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in the heart of Fairfax County, a few minutes inside the Capital Beltway. The woods surrounding the center feature an easy loop trail 1/3 mile long. Seasonal brochures enable visitors to discover the changing nature of the woodland at points along the trail. For further exploration, additional trails lead through the woods to two streams. Bird watching and photography are special pleasures in these quiet surroundings.

In December the Nature Center is open 9am to 5pm Monday, Wednesday-Friday; noon-5pm Saturday, Sunday; closed Tuesday. In January and February, the nature center is open 11am-4pm each day, closed on Tuesdays except for scheduled programs. The nature center is open 9am-5pm Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday; noon-5pm Saturday, Sunday. Closed Tuesdays except for scheduled programs. Grounds open dawn to dusk. Call the nature center at 703-941-1065 for more information.

Annandale --- For a map of Annandale or to shop and compare homes for sale in Annandale.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria and Will Nesbitt Realty. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Come get your ladybug! A ladybug---an international symbol of good luck---will be given to all visitors on Diversity Day.

Annandale is hosting a cultural tour of Asia featuring music and cultural delights from India, Korea, Afghanistan, China and Sri Lanka. This celebration of music, dance and crafts on is occuring on Saturday, April 18 at Hidden Oaks Nature Center's fifth annual Celebrating Diversity Children's Day. The event starts at one o'clock and lasts until four in the afternoon. The cost is only $6 per person. 

The event features:

• Dancers and percussionists from the India International School in Falls Church;
• The Washington Korean Dance Company;
• ErHu, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument, music;
  
• Hawaiian dancers and musicians;
• Sri Lankan songs and sitar;
  
• Korean Sword Dancers;
  
• Korean Fan Dancing;
• Stories from the Hawaiian Islands expressed in music and hula dance;
  
• "Bollywood" style Indian dancers performing classical, folk and cultural pieces.

Reservations and advance payment are required. Contact Hidden Oaks Nature Center at 7701 Royce Street in Annandale with questions or to make reservations. You can call them at 703-941-1065 for a schedule of events.

On Saturday, September 27 at Mason District Park between 10 am and 4 pm come and enjoy the Fall Festival! There will be live entertainment, crafts and more at the festival. The kids will enjoy the clowns and puppet shows. All ages will enjoy popular local bands. There will be many crafters and craft demonstrations at the festival.

There is no charge for admission but some rides may require tickets. If you'd like to sell your crafts you must register in advance by calling 703-256-7717. If the festival is rained out it will be rescheduled for the next day at September 28. For more information about the Fall Festival call 703-941-1730.

The Fall Festival is hosted at MASON DISTRICT PARK which is at 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Mason District Park has  a large natural area with a hiking trail. Mason District Park also has playing fields and tennis courts. (To reserve a court or playing field call 703-941-1730.) A play ground and tot lot are provided for children. There is a refreshment stand at the park. Mason District Park has a highly rated doggie area.

In addition to the Fall Festival, Mason District hosts Arts in the Parks during the summer. Arts in the Parks is a free children's entertainment series held Saturday mornings. Mason District Park is one of several Fairfax County Parks that hosts Spotlight by Starlight, a series of free concerts and movies provided by local businesses and Fairfax County. 

Mason District Park has a Farmer's Market all summer long every Thursday from 8 am to noon.  The Farmers Market lasts from May 1 through to November 6th.

Driving Directions: Take Beltway Exit 52B (Route 236) east for two miles. Turn left on John Marr Drive. Once on John Marr Drive, turn right on Columbia Pike. The entrance to Mason District Park is on the right just before Sleepy Hollow Road.

Mason District is one of 9 magisterial districts in Fairfax County. It's a great place to work, play and live. To search property near Mason District Park contact Will Nesbitt or select from a link below.

• For sale --- Live data on all condos for sale in 22003 zip code.
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• Homes for sale --- All homes for sale less than $500,000 in 22003 zip code.
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