Survey Says: Move the Mount Vernon Farmers Market

Mount Vernon District residents support moving the Mount Vernon Farmers Market to another location, according to a recent survey performed by the Consumer Affairs committee of the Mount Vernon Council of Civic Associations.

The Mount Vernon Farmers Market takes place at Sherwood Regional Library from May to November. The survey found that parking was the biggest concern not only for the number of parking spaces but vehicle and pedestrian safety. Sixty-seven percent of respondents support moving the Mount Vernon Farmers Market to another location. Alternative locations discussed in the survey include Fort Hunt Park, Hollin Hall Senior Center, Grist Mill Park, George Washington RECenter, and the grounds of INOVA Mount Vernon Hospital.

The Mount Vernon RECenter was found as a viable location for the farmers market to co-exist with “another Fairfax County entity whose hours may be more compatible and has ample available parking.”

The MVCCA “fully supports the Mount Vernon Farmers Market in the Mount Vernon District” and “requests that the Mount Vernon District Supervisor identify a new location to move the Mount Vernon Farmers Market from its current location to a location that may minimize the disruption of co-existing with another entity and one with better parking.”

Mount Vernon residents surveyed also say they prefer a longer season. A majority of the residents surveyed prefer the farmers market to operate from April to December. It currently runs from May 1 to Nov. 27.

The MVCCA recommended the Fairfax County Park Authority initiate a formal survey to gain feedback from Mount Vernon residents to determine whether or not a longer farmers market is feasible.

What do you think of these results? Do you prefer a longer season or better parking? Tell us in the comments below.