Illegal Drinking, Swimming, Mounds of Trash Regular Occurrence at McLean Park: Police

McLEAN, VA -- Fairfax County Police have a message for anyone visiting Scott's Run Nature Preserve in McLean: If you visit, be sure to follow the rules: Don't leave trash and broken glass, and don't swim and drink illegally.

Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, located at 7400 Georgetown Pike in McLean (see map below), is one of only a few nature preserves in the Fairfax County Park Authority’s holdings, police pointed out Tuesday in an announcement about the ongoing problems at the park.

Police note that the park "is a remarkable place of rare plants and splendid beauty. Yet that beauty is challenged by urban pollution and human destruction. It is a classic clash of land use between suburban sprawl and natural areas."

Police say that illegal drinking and swimming are occurring on a weekly basis and that mounds of trash and broken glass are being left behind.

Police plan to step up patrols and the issuing of criminal citations due to the ongoing problems, they said Tuesday. "We want to maintain the beauty of the Park and keep it pristine for all to enjoy," they noted in the announcement.

The Fairfax County Police Department and the Fairfax County Park Authority ask that park visitors be good stewards. They want you to call 703-691-2131 if you observe any violations.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Solvers electronically by visiting http://www.fairfaxcrimesolvers.org or text-a-tip by texting “TIP187” plus your message to CRIMES (274637)** or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS(8477), or call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131.

PHOTO of trash collected at Scott's Run courtesy of FCPD