Raflo Park

Raflo Park is named after lifelong Leesburg resident and Loudoun historian, Frank Raflo. Born in Leesburg in 1919, and after attending Leesburg High School, he continued his education at William and Mary College graduating Phi Beta Kappa before returning home to dedicate his life to the Leesburg community he grew up in., "What I like about the park is that so many people enjoy it." - Frank Raflo, During his years of service, Mr. Raflo served two terms as a Town Council member from 1949-1951 and from 1961-1963, and a Loudoun County Board of Supervisor from 1972-1986, serving as board chairman in 1985, where he helped draft the county's first comprehensive land use plan., Mr. Raflo was a founder and president of the Leesburg Kiwanis Club as well as many other community organizations. As a representative to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, he was instrumental in preserving land for parks within Loudoun County, including the creation of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail., He received numerous awards over the years to honor and acknowledge his service. In 1961, the Loudoun Chamber of Commerce named him Man of the Year, he served two terms as president and four terms on the board of directors. From 1949 to 1976, Mr. Raflo managed his family's retail store, Raflo's Clothing Store, a business established in downtown Leesburg since 1912, served on the board of directors of the Virginia Retail Merchants Association, and in 1965 was named Retailer of the Year for the state. In 1973, Loudoun Times Mirror named him Citizen of the Year. , In appreciation for his contributions to the Leesburg community, South Harrison Street Park that runs adjacent to the W&OD Trail, was officially renamed Raflo Park by the Leesburg Town Council on January 14, 1997. The original 3-acre park was built in 1985 as part of the South Harrison Street/Market Station redevelopment project. On April 24, 1997, Raflo Park was formally dedicated with Mr. Raflo and his family in attendance., Park cared for by the Town of Leesburg