Reston

Reston is a planned community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, located about 20 miles west of downtown Washington, D.C. It was founded in 1964 by developer Robert E. Simon as a model of a self-contained, pedestrian-friendly town that combined housing, employment, and recreation in close proximity.

The community was designed around village centers and a system of parks, trails, and man-made lakes. It includes notable centers such as Reston Town Center and Lake Anne Plaza, among other neighborhood hubs. Reston Association, a homeowners association, maintains common amenities including parks, lakes, and recreational facilities for residents.

Reston comprises multiple residential neighborhoods and has a diverse population. It hosts a mix of corporate offices, technology firms, and service industries, with many residents commuting to the Washington metropolitan area. The town supports cultural and recreational institutions, including community centers and performing arts programs. It is connected to the wider region by major roads, such as the Dulles Toll Road and Leesburg Pike, and is served by the Washington Metro's Silver Line at Wiehle–Reston East, with extensions toward Dulles International Airport planned or completed.

Education in Reston is provided by Fairfax County Public Schools, complemented by private schools and community programs operated by the Reston Community Center and the Reston Association.

Reston is widely cited as one of the first modern planned communities in the United States, influencing subsequent suburban development through its emphasis on mixed-use design, environmental stewardship, and transit-oriented planning.