Special Harbor Sprayground in Franconia, VA!

Today we checked out Special Harbor Sprayground in Franconia, VA. Located in Fairfax County, the sprayground is in the Family Recreation Area of Lee District Park.

The park has zero water depth and tons of fountains. There are several interactive water features including water dumping buckets, water tables and a water maze. The best part is the admission to the park is FREE! Since the park can get quite busy they have the right to limit admission so it doesn't get overcrowded. There is plenty of shade and chairs for the kids to take a break. The park offers several family restrooms in the sprayground and outside near the picnic pavilion. The park now has a new rule that water shoes must be worn in the sprayground at all times since it can be slippery. 

When the kids were done with the sprayground we headed over to the tree house for some lunch. The tree house is a series of ramps out into a forested area with a stream below. Benches are available just outside the tree house and platform area in the tree house is a great spot to eat some lunch.

This is an awesome place to take the kids to get out of the heat without having all the worries of being around a pool. The tree house is also a nice place to get under some shade and be part of nature.

Ideas, Ideas.....

If you don't see a park on here that you have enjoyed with the family please email me or comment on the bottom of this blog entry. I'm always looking for new places to check out with the kids! The Northern Virginia area has a lot of different Regional and National park systems.

Enjoy!

James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA!

Last week we headed out to James S. Long Park in Haymarket, VA. Located in Prince William County, the regional park is spread out over many acres and includes trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, several different picnic pavilions, an equestrian ring, equestrian friendly trails and grass equestrian area. A small Gainesville Library is also located on the property. The park is located just down the road from the communities of Piedmont, Westmarket and Dominion Valley.

 There is a playground in the park that offers two different pieces of equipment. The playground is partially shaded by a large tree near the equipment. The playground sits higher up on a small hill where you can overlook all the ball fields. Restrooms are located nearby and you use either the porta potties or the restroom located in the library.

James S. Long Park is very diverse in all the different activites you can do here. If you enjoy geocaching or just like to get out an enjoy nature you can walk along the Carthapin Creek for about 3.5 miles. It's great for walking, jogging, biking and equestrian usage.

This a great park for the kids and a bonus for the local sports communities!

George Hellwig Memorial Park in Manassas, VA!

Last week we tested out a new park in Prince William County, George Hellwig Memorial Park. Located in Manassas it is located near the Independent Hill community off of Bristow Road. The area offers a few newer communities with homes on large lots and many older homes on acreage. In the same section of the park is the Park Authority Headquarters and the small Independent Hill Library.

The park has a lot to offer with soccer fields, baseball fields, walking trails, shaded playground, restrooms, tennis and basketball courts. Several shaded pavilions are available for rental or just to sit down have a nice picnic. The playground equipment is new and offers plenty for the children to play on. A small musical section always the kids to the play the drums and other musical instruments. The tot lot does offer shade in the form of large umbrellas and a few trees.

We have gone to this park a lot since my in laws live near by and the kids always have a great time!

Clareybrook Park in Bristow, VA!

Today we visited Clareybrook Park in Bristow, VA's community of Braemar. This cute community park is part of the planned community of Braemar. Located in Prince William County, Braemar has a small town feel with newer single family homes, townhomes and condos.

The play equipment is very colorful and the kids have a couple different pieces of equipment to choose from including swings.

The park also has a small shaded picnic area to get away from the sun. Restrooms are available in the clubhouse which is situated by the community pool but only during the summer months. A small walking trail runs around the pool and play equipment. A basketball, tennis and multipurpose court are available to residents.

Clareybrook Park is a very cute park and very well maintained. It's a great place to take the kids for some park time.

Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington D.C.

Last month we took the kids to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington D.C. The national museum is free for everyone and a great place for the kids to see dinosaurs or great replicas of wildlife. My oldest especially enjoyed the dinosaur and ocean exhibit. If the Butterfly exhibit is still running you should go and check it out. You walk through a small enclosure filled with butterflies flying around and snacking on pieces of fruit. My oldest thought this was so neat and when you walk out an attendant is there to make sure you don't leave with any butterflies.

Parking is a little tricky. You can park around the Smithsonians for free if you are lucky enough to find a spot. Or you can park in one of the many parking garages around the museums. We ended up parking under the Ronald Reagan Building and walking over to the museum. The car stayed nice and cool underground and the price wasn't too outrageous.  Inside the museum they don't allow snacking or drinks but they do have a nice cafe to grab a bite to eat. Caution: Around lunch time the cafe is very busy!

A great place to take the kids and the older they are the more they enjoy all the exhibits!

Sterling Community Center Park in Sterling, VA!

Last week we visited Sterling Community Center Park in Sterling, VA. This Loudoun County park has lots of shade and is even fenced in right next to the Sterling Library. It is also placed right next door to a firehouse and the kids can see the firetrucks coming and going at any part of the day.

A large shaded pavilion is also located inside the fence for a picnic lunch or snack. Besides the equipment pictured above. They have a ramp system with lots of slides and games for the kids to play. There no swings but they do have a small rock wall for the kids to climb on. If the kids get tired of the playground they can always go and hit up the library for story times when they are scheduled. There are no outdoor restrooms but you can always use the library restroom.

This is a nice park in the older part of Sterling but one that we will hit up especially on the hot days!

Clemyjontri Park in Mclean, VA!

Clemyjontri Park is an awesome park located in Mclean, VA off of Georgetown Pike (Rt 193) in Fairfax County. The park is 18 acres of bright colorful play equipment made for children with all different levels of development and special needs. The park was donated by the Lebowitz Family and the name is a combination of their four children, Carolyn (CL), Emily (EMY), John (JON), Petrina (TRI). Adele Lebowitz envisioned a park where all children could play side by side no matter their physical or mental differences. Further development of the park will include 10 acres of open space that will offer more amenities.

Large ramps connect pieces of equipment and are wide enough for wheelchair access. The rubber flooring is smooth and easy on the kids knees when they fall down. Other features of the park include a working carousel and picnic pavilion. Carousel tickets cost $1.75 for each child and adults are free. The pavilion is available for a shaded spot to enjoy a snack or lunch. You can also rent the pavilion for events and parties. Clean restrooms and water fountains are located on the property.

The pictures do not do the park justice. There is a lot of different types of equipment spread out over the park with plenty of benches and shaded areas to take a break. Clemyjontri Park is normally super busy but we were lucky that a passing rain shower kept people away. An extra parking lot is available at Langley Fork Park and you can follow a path down the road to a marked crosswalk where you cross over Georgetown Pike.  

Clemyjontri Park is a great park and the kids always have a blast!

Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA!

This past week we checked out Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA. Lake Fairfax Park is a 476-acre park in Fairfax County nestled between single family homes in the Lake Fairfax Estates community.

 The park offers campgrounds, tons of trails and picnic areas under large shade trees. If you like to geo-cache there are many hidden caches in the park. The lake has paddle boats you can rent but no swimming and windsurfing is allowed on the lake. A large walkway leads you down to the small marina where you can rent the paddle boats or drop in a canoe or kayak. Fishing is permitted from the docks but not while in boat on the lake.

For the kids, The Water Mine waterpark has an admission fee and includes a lazy river and waterslides. A carousel is also available for the kids and free of charge. If the waterpark and carousel aren't enough there is a small playground for the kids.

The kids and I had a great time walking around the lake along the trails. The carousel was also a favorite along with the playground. We'll definitely be returning to camp or just walk the trails at Lake Fairfax Park!

Hadley's Park in Sterling, VA!

This little relatively unknown park is near Dulles Town Center off of Dulles Center Blvd in Sterling, VA. Hadley's Park offers accessibility to disabled children with large ramps that are wheelchair accessible. The theme of the park is Main Street USA with store fronts for the kids to play pretend.

The playground floor is made of compressed rubber and makes for easier falls. There isn't a lot of shade except around the benches and under the equipment. But overall this is a cute park and the kids have a blast chasing each other along the ramps.

Next stop...Lake Fairfax in Reston, VA!