Glencarlyn Park in Arlington, VA!

Last week we checked out the Glencarlyn Park in Arlington, VA. This park has two different entrances to the park and like Bluemont Park the W & OD and Four Mile Run Trail run right through the park. The playground can be approached from either entrance with just a short walk down the trail to the equipment.

The park has one piece of large play equipment and one small airplane for the little ones to play on. The equipment will have a ton of shade once the leaves are back on the trees. There is an indoor restroom and porta potties are available in April through October. A creek runs through the park and has several bridges that cross over and are great for the kids to see the fish. The park also has paved trails, nature trails, fishing, canine recreation area, and rental picnic shelters.

This is a great natural park and if your family is into geocaching this another nice site to find hidden caches. If you live in the Glencarlyn portion of Arlington County and like to get out into nature this would be a nice place to hike, jog or bike ride. 

Bluemont Park in Arlington, VA!

Today we checked out Bluemont Park in Arlington, VA! This is a beautiful park with a lot to offer everyone in Arlington County. The W & OD trail and 4-Mile Run winds through the park and if you live in the neighboring Bluemont single family home neighborhood this an option to get to the park.

The park has baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis and basketball courts. If you like to exercise there are gravel and paved trails to walk, jog and ride bikes on. The creek that runs through the park has many bridges crossing back and forth over it with lots of chances for the kids to see fish and frogs. Tons of older trees for a large amount of shade throughout the park.

When we were at the park I struck up a conversation with a local mom and she said the play equipment had only just been replaced since last year. There is a great piece of equipment shaped like a train for the older kids including a rope spiderweb for them to crawl around and swings. For the younger kids there are two pieces of play equipment with a farm theme. Also a set of toddler swings, large sandbox, and small house just their size to stop and eat a snack. Around the equipment are large concrete seats for the parents to take a break along with picnic benches. The entire play area is covered in shade by large older trees. There is a gate and fence once you enter the playground area but it doesn't go entirely around the play area. The gate and fence is up to keep the kids from running out into the walking path and getting struck by a bicyclist. Right next door to the playground are indoor restrooms!!! When we were there the restrooms were very clean.

I have to say this is a great park with lots to offer the entire family! We'll definitely be returning again and bringing some friends. If you live in Arlington County this is a must see!

Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington, VA!

Upton Hill Regional Park in Arlington, VA straddles Fairfax and Arlington County.  The park is surrounded by great older single family homes that Arlington is known for and lots of local shopping. The park has a miniature golf course, Ocean Dunes Waterpark, bocce ball pit, batting cages, and playground. If you're into walking/hiking the park has lots of trails that take you through naturally wooded areas. If you are into geo-caching there are lots of hidden caches in the park.

On our visit we walked some of the trails and hit up the playground. Where the play equipment is placed you can tell it use to be an old fountain and the kids had a blast walking up the stairs between the two different play areas. The playground is in pretty good shape and in plenty of shade. The park does have restrooms but not down below near the equipment. If you're interested in the play equipment you can either park on Wilson Blvd or park above near the waterpark and walk down the trail.

This nice natural park is great to see amongst the busy area of Arlington and has lots to offer everyone!

Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA!

Today we checked out Potomac Overlook Regional Park in Arlington, VA! Located in Arlington County this 70-acre park has a lot too offer everyone. The park is located in the suburbs of North Arlington amongst marvelous single family homes.

Once you pull into the park you'll see a small playground and picnic shelter with clean restrooms. The kids had a great time playing on the equipment that look liked a wooden fort. The equipment was completely in the shade and had a small fence to guard them from the parking lot. Picnic tables were located under the picnic shelter and right next to the playground also completely in the shade.

Once the kids got tired of the playground we headed towards the Nature Center which is located down a small access road through the trees. The Nature Center is closed on Mondays but open Tuesday through Sunday except for holidays.

The Nature Center has many different animals including a hive of bees, snakes, turtles and more snakes! In the upper level you'll find their new program "Energerium" educational information on energy basics and conservation efforts. On the lower level you'll find the "Kids Cave" with educational information on bats and other animals you can find in the park.

Once the kids saw all they could in the Nature Center we headed out towards the parks vegetable garden. Here you cross over a Koi pond to enter the garden. They had many plants growing including herbs, pumpkins, squash and strawberries. Several park employees were tending the garden and showed the kids several herbs to smell and taste. My son got a kick out of the pumpkin patch and spotting the newly grown pumpkins getting ready for harvest in a few weeks.

After the garden we headed out towards the trails to walk around some. The kids got sidetracked by a shaded bench in front a bush that had many butterflies coming to the flowers. Here we ended up eating lunch and just hanging out watching the bees and butterflies go after the nectar.

By this time the kids got tired so we headed back to the parking lot. Next time we come to the park we are gonna have to check out all the trails that are located through out the park. We saw many people jogging and walking dogs through the trails.

This is a great park with lots of shade and fun things for the kids to get into in Arlington, VA!

Woodmont Park in Arlington, VA

Last week we checked out a park in the high end Woodmont neighborhood of Arlington, VA. The Woodmont Center is tucked back amongst newly renovated and custom homes in Northern Arlington County. The area includes a playground, basketball court, athletic field and fountains. The Woodmont YMCA Center offers a variety of programs for all ages.

The playground is small but has plenty of things for the kids to do including a rope bridge for the older kids. The gazebo is a nice place for a snack or picnic lunch. Public Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the Woodmont Center. This a cute neighborhood park located in Arlington County is somewhere we will take the kids again.

Next location....Lansdowne Sports Park in Lansdowne, VA

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Today we checked out Theodore Roosevelt Island in Arlington, Virginia for the first time. Located off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, only a footbridge can take you to the 2 1/2 miles of  trail over the island. A small parking lot along the GW Memorial Parkway gives you direct access to the footbridge. The island was originally owned by a gas company in the '30s until it was sold off to The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association. In 1967 is was dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt and became an official memorial and part of the National Park Service. A statue of the 26th president is erected including two large fountains. The fountain portion of the memorial is currently undergoing restoration.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

The trails allow you to walk, jog or bike all over island. Large trees gave us plenty of shade to avoid getting the kids overheated. Restroom facilites were also available at certain points on the island. This national park gives you great views of Georgetown and the Washington D.C. Monuments all while being surrounded by nature.

Next stop.....Burke Lake Park!

Attention Travelers.....

We are lucky to have three major airports in our area, Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Reagan National Airport.

Located in Chantilly, VA you'll find Dulles International Airport. You can spot the airplanes landing and taking off as you travel Route 28 in Fairfax County. Route 28 can be easily accessed from Route 66, the Dulles Toll Road, Route 50 or Route 7. There is plenty of parking if you plan to leave your car and no shortage of cabs or shuttles going to and from the airport. The Dulles Corridor Metro Rail project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in 2014.

Located across the Potomac River from the Nation's Capital in Arlington, VA you'll find Reagan National Airport. This airport is connected to the Metro Rail System which exits at two terminals of the airport. Amtrak can also be used to access this airport via shuttles from two rail stations, one is in Alexandria, VA and the other is Union Station in D.C.

Baltimore Washington International Airport is located in Baltimore, MD. BWI is easily accessible from Northern Virginia via Baltimore Washington Parkway and Route 95. Amtrak, MARC and Metro light rail also service the airport. With this airport being less than 45 minutes from Northern Virginia it's another option for air travel.


With access to these three airports from Northern Virginia, it makes traveling very convenient. Northern Virginia and the suburbs of D.C. are optimal locations for living.

Safe travels.....

Relocation

In the Northern Virginia area you can most likely throw a rock and hit someone who has relocated to the area either for job opportunities, military or family. My small circle of friends have come from all over including Florida, California, New York, West Virginia and Ohio.  Very few of our friends are actually from Virginia with a small exception of my husband.

In cases where people are moving for job opportunities some companies will offer relocation packages. Some packages will recommend a realty firm to help you purchase or rent your new home.

A few of my close friends have shared their stories of relocating with me. One of my good friends said next time she would choose their own Realtor instead of going with the realty firm offered in a relocation package. She felt the Realtor with her package didn't offer enough time for her and kept steering her towards neighborhoods she felt were out of her price range. When time became an issue the Realtor went on vacation and left her unqualified nephew (who had no car) to show them properties. In the end she found her own home without the help of the Realtor or her nephew. The Realtor still received her commission but it was undeserved.

Another friend found her Realtor in her relocation package perfect. She loved her Realtor because she was well versed in the area and understood their needs. Once they disclosed their wish list she made a point of showing properties meeting their needs and discarded listings that did not. My friend felt the process was a success because they found a home in a reasonable amount of time and it met all their needs including price.

In Northern Virginia  there are many established and newer communities. You can live close to the city in Arlington, out west in Leesburg or anywhere in between. If you find yourself relocating to a new county or even a new state make sure you locate a Realtor that understands your needs. True North Realty, LLC is well versed in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, Faquier and Prince William County. Let us help you find your new home!

Kamber Petty 571-299-8307 or kamber.a.petty@gmail.com