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. 

Bon Air Park in Arlington, VA!

The other day we checked out Bon Air Park in Arlington, VA! The Bon Air Park also features the Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden. I'm gonna have to return to the park when the roses are in bloom because as of right now they were trimmed back for the winter.

When we went to the park I didn't know there was another piece of equipment by the picnic shelter. We had just checked out the play equipment between the Rose garden and restrooms. The restrooms are indoor and were clean when we were there. The park sits right on the W & OD Trail with a creek in between the trail and the park. The piece of equipment by the Rose garden was in good condition and the play surface was sand. There is a little bit of shade with a bench for the kids to get out of the heat too.  The kids had a fun time throwing rocks in the creek and running around the large grassy area. In addition to the paved and gravel trails there are two tennis courts, basketball and a volleyball court. The same local woman that I talked to at Bluemont Park said this park is very natural and beautiful during the spring and summer months.

This is a very beautiful park and if you live in Arlington County or just in the Bluemont neighborhood you should check it out!

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!

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

The Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park is better known as the W&OD Trail to most in Northern Virginia. Labeled as the "skinniest park in Virginia" it is one of the longest parks at 45 miles.

Most of the W&OD Railroad Regional Park is sitting on the same site as the old railbed of the retired Washington & Old Domionion Railway. The 45 miles of trail are asphalt paved with crosswalks and or lights where the trail crosses major roads. Alongside 35 miles of the trail is gravel base path for equestrian riders. The trail takes you from Shirlington, VA in Arlington County and if you travel the entire 45 miles you end up in Purcellville, VA in Loudoun County. From Shirlington to Purcellville you pass through the cities and towns of Arlington, Ballston, Falls Church, Vienna, Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Paeonian Springs, and Hamilton, VA.

The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad closed it's doors in 1968. The last large project the failing railroad company faced was the installation of Washington-Dulles International Airport. Many supplies were brought to the area via the railroad company. After the Washington-Dulles International Airport project was completed the railroad company closed it's doors unable to compete with other railway companies in the region. Shortly thereafter the railbed property was sold to Virginia Department of Highways and then portions were sold to Virginia Electric and Power Company for the installment of electric transmission lines.

The first portion of the trial opened in 1974 in the City of Falls Church when Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority leased the rights from the power company. When the trail became popular they purchased this portion and other segments to continue the trail. The trail eventually reached Purcellville and was completed in 1988. Other small segments were then added with the last being paved in 2007. Small remnants of the railroad remain along the trail along with small exhibits/displays that talk about the history of the railroad company and trail. Companies like Norfolk Southern Railway and others have donated three cabooses that are displayed along the trail and two of them house small displays about the W & OD Railroad and Trail.

The W & OD Trail is great place to walk, jog, bike and or horseback ride. Many cyclist use this trail to ride to and from work since it crosses many towns and cities. Of course the trail is the safest in the day light hours but you pass through many scenic and natural areas so it's wise to take precautions when using the trail alone.

Happy Trails to you!

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!