Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA!

Today we checked out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn, VA! Since we couldn't be outside today we decided to hit up this local favorite in Ashburn. Jumping Jack Sports is located in the same strip mall as the Sports Bounce of Loudoun. Remember to wear your socks  as shoes are not allowed on the inflatables.

My boys had a blast running through the inflatable obstacle course, climbing the rock wall and jumping in the bounce house. My littlest guy wasn't left out either, there were plenty of ride on toys and balls for him to kick around. During the open play session they had a monitor person not just watching the kids but helping them over the tougher parts of the obstacle course. He even took my youngest son down the big slide and from then on I couldn't get him out.

The open play sessions change from week to week so it's best to check their website for dates and times. In addition to open play, Jumping Jack Sports offers sports classes for children and  for a fee you can hold your child's birthday party here. Restrooms were available and clean. No snacks are allowed inside the building so the play area was very clean.

Even though the open play session was only an hour and a half the kids were pooped out once we got home and took a long nap. If it's yucky outside come check out Jumping Jack Sports in Ashburn.

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!

Redskins Training Camp in Ashburn,VA!

For all those NFL football fans out there we are pretty lucky to live right next door to the Redskins training facility. Every July/August fans are invited to watch the team practice and get ready for the season. Every season the team presents a training camp schedule on their website. Redskins Training Facility is located in Loudoun County off of Loudoun County Parkway in Ashburn, VA. Parking is available as first come first serve basis and open 90 minutes before practice starts up. Gates open 1 hour before the scheduled practice starts.

The Redskins schedule certain times and dates for fans to come out view their favorite players. The Redskins organization recommends bringing a blanket or chair to sit on while watching the team. They offer merchandise, food and drinks for sale. If you're lucky after the players are done practicing you can ask the players for autographs.

Even if you're not a Redskins Fan it's a great place to take the kids to watch a professional football team get ready for the season!

Lyndora Park in Ashburn, VA!

Lyndora Park is located in Ashburn, VA in a planned community called Loudoun Valley. The Loudoun County community park backs up to open natural space and as you drive to the park you pass large single-family homes. Loudoun Valley was developed by Toll Brothers and the park was designed by them as well. The park is located right next door to the community club house and pool on Lucketts Bridge Road.

The park can be accessed either by Route 28, Route 50 and or Route 267 Dulles Toll Road. The park has a small fenced in tot lot, very well maintained baseball and soccer field. Two Porta Potties were available for restrooms. The best part of the park was the large pond. The pond has a walk out so you can see the geese, turtles and fish swimming in the pond. The pond is also catch and release and many residents were fishing when we checked it out.

Cute little park! The equipment was in great condition but lacked shade. The gnats were pretty bad in the grassy areas but at the tot lot they seemed to be okay. All the natural trees were nice to see in such a newer planned community.

Next stop......Brown's Chapel Park in Reston, VA!

Legacy Park in Brambleton, VA!

Today we checked out  Legacy Park located in Brambleton a planned community in Ashburn, VA. Brambleton is named for a plantation that was once in the area. Construction began around 2001 with the hopes of creating a close knit pedestrian friendly community. This Loudoun County community is beautiful and includes newer Estate homes, Single family homes, Townhomes, and condos. Legacy park is really nice. It's set amongst a grove of large older trees and has plenty of shade.

The play equipment is very nice and plenty of different pieces for the kids to try. There is a volleyball court and a pond to walk around too. It doesn't have restrooms but a shopping center is right across the street with public restrooms.

The park is located at Belmont Ridge Road and Legacy Park Drive in Brambleton. We will definitely be hitting up this park in the future. It's maintained really well and neat place to take the family.

Next Stop Briar Patch Park in Sterling......

Bles Park in Ashburn, VA!

Bles Park is tucked back behind George Washington University satellite campus in Ashburn, VA. The park offers three soccer fields, playground, and hiking trails. The trails take you along an inlet of the Potomac River. The soccer fields are nicely maintained and full of soccer players practicing.

The playground has new equipment including swings, teeter totter, and two sets of slides. It does not have any shade but restrooms are available.

After the kids hit the playground we checked out the hiking trails. The trail connects to the Broad Corridor Trails and Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trails. You walk through fields and protected wetlands with lots of wildlife including frogs and birds.

Overall the Loudoun County park is nice but with no shade we probably won't hit up the playground during the hotter months. The hiking trails were nice and we're definitely going to hit the trails for some geo-caching when the weather is nice. If you're a soccer player the fields were nicely maintained and great place to watch a game.

Time to hit up a park in Brambleton, VA!

Trailside Park in Ashburn

Trailside Park in Ashburn is located off of Claibourne Parkway in the Ashburn Farm Community. Ashburn Farm was once known as Gray Dairy Farm. In 1986 construction began on the planned community of homes, townhomes and condos. Many natural areas were preserved and some turned into parks including Trailside Park. This Loudoun County park includes 3 baseball fields, in-line skating rink and a big playground. The W&OD trail runs right along side the park and is nice way to walk, jog or bike to get there.

The play equipment is tucked back away and the trees offer plenty of shade during the hotter months. There are 3 large pieces of play equipment equipped for all age ranges. One of the larger pieces of equipment looks like a castle. Littler equipment is also available including a rocket, train and school bus for the kids climb in and pretend. Picnic tables are available inside and just outside the playground. Bathrooms are available at the snack bar and if the doors are locked they also have a porta potty just outside the entrance to the playground.

 Trailside is one of our top ten parks of all time. It's very well maintained and always a hit with the kids.

The next park we plan to explore is Bles Park in Ashburn!

Ashburn Park aka "The Dinosaur Park"

The Ashburn Park located in Ashburn, VA is known as the Ashburn "Dinosaur" Park to many parents. This park is located in Loudoun County off of Partlow Road in the heart of Old Town Ashburn. It has four different sets of equipment for all different age groups with pictures of dinosaurs on them. The park has lots of shade on a hot day and a porta potty is located near the entrance to the park.

A pavillion is located in the middle of the park and is great place to have a picnic lunch. They added a new piece of equipment for the older kids and it has a great scavenger hunt game and rock wall. If you walk further into the park there is also a small creek and trails. The trail eventually leads to the W&OD Trial and backs to another community trail system.

Great park with lots of things for the kids to do. Ashburn Park is definitely in our Top Ten of parks in the Northern Virginia area!

Check out my next write up on the Luray Caverns....