Spring Hill Park in Mclean, VA!

Today the kids and I checked out Spring Hill Park in Mclean, VA. Spring Hill Park is part of the Spring Hill Rec Center in Fairfax County.

The park area includes RECenter, astroturf soccer/football fields, baseball fields, walking trails and fenced in playground. The playground is in great shape with a large piece of equipment for the larger kids and toddler size slide for the younger crowd. Both regular and toddler swings are in the area along with picnic benches. The area also has smaller picnic benches for the kids to sit at under the shade of a tree. Restrooms are located inside the RECenter and also porta potties at each individual field.

This is a cute playground great for bringing a picnic lunch or snack. If you live in the area of Spring Hill Road in Mclean you should check it out!

Franklin Park in Purcellville, VA!

Today we were out in Western Loudoun County and decided to hit up Franklin Park in Purcellville, VA. This 203-acre park has lots of natural space and plenty of activities for everyone. Franklin Park Performing and Visual Arts Center is also located in the park.

The park has many different sports venues including inline skating rink, volleyball court, tennis courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, disc golf course and swimming pool. In addition to the sports venues there are two different trails an outer loop used for hiking, walking and biking and the inner loop is used for horseback riding. A catch and release pond is located by the baseball fields and has several docks to fish from.

A large fenced in playground is located over by the baseball fields along with an indoor restroom and picnic pavilion. The playground has two large pieces of equipment and both toddler and regular swings. The play area has plenty of shade near and over the equipment.

This is a very nice park with plenty of activities for everyone. The park has a great natural feel and the kids had a great time walking the trails. If you live in the Purcellville area I would highly recommend checking out this park.

Tuscarora Creek Park in Leesburg, VA!

Last week we checked out Tuscarora Creek Park in the Town of Leesburg, VA. A local Dad had told me about the park along with a few others. The park gets it's name from the Tuscarora Creek which sits below the park near the W & OD Trail. Trail access is available right next to the park and a paved path takes you down a slight hill to the trail.

The park has one piece of play equipment which is more appropriate for the older kids than the younger crowd. There are both toddler and regular swings available. There is no shade over the equipment but the kids can escape the sun either under the pavilion or amongst the trees that surround the park. A picnic pavilion is available to rent along with the restrooms. Sadly the restrooms are only available during the rental periods.

The Tuscarora Creek Park in Loudoun County is small but great if you live near the Battlefield Parkway Expansion Bridge. With access to the W & OD Trail if you live near you could use the trail to access the park. An added bonus is the small creek down the paved trail where the kiddos can check out the frogs and throw rocks into the water.

Douglass Community Park in Leesburg, VA!

Yesterday we were shopping in Leesburg and stumbled across Douglass Community Park. This great fenced in park is located off E. Market Street behind the Douglass Community Center. The W & OD Trail runs by the paved trail to the community center and is another great way to get to the park.

The Loudoun County playground has two large pieces of play equipment, one small piece of equipment, a small rock wall, and two sets of swings. The equipment was in great condition with a few of the pieces being brand new. With the leaves on the trees the park has lots of shade including the picnic shelter near the playground. Restrooms are available inside the playground and according to a Dad at the park they have a porta potty near the park from April to October.

This is a great community park in Old Town Leesburg with lots of things for the kids to do!

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!

Nokesville Community Park in Nokesville, VA!

Last week we were able to sneak in one last park before the rain started in Nokesville, VA. The Nokesville Community Park is a very large park in Prince William County.

The park has a lot to offer everyone including the sports community, equestrian community and anybody who enjoys being out in nature. Nokesville Community Park has soccer fields, baseball fields, volleyball courts, two equestrian rings, horseshoe pits, hiking trails, and picnic pavilion. A playground is also tucked away down a small trail from the parking lot. The playground is very conveniently located next to the indoor restrooms. But being that it was February the restrooms were winterized. There was one piece of play equipment which was in good condition along with toddler swings and a tire swing that was missing. The area is heavily wooded with lots of shade even without the trees having leaves. This park is also great for geo-caching and it has many caches throughout the park.

It's too bad I couldn't get anymore pictures of the park since it decided to start raining heavily. The kids and I are going to go back and check out the hiking trails throughout park. One note of advice I need to give is that you can't see the playground from the parking lot so just keep an eye out for the park sign with arrows.

This is a very nice natural park with lots to offer everyone!

Fairmont Park in Manassas, VA!

The weather was great today so the kids and I ventured out to Prince William County and did a park crawl. First up on our list was Fairmont Park in Manassas, VA. This Prince William County park is located off of Fairmont Avenue in a neighborhood of single family homes.

The park has one piece of the equipment, a set of toddler swings and a tire swing for the older kids. The equipment doesn't have much shade over it but there is a grove of trees for the kids to get out of the heat. One of the big slides was out of commission but the rest of the equipment was in good shape. There are restrooms at the park but since it's still February the indoor restrooms were winterized.

This is a cute neighborhood park and if you live in the area you should it check it out!

Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA!

Today we checked out Lakeside Park in Fairfax, VA. I had heard good things about the park and decided to see what it was all about. Lakeside Park is alongside Lake Royal in  Fairfax County in the Kings West Park subdivision of single family homes.

The park is great with walking/hiking trails, basketball court, baseball and soccer field, and play equipment. The best part is the lake where the kids can see the frogs, geese and ducks. The play equipment was newer and included swings. When we went there was no porta potty but when I spoke with a neighborhood mom she said there is normally a porta potty in the parking lot.

This park is great and so close to nature. I do have to add one warning and it's only in the grassy areas by the lake but you have to look out for the goose excrement. The geese seem to stay clear of the playground so no worries when the kids are playing on the equipment.

I can't wait to come back in the spring time and walk the trails around Lake Royal and Crooked Creek!