Potomack Lakes Sportsplex in Sterling, VA!

We are very lucky to live close by the Potomack Lakes Sportsplex in Sterling, VA. This Loudoun County park is near the entrance to Algonkian Regional Park off of Cascades Parkway. Most people know the park as the "Algonkian Park" due to its proximity to Algonkian Regional Park. Communites near the park are Cascades, Countryside and Lowes Island with many single family homes, townhomes and condos.

The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex includes 4 lighted softball fields, 6 soccer fields and a large playground with picnic pavilion. Clean restrooms are available both by the softball fields and soccer fields. The playground is huge and has 4 large pieces of age appropriate equipment with two sets of swing sets. It is surrounded by large trees that allow the kids to step out of the sun and into the shade. Many benches and picnic tables are available to rest or have a picnic lunch.

If you are a hiker or bike rider you can find a path heading east away from the playground. A portion of this path is the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and also part of the Cascades Community pathways. Painted green squares on the trees let you know when you pick up the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. It's possible to hike about 12 miles all the way to Difficult Run in Great Falls, VA. Also if you like to geo-cache this trail is a great place to find many hidden caches.

The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex is great if you're into sports and if you enjoy a huge park with lots of equipment. This playground is one of the best in the area!

Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park in Ashburn, VA!

The other day we checked out Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park at the advice of a friend. Located in Loudoun County you have to drive through the neighboorhood of Lansdowne on the Potomac to arrive at the entrance to the park. You'll find the pathway takes you right through The Golf Club at Lansdowne golf course. Just follow the signs as you stroll down the cart paths towards the Potomac River. I felt a little odd walking through the course but the marshalls were there pointing the way to the Potomac along with the signs.

Once we got down to the Potomac a small set of wooden steps led us down to the river. Since the water level was lower large boulders were available to explore along with small river shells for the kids to collect. Once the kids got bored we walked back up the steps and along the section of Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail that lies inside the park. It was a nice shady walk with the kids. We did use our stroller most of the way. If you are a geo-cacher this place is great for searching for hidden caches. After the park we hit up the golf courses' small snack bar located at the entrance of the trail. They had no problems serving a non member and allowed us to sit at the tables and chairs to eat our lunch. Plus there is restroom attached to the snack bar.

We are definitely coming back to this natural park for some more fun! It was a beautiful setting to take the kids and burn off some of  that extra energy they always seem to have.

Horsepen Run in Potomac Falls, VA!

Horsepen Run in Potomac Falls, VA is located in the planned community of Countryside. The Countryside community in Loudoun County was completed in 1991 and consists of Manor Homes, Single Family Homes, Townhouses and Condos. Horsepen Run is 370-acres of undeveloped land that was donated by the developer of the Countryside community. Now Horsepen Run is a protected wetland preserve that has several different trails with the main trail leading to the Potomac River.

Horsepen Run can be accessed from the Parkway Pool parking lot off Algonkian Parkway. Along the main gravel trail you'll find plenty of shade and a few benches on your way to the Potomac. A small creek runs the length of the trail and eventually runs out into the Potomac inlet. Smaller trails like the Bobcat, Deer and Eagle Trails allow you to walk further into the woods off of the main trail. A stroller or wagon can be taken down the main trail with a little effort. The trials are a great place to walk, jog or bike. There are a few geo-caches in the area as well. Once you have reached the Potomac there 6 picnic benches to enjoy a snack or lunch.

The kids always have a great time walking through Horsepen Run. We always spot a turtle or some other type of wildlife. Plus we can't beat having a nice natural walking area so close to our home in the Countryside community. In the future Horsepen Run may be part of Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail System.

Next stop Glyndon Park in Vienna, VA!

Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA!

Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA located in Fairfax County lies just above Great Falls National Park. In fact you can walk from Riverbend Park all the way to Great Falls National Park via the Potomac National Heritage Trail along the Potomac River. Unlike Great Falls where you pay a park fee Riverbend is a free regional park and open from dawn till dusk with gates closing promptly at 8:30 p.m. Riverbend Park is located off of Georgetown Pike in Great Falls, Virginia. You follow Riverbend Road through magnificent neighborhoods filled with custom Estate homes and single family homes on large wooded lots. Regional Park signs will navigate you towards the park.

The Nature Center is a neat place for the kids to see local wildlife like snakes, skinks and frogs. For the adults and older kids there is historical information about the people that once inhabited the area before the settlers took over. The Nature Center has a small snack bar, ice cream and gift shop. Outside the nature center they have an observation deck with Adirondack chairs and tables to sit and watch the river. Public restrooms and water fountains are available just outside the nature center. A small frog pond is located below the nature center and at this time of year it allows visitors to check out the newly hatched tadpoles that will eventually turned into frogs.

 Once you have finished exploring the nature center you can head out on the trails. Riverbend park has 2.5 miles of Potomac Heritage Trail along the Potomac River which if you head south will take you directly into Great Falls Park. The trails are great for walkers/joggers but strollers and bikes would have a hard time getting through. More trails are available through the upland forests and a few are challenging. If you enjoy geo-caching this park has plenty hidden for you to find. A picnic area is also available right next to the river and offers grills to cook out. This upper portion of the Potomac River is a good place to drop in a kayak or canoe and a launching area is available.

The kids and I love this park! The trails offer plenty of shade and we always see lots of wildlife on our walks. Walking along the river is a great way to get away and is a very convienent location to Northern Virginian residents.

Next Stop....Lyndora Park in Ashburn, VA!

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!