Greenway Park in Leesburg, VA!

Today we checked out Greenway Park in Leesburg, VA. The park is located in the single-family home neighborhood of Greenway Farms in the Town of Leesburg.

This is a very cute neighborhood park with a tot lot, nature trail and basketball court. Sadly there are no restrooms or swings but the kids had a great time playing on the equipment. There isn't any shade over the equipment but there a few picnic tables in the shade between the playground and basketball court.

Great park and if you live near the Greenway Farms development in Loudoun County you should check it out!

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!

Deer Forest Recreation Area in Reston, VA!

Since the weather will not make up it's mind I decided to post about Deer Forest Recreation Area located in the Deer Forest neighborhood in Reston. Deer Forest is a neighborhood in the North Point District of Reston and is also known as District 3 to the Reston Association. The park is located off of Reston Parkway just down the way from the North Point Village Center.

The Deer Forest Recreation Area includes a large piece of play equipment and two sets of swings for younger and older children. Even in the winter time the park has tons of shade. There are a few benches and a picnic table to stop and take a break. Right next to the play area is a large grassy area big enough for the kids to run around and play ball. Sadly there is not a restroom for the area but if you have a potty training kiddo you could head over to the North Point Village Center for a public restroom. As in many parts of Reston walking trails cross by the area and wind through the homes. So if you live in the area you may just be able to walk to the park along one of the great trails that wind through Reston. But in case you have to drive to check out the park just  park along Deer Forest Road off of Reston Parkway.

This Fairfax County park is a great community park and located in a very nice neighborhood of single family homes with great older trees and large yards. Just another example of why Reston is a coveted area to settle down.

One Loudoun Coming Soon to Loudoun County!

The much anticipated One Loudoun has finally broke ground. One Loudoun has been labeled as "Loudoun County's New Downtown." The large project will be developed off of Loudoun County Parkway and Harry Byrd Highway (Rt. 7). Suburban communities like Lansdowne, Ashburn and Sterling will benefit from the proximity of this project. Now Loudoun County residents won't have to travel to Reston Town Center to find all these amenities in one place.

One Loudoun is going to be a pedestrian friendly atmosphere with lots of walking paths and natural spaces. The large development will include shopping, restaurants, an Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, corporate office space, and a four star luxury hotel. In addition the community will include new single family homes by Camberley Homes and townhomes by NV Homes in all different price ranges.

I'm looking forward to all the walking paths and natural spaces for the kids to run around during the spring and summer months. When everyone is done playing we can go grab a bite to eat at one of the many restaurants that are going to be in One Loudoun.

Stratton Woods Park in Reston, VA!

Since the good weather is still upon us we checked out Stratton Woods Park in Reston, VA. This cute park is located off of Fox Mill Road and Fairfax County Parkway.

The 30-acre park has lot of different activities including baseball fields, soccer fields, a tennis court, volleyball court, basketball courts, hiking trails and a playground. The playground equipment was in great shape and in the summer time would have plenty of shade since it sits back in the middle of a nature area. Once you park in the lot you head down the trail to reach the equipment. I didn't see any restrooms but according to the Fairfax County site they do have facilities on the park property.

There are a few picnic tables around the playground so the little ones can take a break or enjoy a snack. My kids really loved this park and I can't wait to take them back in the spring time when the trees are filled out. The great part about this Fairfax County park is it's location to single family homes and townhomes so if you live in the area you should check it out!

Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon, VA!

Since the weather has been amazingly warm this December the boys and I struck out to find some new parks. We came across Haley M. Smith Park in Herndon,VA located off of Van Buren Street in Fairfax County! The park is situated between newer and older single family homes as well as a few industrial parks.

This park was very nice with newer equipment including swings and lots of grass. It also has a ride on two person airplane and dinosaur.The park includes two baseball/softball fields, a sand volleyball court and soccer field. There is a porta potty and when we were there it was very clean.

This is a very cute park in Herndon. It probably doesn't have a lot of shade in the summer but there are plenty of benches and picnic tables to take a break and a water fountain.

Big Chimneys Park in Falls Church, VA!

Big Chimneys Park in Falls Church, VA is located behind the Bowl America Falls Church bowling alley. This cute little park is tucked in between the bowling center and some townhomes in the City of Falls Church on West Annandale Road.

The park is not very large but it has large older trees which create lots of shade even without their leaves. The equipment is in great shape with two playsets and a swing set. There are no restrooms but if you were really stuck you could walk around to the bowling center to use the restrooms.

This is a cute little Fairfax County park and is in walking distance of townhomes and single family homes in the City of Falls Church. Parking is available on the street and if you live nearby you should check it out!

Bruin Park in Herndon, VA!

The weather lately has been crazy warm for the month of November. So we have been taking full advantage of the warm weather to check out some new parks. Last week we checked out Bruin Park in Herndon, VA.

Bruin Park is an 8-acre park that has plenty of shade and the play equipment was in good shape. There is a set of swing sets with both toddler and adult swings. A clean porta potty is available near the parking lot and when we were there it had just been cleaned. In addition to the play equipment it has two tennis courts, a softball field, a picnic pavilion and a basketball court.

As we were leaving the park we ran into grandmother bringing her grandchild to the playground and she informed me that she use to bring her son to the this park 30 years ago. She was excited to see that there were still lots of trees and she could bring her grandchild over to play.

This is a cute clean neighborhood park located in Fairfax County off of Van Buren Street near Old Town Herndon. If you live nearby you should check it out!

Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA!

Last week we checked out Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. Tucked back amongst a lovely neighborhood of single family homes on Courthouse Road in Fairfax County this 84 acre park has plenty for everyone.

The Hunter House sits on the Nottoway Park property named after it's original owner. This original farmhouse as been renovated over the years and was purchased by the Park Authority in 1972. It now can be rented to accommodate social and corporate events.

Besides the Hunter House the park has many different recreational courts and fields including tennis, basketball, volleyball courts and baseball fields. Different walking, biking and hiking trails run throughout the park as well. A small playground is located in a shady part of the park and sits near the public restrooms. The equipment is small but does include a set of swings with both toddler and child swings.

This very large park has a lot to offer Oakton and Vienna. If you enjoy organized sports there are plenty of different options to choose from at Nottoway. If you live in the area you should stop by and check it out!