Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA!

Today my kids and I checked out Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, VA. This 493-acre park located in Fairfax County has a large lake, 4-mile shaded trail around the lake, playground, carousel, miniature golf course, shaded picnic areas, picnic pavillion, snack bar, restrooms, boat rentals and boat launch. On your way to the park off of Backlick Road you head through older single family homes and a small industrial area. You would never know that such a beautiful natural park is on the other side.

The playground is located at the furthest parking lot you can drive to tucked behind the ticket kiosk for the carousel and miniature golf course. The equipment was newer and completely in the shade. During the week the carousel opens at 12 p.m. and runs every 1/2 hour until the park closes. The park also had several picnic shelters and a pavilion to rent for get togethers.

After the playground we walked along the gravel trail around the lake. Almost of all the trail is completely in the shade and there are resting benches and trash cans all along the trail. After you enter the park you pass under a train trestle well off the ground and out of harms way. My oldest son loves trains and when we were there two trains came through and made his day. At the end of the lake there is a small dam that allows overflow to be relieved and sometimes this run off will cut the walking trail off near the bridge. If you're a fellow geo-cacher there are many caches hidden along the trails too.

The kids and I really liked this park. If you're into walking through natural areas around a lake you'll really like Lake Accotink Park!

Signal Hill Park in the City of Manassas Park, VA!

A few days ago we checked out Signal Hill Park in the City of Manassas Park located in Prince William County. This 110-acre park includes a water park, playground, multipurpose field, basketball courts, softball field, picnic pavilion, picnic area and grills, walking paths and a fishing pond. The Signal Bay Water Park includes a zero entry pool and lazy river.

The playground doesn't have any shade but on a nice day the equipment is decent and there is a swing set. There is two shaded picnic tables near the playground with restrooms. If the kids get tired of the playground you can walk along the trails to the pond to check out the ducks and geese.  If you're into geo-caching this park has plenty for you to track down.

This park has a lot to offer for sport enthusiasts and the kids!

Claude Moore Community Center in Sterling, VA!

We are frequent visitors of the Claude Moore Community Center in Sterling, VA! Claude Moore Community Center offers a gym, basketball courts, elevated jogging track, drop-in child care, rock wall, classes, indoor competitive lap pool, and leisure pool. During the winter time they open the indoor basketball courts to little ones and give them balls to run around the gym and play.

They have an awesome zero entry pool with a jungle gym in the middle of the pool for the younger kids. Claude Moore also offers an indoor three story water slide, lazy river and whirlpool. This facility has similiar features as Cub Run RECenter in Chantilly and the Freedom Fitness and Aquatic Center in Manassas.

The pool is fully staffed with trained lifeguards and swim instructors if you choose to join a swim class. The pools also offer life vests for the kids to rent if needed. Locker Rooms are available including a family locker room with showers. A fee schedule is posted on their website with certain packages available based on your needs.

My kids love this pool and I know when I take them here they are safe and the locker rooms are clean.

Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods in Vienna, VA!

Today we checked out Wolf Trap's Children's Theatre in the Woods. Wolf Trap National Park is the only national park dedicated to presenting the performing arts. The park has multiple amphitheatres including the Children's Theatre in the Woods with performances from May-September.Wolf Trap National Park is located in the suburbs of Vienna, VA in Fairfax County.

The Children's Theatre is located in the woods and seating is general admission. Parking is available at the entrance of the Filene Center. You walk up a small hill and down to the ticket kiosk. Tickets can be purchased either online or at the ticket kiosk. Restrooms are available outside the theatre near the ticket kiosk. Food is not allowed inside the theatre but they have many benches around to have a snack or lunch. In between shows people would walk out and grab a snack then return to watch the second show. I'm surpised at the lack of bugs in the venue even though we were sitting in the middle of the woods.

We were lucky enough to be in the third row from the stage but there really wasn't a bad seat in the house. Strollers are allowed up to the entrance of the theatre and then parked near a fence. The shows were aimed more towards the Kindergarten level but my little boys loved the show.

We'll be headed back to Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts!

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!

Cutter Mill Park in Herndon, VA!

Today the boys and I checked out Cutter Mill Park in Herndon, VA. This Fairfax County park is located at 1501 Herndon Parkway.

This 6-acre park is located between Cuttermill and Westfield single family home divisions. The park offers a baseball field, half court basketball, volleyball, playground and walking paths. It also has a small basketball hoop for the kids. Two sets of playground equipment are completely in the shade including a picnic table and benches. Sadly there are no restrooms as this park.

This is a cute little park with lots of shade and if you live in Herndon you should check it out!

HUD Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program

Calling all Public Servants!

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has a new program, Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program. The program offers law enforcement officers, pre-Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers and firefighters/emergency medical technicians an incentive when you purchase an eligible single family home located in revitalization areas. The incentive is a 50% discount from the list price of the home and in return you must live in the property for 36 months as your sole residence.

To find out how to participate check out the HUD website, Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program.

True North Realty, LLC happily serving the D.C. Metro Area! If you are in need of Real Estate Services please contact Kamber Petty (571)-299-8307 or email me at Kamber.a.petty@gmail.com.

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