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!

Nell Boone Park in Purcellville, VA!

Today we traveled west to the town of Purcellville to check out Nell Boone Park in the Neersville community. Purcellville is known for its farm land and many vineyards in western Loudoun County. Purcellville is great place to go winetasting and the Virginia vineyard signs point you towards each winery. If you're looking for an affordable single family home with a larger yard and fewer neighbors Purcellville is the place to look. Large Manor and Estate Homes sitting on large lots scour the hillsides. Old Town Purcellville has century old Victorian style homes lining the main street through town. On our way to Nell Boone Park the drive was beautiful and we past many rolling hills and valleys. Nell Boone Park is situated right next to the Neersville Fire Station. The kids got to enjoy the park as well as the Fire Truck and Ambulance coming and going.

The park includes two newer sets of fenced in age appropriate play equipment. There is no shade so on a hot day like yesterday the refuge from the heat was under the play equipment. The park also has a baseball/softball field, aging basketball and tennis court. A porta potty is available near the baseball field as well.

Great community park nestled in between vineyards and farm land!

Next stop Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA!

Lansdowne Sports Park in Lansdowne, VA!

Today we visited Lansdowne Sports Park in Lansdowne, VA. Lansdowne is located in Western Loudoun County, a planned community near Leesburg, VA north of Route 7. Lansdowne Sports Park is located in the community of Lansdowne on the Potomac. This community gives you country club style with estate homes, single family homes, luxury townhomes and luxury condos. Lansdowne is one of the more wealthy communities in Loudoun County. Lansdowne Sports Park is found near the middle of the community on Kipheart Drive.

The park includes two soccer fields, one softball field, basketball court, tot lot and two picnic pavilions. The tot lot is fenced and gated. It does not have any shade but the equipment is in great shape. Public restrooms are available but a walk from the tot lot.

Great community park with lots to offer its residents!

Next stop western Loudoun County....Nell Boone Park in Purcellville!

Woodmont Park in Arlington, VA

Last week we checked out a park in the high end Woodmont neighborhood of Arlington, VA. The Woodmont Center is tucked back amongst newly renovated and custom homes in Northern Arlington County. The area includes a playground, basketball court, athletic field and fountains. The Woodmont YMCA Center offers a variety of programs for all ages.

The playground is small but has plenty of things for the kids to do including a rope bridge for the older kids. The gazebo is a nice place for a snack or picnic lunch. Public Restrooms and water fountains are available inside the Woodmont Center. This a cute neighborhood park located in Arlington County is somewhere we will take the kids again.

Next location....Lansdowne Sports Park in Lansdowne, VA

Briar Patch Park in Sterling, VA!

This week we checked out a local park, Briar Patch Park. This Loudoun County park is located in Sterling Park. Sterling Park was one of the first planned communities in Eastern Loudoun County. Once farm land it was developed into homes and townhomes in the late 60's.

The playground has a several different age appropriate pieces of equipment. It also has a small fenced in area with a gate for little ones to run around.

There is not much shade and this park can get hot in the summer months. It does offer porta potties for your convenience . It's a nice park and one that we will hit up often.

Time to explore Woodmont Park in Arlington, 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!