Floral Grandeur at Bon Air Memorial Rose GardenBon Air Memorial Rose Garden
850 North Lexington St.
Arlington, VA 22205
Situated at the corner of North Lexington and Wilson Boulevard at North Lexington Street in Arlington, The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden features 135 rose varieties and over 2500 plant species It is the scenic location for botanical aficionados, lovers or for those who would just like to enjoy the 23.65 acres of nature.
Amenities offered at Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden:
3 Water Fountains
Picnic Shelter
1 Open Leisure Space
Grills
Paved Trails
Stream
Restrooms
Playgrounds
2 Tennis Courts
1 Basketball Court
1 Volleyball Court
The highlights of the Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden, where “All American Roses” is held yearly, are the rose garden, azalea garden, shade garden, sun garden and ornamental tree garden showcasing miniature roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Floribunda, Grandiflora and more. The rose garden is managed by the Arlington Rose Foundation. For more information about the rose garden, please contact the Arlington Rose Foundation at 703 358 4747.
The Bon Air Memorial Rose Garden is open from Sunrise till half an hour after Sunset throughout the year.
The Occoqan Regional Park is located in Lorton, Virginia, in Fairfax County, right across from the Town of Occoquan. It's located on the Occoquan River. It opened in 2008 making it 1 of 29 parks in the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority. It has around 400 acres of recreational space. There are many different things to do there such as, hit the batting cage, have a picnic, get a snack at the snack bar in the marina, play your favorite sport on one of their athletic fields, etc. They also have a boat ramp and boat storage. Their hiking trail is 1.1 miles round trip and forms a loop. The trail is well maintained. Most say that the blue trail is a great running trail and is very well marked. Dogs are of course welcome in the park. Historic black kilns from the early 1900's can be found on the property, reminding us of the women suffragists who demonstrated in front of the White House and were then imprisoned on the prison farm where these are found.
If you're shopping for a home you might be surprised to learn just how affordable and pleasant some homes in Occoquan and near the park might be.
Splashdown Water Park is a great place for recreation and fun for those living around Northern Virginia. This local water park is located in Prince William County at an official county park known as Ben Lomond Park. The park has facilities catered to a younger audience and is a great place for parents to relax.
Splashdown's motto is "It's like a day at the beach without the drive!" and the park lives up to this slogan. The park has 770 foot lazy river, a lap pool, activity pools, cannon ball slides, 4 story water slides, tropical twister water slides, lilly pad and log walks, and a huge sandy beach area with tons of sand. Prices are relatively low and parking is free.
The park hosts birthday parties and play date programs as well. There are cabana and life jacket rentals and the park even offers swimming lessons. Season passes and tickets are now available online. The park is located at 7500 Ben Lomond Park Drive, Manassas Virginia, 20109.
Homes for Sale in Manassas
Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, Kings Dominion is a great place for families and children of all ages to enjoy a day off. The amusement park is owned by Paramount and is the only major theme park in Virginia (there is a Six Flags in Baltimore, Maryland). The park includes several roller coasters, a concert hall, and a water park is about two hours from Northern Virginia.
Kings Dominion is home to fifteen roller coasters including the Volcano, the Anaconda, the Intimidator 305, Flight of Fear, and the Dominator. The park offers an extensive collection of water attractions as well, many that are great for young children.
Paramount and the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company has partnered with the children's network Nickelodeon to provide genuine and authentic live action performances of some favorite novelty characters. Dora the Explorer, Spongebob, and Diego can all be seen at the park.
When planning a visit, be sure to purchase tickets online for a great discount. Starting in April, the park will be open on weekends and certain holidays/weeks. Season passes are now available online for the 2011 season. The park is located on 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047.
I can think of a number of things my children prefer to do when the weather starts to get warmer. However, since learning how to swim the first thing they ask is to go swimming. I wasn’t all that familiar with my options and the fortunate thing is that many of the subdivisions around here come with clubhouses and swimming pools. Unfortunately, even that can get old to kids. I took a friend up on a suggestion to try a local waterpark in Reston. We had several to choose from and decided to give Water Mine a try.
Upon arrival, it was surprising that in a seemingly regular neighborhood a waterpark existed. We drove down this road that looks like we were going into the woods and up popped this waterpark. Obviously with all the screaming my kids were doing, they were definitely excited. We found a place to park and were happy that even though we forgot to pack a lunch they had a concession stand that offered all types of goodies to eat. The pricing was very reasonable and it was a beautiful day to take advantage of the all-day ticket. They had several slide options and the park was arranged in to sections suitable for certain ages.
We stayed for a few hours and decided to head home. I asked my kids if they would like to come back and they were excited at just the thought of returning. Although we are still hanging on to the last remnants of Winter, it is good to know that you have options when swimsuit weather returns and you don’t have to go far to enjoy it.
Lorton Station situated on 300 acres is located in Southern Fairfax County, Virginia. It is a new planned community that offers residents a blend of conveniences from shopping to dining and outdoor excursions. This development consists of 950 homes south of Washington, DC off Interstate 95, with Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter train station within the community. Visit http://www.lortonstation.info/amenities_main.asp for additional information regarding Lorton Station.
Amenities
100 Acre Stream Valley - Joseph Plaskett Park
In the North section of the community lies an existing 100-acre Stream Valley Park. In 1999 the park was dedicated to the founder of Lorton, Joseph Plaskett. This park consists of a wooded walking / biking trail that extends through both ends of the park and the Pohick River which winds its way through the community.
Community Pools
Two outdoor swimming pools, sundecks and bath facilities, located in the North and South sections of the community.
Community Recreation Center
Located at the North pool and is the location where committee and board meetings occur. The clubhouse was designed to resemble a train station and provides a warm, rich setting for small parties and gatherings. The rental fee is $350.
Lorton VRE Station
Lorton Station has its very own Virginia Railway Express (VRE) train stop. This convenience makes Lorton Station a very desireable community. The station is minutes from any of the community's homes and offers direct access to Washington DC and Metrorail. For information regarding the VRE, please visit: http://www.vre.org/
Tot Lots
There are three tot lots within the community.
Other local amenities include the nearby marinas on the Occoquan and Potomac rivers, several local and state parks, recreation facilities, museums, shopping malls, outlet centers, and fine arts and cultural foundations. This neighborhood is located in one of the nation’s top school districts (FCPS).
For other inquiries regarding the community, please contact:
Lorton Station Community Association
9050 Lorton Station Boulevard
Lorton VA 22079
Tel: (703) 339-3824
Fax (703) 339-3825
The Mason Neck Conservation Committee was formed in 1965 after two bald eagle nests were spotted. The committee, concerned about impending development on the peninsula, recommended part of the area to be used as a site for a state park. In August 1967 the commonwealth began purchasing land parcels from The Nature Conservancy.
Mason Neck
Mason Neck State Park is on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The park attracts migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including tundra swans, herons, assorted species of duck and bald eagles. The park consists of several hundred acres of hardwood forests. Several wetland areas are also found at Mason Neck State Park.
The park is in southern Fairfax County, about 20 miles from Washington, D.C. Access to the park is via U.S. 1. From northern Virginia the drive time is approximately 30 minutes from Washington, D.C., 45 minutes; Tidewater/Norfolk/Virginia Beach, three hours; Richmond, one and a half hours; Roanoke, four hours.
Mason Neck is a day use park and has no overnight facilities.
Mason Neck offers hiking, biking and self-guided trails. Four miles of unpaved hiking trails and three miles of paved multi-use trails wind through the park providing a glimpse of nature by the bay. Elevated walkways allow visitors to explore some of the marsh areas in the park. Ten bicycles are available for rent by the hour.
Fresh and brackish water fishing are available, however, you must have a valid Virginia or Maryland fishing license. There are no facilities for boat launching via trailer. From April through October, kayaks and canoes are available for rent, an hour or all day, to explore Belmont Bay or Kane's Creek - a great way to see eagles.
Other attractions the park offers include: hunting, festivals, workshops, a visitor center.
The park's environmental education center has a gift shop with park-oriented merchandise and souvenirs. Educational programs include pond study, bird-watching, canoe trips, active volunteer program, night hikes, teacher workshops, hands-on experiential educational opportunities, and evening programs.
Programs include:
Your Backyard Classrooms program is a 40-activity curriculum guide for K-12 teachers
Junior Rangers: Junior Rangers is a day-long program for children 7 to 10. It offers hands-on environmental education that covers stewardship and strong conservation, recreation and protection ethics. Several sessions with varying themes are held each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Wee Rangers: Wee Rangers is a two-hour program for children 4 to 6 with accompanying adults. It’s a fun, hands-on introduction to the natural world. Several sessions with varying themes are offered each summer. Contact the park for dates and fees.
Accessibility include: Picnic area with handicapped accessible restroom facility; fully accessible playground; six handicap parking spaces; a fully accessible paved hiking trail.
For more information about Mason Neck State Park,contact (703) 339-2385 or (703) 339-2380 (visitor center); email [email protected]
Lake Ridge Park features a golf course, mini golf course and a marina to the public including arts and crafts, nature, science and scout programs for everyone. Other activities offered at Lake Ridge Park are fishing, boating and hiking while picnics can be held in rented tents and picnic tables.
Boating is launched into the Occoquan Reservoir where fishing is permitted at the deepest end. Boats and canoes can be rented at Lake Ridge Park with bait being sold on site.
Golfing is enjoyed at the 9 hole course and miniature course with membership and training offered.
Lake Ridge Park
12350 Cotton Mill Drive,
Woodbridge, VA 22192
Julie J. Metz Wetland Bank
15875 Neabsco Road
Woodbridge VA 22191
Contact Number: 703 792 6666
Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank offers 227 acres of preserved forested, shrub scrub and emergent wetlands of adventure with an array of wildlife with homes in the marshy areas, situated on the borders of Neabsco Road and Neabsco Creek, just 24 miles south of Washington D.C. A variety of bird species can be seen at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank throughout the summer till winter.
During the time when John Smith had mapped out Neabsco Creek in 1608 , the surrounding land was of tobacco farming and lumbering. Being the first wetlands bank approved by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers in Northern Virginia, Julie J.
Metz Wetlands Bank was named after an environmental scientist, Julie J. Metz.
Sightings of great blue herons, wood ducks, mallards, sparrow, red winged blackbirds, gulls, woodpeckers and hawks in Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank are sought after by visitors along with the views of the river banks. Summer features a large number of songbirds and winter sends an array of grass birds to the grassy and dry area of the wetland. A wood chip and boardwalk nature trail with looping paths provide visitors convenient bird watching at Julie J. Metz Wetlands Bank.
Ben Lomond Regional Park
7500 Ben Lomond Drive
Manassas, VA 20109
Contact Number: 703 361 4451
Ben Lomond Regional Park offers excitement and an array of activities for everyone including their 11 acre Splash Down Water Park situated between Old Town Manassas and Manassas National Battlefield including other expansions and upgrades.
The Splash Down Water Park features 5 water areas with 2 4 story water slides, children water slides, lazy river, boat slide, lap pool and zero entry depth beach area including water raindrops and bubblers and pavilions. The trail found at Ben Lomond Regional Park offer suitable hiking – walking path along Bull Run.
Ben Lomond Regional Park provides a variety of facilities to enjoy :
Updated Soccer Fields
Softball Field
Tennis Courts
Sand Volleyball
Horseshoes
Playground
Picnic Areas
Hiking Trails
While Ben Lomond Regional Park provides fun filled activities, the nearby restaurants can provide nourishment after a long day of fun.
Great American Buffet at 8365 Sudley Road, Manassas 20109 that serves homemade dishes and baked goods.
Red Lobster at 7505 Broken Branch Lane in Manassas 20109 that serves their seafood specialty.
Taste Buds at 10421 Balls Ford Road in Manassas 20109 that serves traditional breakfast and lunch meals.
