Area parks open in Northern Virginia

By Patricia Hall, Fairfax Family Fun

Good news, Northern Virginia! We are returning to normalcy (albeit slowly) and some things are starting to reopening. As the governor’s office announced yesterday, Northern Virginia is entering Phase 1 of the reopening plan during the coronavirus pandemic. As of Friday, May 29, 2020, several park systems are re-opening — but only partially, and with many restrictions in place. Hopefully we will move through the next phases quickly so kids can enjoy these great natural resources during the summer, since already so much (water parks, camps, and local pools) have announced their closure for the entire season.

As we move through subsequent phases, we will update this page. For now, here is a list of the area parks open now in Northern Virginia. Please note that playgrounds and many other amenities will remain close through Phase 1. But at least now you can play certain sports; enjoy a leisurely walk, hike, or bike ride on a trail; have a picnic; and play on the grass with kids (run, catch or kick a ball, etc.). Please also remember that this information will change rapidly — before heading out, consult the official websites (we’ve provided links for your convenience) to get the latest news and operational status.

NORTHERN VIRGINIA PARK AMENITIES OPEN IN PHASE ONE

Fairfax County Park Authority

County system with 427 parks and 325 miles of trails on 23,000 acres of land
https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/

All parks open; parking lots open.
Playgrounds are closed.
Mini golf courses are closed.
Trails, athletic fields, tennis courts, golf courses, marinas, and other recreational areas (fishing, open park spaces, skate parks, and outdoor equestrian rings) are open.
Outdoor picnic areas and shelters are open (groups must have 10 people or less).
Campgrounds are open.
Restrooms are closed in most places, but open at Lake Fairfax, Burke Lake, Lake Accotink, Riverbend, and Frying Pan Farm.
Dog parks are closed.
Summer concerts and shows are cancelled.
Water parks and splash pads are closed.
Face coverings are required indoors (such as at golf course clubhouses).
See details of the operating status of specific amenities on the park authority website (and this FAQ PDF file).

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks)

Regional system of 31 parks in Arlington, Fairfax, and Loudoun counties plus the cities of Alexandria, Falls Church, and Fairfax
https://www.novaparks.com

All parks open.
Trails, golf, mini-golf, batting cages, marinas, and boat rentals are open.
Campgrounds are open.
Meadowlark Gardens is open.
Brickmakers Cafe is open.
Playgrounds are closed.
Restrooms are closed.
Picnic shelters are closed.
Water parks are closed.
See details on other policies and the status of operations.

City of Fairfax Parks and Recreation

City park system with 25 parks and 28 miles of trails on 258 acres
https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation

All regular parks and trails are open.
Historic sites (such as Blenheim) are closed.
Pickleball courts, tennis courts
Basketball and volleyball courts, and the skate park, are closed.
Dog parks are open (no more than 10 people at a time).
Playgrounds are closed.
All events through July are closed.
See details on all amenities and policies.

Arlington County Parks and Recreation

County-run system of 148 parks, nature centers, and recreational facilities
https://parks.arlingtonva.us

Trails and open park spaces are open.
Athletic fields and batting cages are closed
The skate park is closed.
Picnic shelters are closed.
Playgrounds are closed.
Dog parks are closed.
Spray grounds are closed.
All restrooms are closed.
See the county’s current park policies.

City of Alexandria Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities

City-run system of more than 900 acres of parks, public spaces, and recreation centers
https://www.alexandriava.gov/Recreation

Parks, trails, and paths are open.
Playgrounds are closed.
Picnic shelters are closed.
Sports courts are closed.
Dog parks are closed.
Restrooms are closed.
City marina open only to slip holders.
Nature and recreation centers are closed.
Outdoor pools are closed (set to open in Phase Two).
See the anticipated activities through Phase Three.

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services

Network of 40 parks and recreational facilities in Loudoun County
https://www.loudoun.gov/4119/Parks-Recreation-Community-Services

Park grounds and trails are open.
Fishing, canoeing, and kayaking areopen where permitted.
Playgrounds are closed.
Tennis and pickleball courts are open.
Picnic pavilions are closed
Community centers are closed.
All restrooms are closed.
Outdoor pools are closed in Phase One (scheduled to open in Phase Two).
See the latest operating status and plans for activities through Phase Three.

Prince William County Parks and Recreation

County system of more than 50 parks, two water parks, plus a marina, and fitness and community centers
https://www.pwcgov.org/government/dept/park/Pages/default.aspx

All trails are open (including the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk).
Boat launch at Lake Ridge Park open to boat owners only (no rentals).
Restrooms are closed.
Playgrounds are closed.
Outdoor pools and water parks are closed.
Historic sites are closed.
The dog park is closed.
Skate park and athletic facilities are closed.
See the latest park system operating status.

Virginia State Parks

State system of 38 parks with camping, 500 miles of trails, and access to Virginia’s major waterway (state parks in Northern Virginia include Mason Neck in Lorton, Leesylvania in Woodbridge, and Sky Meadows in Delaplane)
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/
Trails are open (walking, hiking, biking, and equestrian use)

Fishing piers and boat ramps are open.
Picnic tables and grills are open (for groups of 10 or less); picnic shelters are closed.
Restrooms are open.
Lakefront beaches are closed.
Campsites are open, cabins are closed.
Playgrounds are closed.
Pools are closed
Visitor centers are closed.
See the state park system’s Covid updates.

U.S. National Parks

National park system with 419 areas covering more than 85 million acres in every state and beyond; U.S. parks in Northern Virginia include Great Falls Park, Manassas National Battlefield, Wolf Trap, and, further out, Shenandoah National Park
https://www.nps.gov/index.htm

Trails and overlooks are open.
Visitor centers are closed.
Campgrounds are closed.
Restrooms are open at Great Falls Park but NOT at Manassas Battlefield (and limited at Shenandoah)
Read more about national parks and find one close to you.

City of Falls Church Recreations and Parks Department

Fourteen parks in “The Little City.”
https://www.fallschurchva.gov/511/Parks

City parks are open.
The community center is closed.
Read about the latest operating status.

Town of Vienna

Municipal system of 13 town-managed parks in Fairfax County.
https://www.viennava.gov/index.aspx?NID=67
No details provided.

Town of Clifton

Two parks in this small, historic town in Fairfax County.
http://clifton-va.com/index
No details provided.

Photo (c) P. Hall