Calendar of Events at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park!

Please call 703-631-0013 for more information about any activities or events at the park, or to make reservations.

May Events

2 Friday
Warblers of Westmoreland
(Adults), 7am-5pm. In spring migrating warblers and other songbirds are numerous along the southern edge of the Potomac River. Visit Westmoreland State Park and George Washington's birthplace. Bring a bag lunch and binoculars. Wear sturdy walking shoes. Some moderate-level walking. Van leaves from Packard Center in Annandale District Park. Reservations and advanced payment required by 4/24. $25

3 Saturday
Breakfast with the Birds
(10 yrs. and up), 8-10:30am. Enjoy bagels, donuts, fruit, coffee and juice. Then observe and hear colorful spring migrant and resident songbirds and other species on a two mile, naturalist-led hike through varied park habitats. Bring binoculars and field guides. Canceled if heavy rain. Reservations required. $2/person

3 Saturday
Copperheads and Black Racers!
(12 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head out into the outback of the park searching, capturing, identifying and releasing snakes. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of our native snakes. Reservations required. $5

5 Monday NEW
Nature Snoopers - Rabbits
(5-6 yr. olds in all-day kindergarten), 2:30-3:30pm. Learn about rabbits during the indoor session and activity. Then venture outdoors for short hike in search of rabbit food and habitat. Reservations required. $4

6 Tuesday
Bird Hike
(12 yrs. and up), 8:30-10am. Reservations required. FREE

6 Tuesday
Dog Hike
(10 yrs. and up), 9-10:30am. Reservations required. FREE

9 Friday
Shorebirds on Delaware Bay
(Adults), 7am-7pm. Journey to the tidal marshes of the Delaware Bay at the peak of migration to view shorebirds, waterfowl, eagles and many other birds feasting on horseshoe crab eggs. Bring a bag lunch and binoculars. Van leaves from Packard Center in Annandale District Park. Reservations and advanced payment required by 5/1. $30

12 Monday
Explorers - Rabbits
(6-7 yrs.), 2:30-3:30pm. (SEE 5/5.) Reservations required. $4

18 Sunday
Indian Skills for Scouts
(8 yrs. and up), 1-2:30pm. (SEE Scouts.) Reservations and advanced payment required by 5/13. $6/person

19 Monday
Junior Naturalists - Rabbits
(8-11 yrs.), 2:30-3:30pm, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Walney, 703-631-0013. (SEE 5/5.) Reservations required. $4

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June Events

Kids’ Korner
(3-5 yrs.), Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Walney, 703-631-0013. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history once a month, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. No older siblings please; space is limited. No Kids’ Korner in July and August. Reservations required. $5/Kids’ Korner child

Dragonflies at Walney Pond (June only)
Monday (9:30-10:30am): 2
Wednesday (9:30-10:30am): 4
Wednesday (1-2pm): 4
Thursday (1-2pm): 5 or 12
Friday (9:30-10:30am): 13

1 Sunday
Long-tailed Salamander Excursion
10am-1pm. Meet at Hemlock Overlook in Clifton, VA to look for long-tailed and three-lined salamanders. Help with a salamander survey to monitor these disappearing species. Reservations required. Directions provided. $10/family

2 Monday
Nature Snoopers, Explorers – Dragonflies
(5-7 yrs. who have completed kindergarten), 2:30-3:30pm, Walney Pond. Watch a costumed volunteer turn into a beautiful dragonfly. Scoop out small critters from the edge of the pond; identify dragonfly and damselfly nymphs and make a dragonfly craft. Reservations required. $4

3 Tuesday
Bird Hike
(12 yrs. and up), 8:30-10am. Walk the park’s woodlands and fields with a naturalist in search of resident and migratory bird species. Bring binoculars and field guides. Dress for the weather. Reservations required. FREE

Dog Hike
(10 yrs. and up), 9-10:30am. Join a naturalist and her dog on a hike designed for you and your canine. Discover different trails through the park and the responsibilities of being a dog walker in the park. Become aware of some outdoor dangers to your dog. Dogs may not be on a retractable leash. Owners must come equipped with bags. Reservations required. FREE

8 Sunday
Honey Harvest
2-3pm. Professional beekeeper Dane Hannum opens an active beehive, and you can enjoy a taste of comb honey harvested the old-fashioned way. Children perform a “bee dance” and imitate the chores of the queen, drones and worker bees. Reservations required. $1/person, 2 yrs. and younger FREE

9 Monday
Jr. Naturalists - Dragonflies
(8-11 yrs.), 2:30-3:30pm, Walney Pond. (SEE 6/2.) Reservations required. $4

18 Wednesday
Evening Explorations: Civil War Walney
7:30-8:30pm. Uniformed re-enactors in period attire share what life was like during the Civil War. Soldiers conduct rifle firing demonstrations, discuss equipment and answer your questions. Reservations required. FREE

25 Wednesday
Evening Explorations: All about Worms
7-8pm. Take a close look at our slimy friend the earthworm. Search under logs and leaf litter, around trees, and near Walney Creek. Find out why worms are so important to the plants and animals, and eat a worm -- a Gummi Worm, that is. Reservations and advanced payment required by 6/24. $1

29 Sunday
Copperheads
(8 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head out into one of the Park Authority’s newest properties to search for, capture, identify and release snakes. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of our native snakes. Reservations and advanced payment required by 6/20. $5

July Events

6 Sunday
Queen and King Snakes
(8 yrs. and up), 9-10:30am.
Walk waterways in search of queen and king snakes. Learn about these two unique species while having fun. Soft shell crayfish is on the queen snake’s diet, and the queen snake is on the king snake’s diet. Wear shoes that can get wet. Reservations and advanced payment required by 6/27. $5

9 Wednesday
Evening Exploration: Reptile Campfire
(Families), 8-9pm. Join a naturalist for a night hike to learn about our native reptiles that become nocturnal during the warmer months. Gather ’round a campfire for a story, roast marshmallows and make s’mores. Reservations and advance payment by 7/1. $10/family

12 Saturday
Sears House - Behind the Scenes
(Adults), 10am-noon. In the early twentieth century you could buy a house kit from the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog and build it yourself. In 1934 the Spindle family built a Brentwood model in nearby Centreville. Experience the restoration of the Spindle Sears house with a power point at Walney Visitor Center, then caravan to the Spindle house for a tour of the structure and grounds. Restoration project manager Michael Rierson leads the tour. Reservations and payment required by 7/5. $5

16 Wednesday
Evening Explorations: Night Creek Walk
(Families), 8-9 pm, Cabell’s Mill. Explore Big Rocky Run at night! When the park shuts down nocturnal animals come out. Try to locate and identify these nocturnal critters. Bring flashlights and wear hiking shoes. FREE

19 Saturday
Green Tree Frog Excursion
10am-2pm. Meet at Mason Neck State Park to look for green tree frogs. Learn about these awesome amphibians and find out why some scientists believe they can predict weather. Reservation and advanced payment required by 7/18. Directions provided. $10/family

22 Tuesday
Northern Water Snakes
(8 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head out into the outback of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to search for and capture water snakes. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of this aggressive but misunderstood snake. Wear shoes that can get wet. Reservations and advanced payment required by 7/18. $5

27 Sunday
Turtles
(Families), 10-11am.Walney Pond. Meet a naturalist at Walney pond to learn about native turtles. See turtles close up and then search for them at Walney Pond. Reservations and advanced payment required by 7/24. $10/family

August Events

9 Saturday
Stream Stroll along Cub Run
9-11am. Stroll four miles along Cub Run and experience natural and cultural history hot spots in this unique stream valley. Be entertained by stories while enjoying low impact outdoor exercise. Directions provided. Reservations and payment required by 8/5. $2

12 Tuesday
Snake Search
(8 yrs. and up), 9-11am. Assist a naturalist with a reptile survey. Head out into the outback of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to search for, capture, identify and release reptiles. Learn the habits and preferred habitats of our native snakes. Reservations and advanced payment required by 8/8. $5

13 Wednesday
Evening Explorations: Bats
8-9pm. Watch a slide show and discover echolocation, migration, hibernation and the characteristics of our local bats. Using bat detectors, locate bats searching for night-flying insects. Children try on bat wings, make a craft and play a bat game. Reservations required. $1/person

17 Sunday
Lizards
(Families), 10-11am. Watch a short movie on native lizards and see some of them up close. Then join a naturalist on a short hike to find some of these elusive reptiles. Reservations and advanced payment by 8/13. $10/family

17 Sunday
Meadow Wildflower Walk
9:30-11:30am. Walk with a naturalist at the Park Authority’s Hunter-Hacor tract in western Fairfax County and view late summer and fall wildflowers. Dry and wet meadows harbor spectacular plants such as milkweeds, bush clovers, goldenrods, hawkweeds and others, plus butterflies, dragonflies and other insects. Wear long pants and hiking shoes for uneven terrain. Bring field guides and binoculars. Reservations required. $5

20 Wednesday
Evening Explorations: SSSnakes!
7-8pm. Observe live local snakes up close, and see them eat their weekly meal! Learn about a local snake that is venomous and why snakes can be good to have around. Pet a snake if you choose, and participate in snake games and activities. Reservations required. FREE