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TextHidden Pond Nature Center
Congratulations to the Hidden Pond Nature Center Envirothon team for winning second place at the state competition!
Listen: Welcome to Hidden Pond Nature Center
Acres of undisturbed woodland, quiet trails, splashing streams and a tranquil pond are just a few of the reasons to visit Hidden Pond Nature Center. Tucked away in Springfield, Hidden Pond is a neighborhood haven filled with wondrous things. Hidden Pond, at 25 acres, lies adjacent to the much larger Pohick Stream Valley Park which boasts over 700 acres. A new 2000-foot trail and bridge has connected the two parks, so that many more neighbors and guests can visit the Hidden Pond Nature Center as well as the pond, streams, wetlands, woods and other quiet places that these preserves have to offer.
| Normal Hours Weekdays |
Normal Hours Weekends |
Winter Hours* Weekdays |
Winter Hours* Weekends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9-5, closed Tuesdays | 12-5 | 11-4, closed Tuesdays | 11-4 |
| *Winter Hours = December, January, February >>> HOLIDAY HOURS | |||
The nature center, which is accessible to everyone, features exhibits and live displays which orient you to the park and the natural world of Fairfax County. In addition, the center has a small sales area featuring books and other items for the nature enthusiast and nature study areas for group visitors. Complementing the nature center are stream side and woodland walking trails, a self-guided nature trail and a one-acre pond. The park also features lighted tennis courts and a children's play area.
The nature center staff offers programs for school, youth and scout groups, community organizations and the general public. Activities include guided walks, field trips, workshops, demonstrations and special request programs by reservation on a variety of topics.
Changes at Hidden Pond
If you haven’t been to Hidden Pond Nature Center recently, you may be surprised by what you see. There are major changes to the center’s entrance. When the center was built in 1978, two misjudgments were made that needed correction. An undersized trail to the front door quickly proved inadequate for the number of visitors at the center, and two white pine trees were planted in front of the building.
It became apparent that a paved staging area was necessary due to heavy visitor traffic that trampled the turf, compacted the soil and made turf maintenance in the area impossible. The white pines were a bad idea in Northern Virginia’s climate, where they quickly grow and then die young, requiring removal before they fall on something important.
So, the pines have been removed, which was inevitable, as has a large red maple that had extensive storm damage. A small, attractive courtyard with a seating wall has been installed, and the landscape is being restored with more appropriate trees and shrubs. The patio is constructed with an environmentally-friendly porous pavement that absorbs water into the soil to prevent runoff. A one and a-quarter inch rainfall hit the nature center three days after the courtyard was completed, and it worked perfectly.
Drop by Hidden Pond, see the new look, then head inside the building or out to the woods to see the natural joys this park provides and protects in the middle of Springfield.
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