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Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Fairfax County, Virginia

CONTACT INFORMATION: Walney Visitor Center hours: Mon & Wed-Fri 9-5pm and Sat-Sun 12-5pm. Closed Tuesdays. The park's trails, picnic tables and grounds are open dawn to dusk.

703-631-0013
TTY 711

Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov

5040 Walney Road
Chantilly, Virginia

John Shafer,
Manager

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Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Birthday Parties

NOTICE: Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center Construction Begins

Active construction is anticipated to be completed by early 2023. Residents should expect occasional construction traffic entering and exiting the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park/Cabell’s Mill entrance. The park is located at 5235 Walney Road in Centerville, VA.

A logo that says Parties in the Park

 

Spend time outside and celebrate your child’s special day with a Wild, History or Campfire Birthday Party for anyone ages four to 12.

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park also has a Picnic Shelter, Amphitheater and Cabell's Mill available for rent.

Please call Walney Visitor Center at 703-631-0013 for information.

Reservations & Refunds

  • Reservations
  • Refunds

Wild and History Parties

  • Held at the pavilion with five picnic tables, access to a refrigerator, outside outlets and a sink.
  • All set up, decorating and clean up needs to be completed during this time.

Campfire Parties

  • Held at the campfire ring behind the Walney Visitor Center, with three picnic tables and three benches.
  • Restrooms are available inside the visitor center.

Wild Birthday Parties

  • Available Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. or 2 – 5 p.m.
  • Ages: 4 – 8
  • Price: $225
  • Maximum attendees: 20 children and 1 adult per child
  • Included: take home craft to reflect your theme
  • Not included: decorations, food and drink

Wild Birthday Party Themes

Reptiles and Amphibians Party

Learn about the life cycles of amphibians and reptiles. Take a hike to explore where they live with a stop at the visitor center to see them up close. 

Insect Investigation Party

Find out what characteristics bees, butterflies, ants and dragonflies share as insects. Choose your favorite bug for a theme and we will hike the yard and trails looking for them. 

Birds in your Backyard Party

Use your eyes and ears to see the colors and hear the songs of the birds around us. Look through binoculars to see them up close on a hike. Learn what birds eat. 

Into the Wilds Party

Discover the native wild animals that share the park with us. Take a wildlife adventure hike to explore their habitats. How many can you find? Hike will end at the visitor center to meet our display animals. 

Dinosaur Dig Party

Become a junior paleontologist and examine real fossil casts. Explore dinosaurs by digging for puzzle pieces to build a dinosaur and play fun games.

History Birthday Parties 

  • Available Saturdays and Sundays 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. or 2 – 5 p.m.
  • Ages: 4 – 8
  • Price $250
  • Maximum attendees: 20 children and 1 adult per child
  • Included: supplies for history activities
  • Not included: decorations, food and drink

History Birthday Party Themes

Light the Way – candle making

Early Americans, like the Brown and Machen families at Walney, made candles to extend the day. Learn the ingredients that make candles and dip one for yourself to take home.

Sweet History – ice cream making

History never tasted so sweet! Learn what life was like in the 1850s when the Machens lived here. Hike to the 1850s icehouse and race back carrying blocks of ice. Then explore the dairy where milk was stored. End your sweet and special day making your own vanilla ice cream.

Campfire Birthday Parties

  • Available Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings, 5 – 8 p.m.
  • Ages 8 – 12   
  • Price: $250
  • Maximum attendees: 12 children and 1 adult per child
  • Included: hotdogs (turkey), buns and condiments for 12 children (only)
  • Not included: decorations, drinks and desserts
  • Please note: 
    • These parties are held entirely outdoors.
    • Party planners may bring additional food items, such as marshmallows to roast and drinks.
    • Please keep an eye on all children around the fire. The fire will be tended by site staff only.
    • Party guests should wear sturdy, close-toed shoes suitable for a trail hike and dress for the weather.     
    • Bring flashlights. 
       

Campfire Birthday Party Themes

Native Americans at Night

Gather around the campfire to learn about the importance of the campfire to Native American families. Find out what forests provided for their daily living. Then return to the campfire to cook turkey hot dogs.

Nocturnal Animals

As day turns into night, owls, bats and moths are some of our nocturnal creatures flying through the night skies. See if you can see or hear them on a night hike. Then return to the campfire to cook turkey hot dogs.

Soldier for a Day

Learn about our soldiers of the past. Explore the tools and skills that help a solider survive around the campfire. Practice drilling and marching. Then return to the campfire to cook turkey hot dogs.

Rental Use

  • All decorating, setup and cleanup must be completed within the scheduled party time.
  • Refrigerator space is available for use by party guests.
  • Indoor classroom space is for the naturalist-led program portion of parties only and may not be decorated. Exceptions for indoor use may be made at the naturalist's discretion during inclement weather.
  • All decorations and signs must be removed completely at party’s end, including tape, strings and ribbon.
  • Decorations and signs may not be stapled, tacked or nailed to park property, signs or trees. Helium balloons are discouraged.
  • Balloons are not permitted to be released.
  • There is no vehicular access to party locations. Supplies and gifts must be transported from the parking lot at Walney Visitor Center.
  • Grills and barbecues, DJs, moon bounces, petting zoos, pony rides and amplified sound/music are prohibited.
  • Carry out your trash when you leave. There are no dumpsters at Walney Visitor Center.
  • All Fairfax County Park Authority rules and regulations apply.
a bunch of kids and two instructors look at reptiles from a bridge
several kids take turns making candles while an instructor helps
a staff member shows off a bearded dragon
a trail and a pond covered in lily pads
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