The Fairfax County Park Authority is joining the Virginia Recreation and Parks Society and parks and recreation agencies across the state to encourage everyone to “Play All Day” in celebration of the summer solstice on June 20. You’re invited to explore new parks and participate in a variety of fun, free activities during the longest day of the year. Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:
- Stay cool! Visit Our Special Harbor Sprayground at Franconia Rec Center, a fully accessible Chesapeake-Bay themed sprayground with fun features, including a spraying osprey nest, misting sunflowers, a lighthouse, a beach area which offers quieter fun and interactive water tables, and a computerized water maze. You can also make a splash at the Martin Luther King Jr. Pool, which features two slides and a children’s wading pool.
- Explore nature and history at one of our nature centers or historic properties. At Frying Pan Farm Park, find something for everyone with a 1920s-era carousel, country store, a farmhouse, farm animals and hiking trails. At Green Spring Gardens, explore a wooded stream valley with ponds, a naturalistic native plant garden, more than 20 thematic demonstration gardens, a greenhouse, a plant shop, two gift shops and a historic house.
- Use FCPA’s Park Amenity Locator to enjoy or find a playground, park, trail or court near you! Click the “filter” button at the bottom of the map and select the features you are looking for!
- Flex your investigative skills with our FREE Fairfax County Puzzle Hunt. In partnership with the Fairfax County Public Schools and Solving Fun, the hunt runs June to Sept. 1. Collaborate with friends and family to solve puzzles. The puzzles will be available to download and print by visiting the Solving Fun website. Enter each puzzle answer on the website. Each individual puzzle will lead you to a clue within one of our parks.
Organized by the Virginia Recreation & Park Society, Play All Day VA aims to promote the importance of play for all ages, abilities and interests through local parks and free or discounted recreational programming. For more information, visit the Park Authority’s Play All Day website.