703-922-9841
TTY 711
Kimeshia Junkins,
Operations Manager
Welcome to the Family Recreation Area at Franconia Park, home to Our Special Harbor and Chessie’s Big Backyard, a fully accessible recreation area for EVERYONE to enjoy!
If you like running through the sprinkler, you’ll love Our Special Harbor. This fully accessible Chesapeake-Bay themed sprayground has fun features including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. The beach area is quieter with softer bubblers and interactive water tables. The computerized water maze and dumping crab basket provide more lively activity.
For safety, children (15 years and younger) enjoying the spray park, MUST wear aquatic shoes or sandals with a manufactured back strap at all times; non-standing, non-mobile, babies are exempt; adults may wear flip-flops instead of aquatic shoes or sandals with a manufactured back strap. Street shoes are NOT PERMITTED in the sprayground.
General Admission is free for families; however there is a daily fee for each participant and chaperone for commercial or nonprofit groups. $5 for Fairfax County residents, $10 for Non-County residents. Space is limited for commercial/nonprofit groups.
Commercial and Non-profit groups will be accepted on a walk-up basis, no advanced reservations will be accepted this season. Group size cannot exceed more than 10% of current capacity.
| Dates | Days | Times |
|---|---|---|
| May 27 - June 16 | Saturday, Sunday & Holidays | 9:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. |
| June 17 - Aug 18 | Daily | |
| 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesdays | ||
| 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri | ||
| 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat/Sun/Holidays | ||
| Aug 19 - Sept 4 | Saturday, Sunday & Holidays Only | 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. |
This 2,160-foot trail is designed for children of all abilities with features that appeal to the senses. Visit the sound garden, play with spinning rocks, stroll the boardwalk or rest in the unique nest seating area. Along the way, encounter all kinds of wildlife figures representing animals indigenous to the Chesapeake Bay region.
The playground at Chessie’s Big Backyard is fully accessible to all children with padded rubber floor surface and lots of features to crawl through, climb over and ramps wide enough for wheelchair access as well. Children can enjoy slides, swings, and other specially designed equipment with access for all.
