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Franconia Family Recreation Area

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Welcome to the Family Recreation Area at Franconia Park, adjacent to Franconia Rec Center. This area is home to Our Special Harbor; Chessie’s Trail and Big Backyard, a fully accessible recreation area for EVERYONE to enjoy; and Carousel!

Our Special Harbor

Check out the 2026 hours listed under Franconia Rec Center.

Our Special Harbor is a fully accessible Chesapeake-Bay themed spray park that is perfect for a hot summer day! This family-friendly park has fun features including computerized water mazes, water buckets, and a spraying osprey nest. We also have a quieter beach area where younger children can play with soft bubblers and interactive water tables. We invite ALL to come enjoy Our Special Harbor!

This is a first come, first-served facility. Because of this, be prepared to wait in line. Our maximum capacity is 247 people, if we reach this capacity, a line will form until people exit the facility to make room.

General Admission is FREE for all guests; however, there is a fee for any group reservations of 10 or more participants (chaperones included). The cost is $7 each for Fairfax County residents and $12 each for Non-County residents. Please click here for more information on the rules and group reservations.

Summer Fun for All in the Water: Sensory Friendly Schedule

Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes individuals and families who need spaces with reduced sensory input to attend a sensory friendly time at our water parks and splash pad. Experience limited capacity, reduced sounds (louder water features are turned off) and staff trained to respond to children with special needs.

Our Special Harbor

Wednesdays, June 24-August 19, 10-11 a.m.

Carousel

The carousel has a Chesapeake Bay theme with animals such as a turtle, frog, hummingbird and swan, in addition to traditional horses. Get ready to take a ride on the carousel that allows children of all abilities to go round and round, side by side, because children who use wheelchairs are able to transfer to a bench and move vertically, rather than riding in a fixed position.

Carousel fee: $4 per person, Monday-Friday; $5 per person, Saturday, Sunday and holidays
After-Hour/Season Rental Fee (Per Hour)* $ 100

*The after-hour/season hourly rental fee is applied in addition to the established per person ride fee for rentals occurring during non-operating hours/season.

Purchase Your Carousel Tickets

Chessie’s Trail

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.

Are you looking to reserve a space at Franconia Park?

Chessie's Big Backyard Shelters & Treehouse
These popular playground-area shelters are available for reservation year-round. Due to high demand, we recommend booking early.
Leonadus K. Plenty Amphitheater
Ideal for performances and gatherings.
Sand Volleyball Courts
Perfect for recreational play and group events.
Seasonal Canopy & Picnic Area (near the Rec Center)
A great spot for outdoor celebrations during warmer months.

To reserve any of these outdoor facilities, please visit our Franconia Park Reservable Areas page.

Picnic Webpage

Are you looking to reserve the carousel?

Carousel fee: $4 per person, Monday-Friday; $5 per person, Saturday, Sunday and holidays
After-Hour/Season Rental Fee (Per Hour)* $ 100

*The after-hour/season hourly rental fee is applied in addition to the established per person ride fee for rentals occurring during non-operating hours/season.
Please contact FCPAFRCRentals@fairfaxcounty.gov to request.

The actions and conduct of organized groups are the responsibility of the group leaders. Misconduct of individuals may result in dismissal of the group. Groups must adhere to all facility rules.
A group is 10 or more people associated with a particular family, school, church, daycare, martial arts or any other commercial business. All commercial groups must make a reservation.
You must complete a Reservation Contract and make appropriate payment for each separate reservation date and time. Reservation Contract should be submitted via email to FCPAFRCRentals@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Reservation may take up to 3-5 business days to process and does not guarantee security of desired timeslot or date. The reservation is not confirmed without a Reservation Contract and full payment.
Each reservation time slot cannot exceed 75 people. Groups will be sharing space with the public.
Groups are not permitted to stay more than one timeslot unless it is scheduled and paid for in advance.
Groups must provide one chaperone for every eight children in the group.
Each person from the group must pay the appropriate fee. Groups are not permitted to 'cycle' participants to avoid paying the usage fee for each person.
The fee ($7 Fairfax County resident, $12 non-county resident) is for both children and adults, including chaperones.
Refunds will not be given for groups that bring fewer participants than their original reservation request.
- Groups wanting to bring additional participants must request by email a minimum of 3 days before the reservation date. Requests will be accommodated depending upon reservation capacity.
Payments are non-refundable. However, full or partial refunds will be considered on a case-by-case basis for the following:
- Weather - Thunder, lightning, heavy rain, tornado, hurricanes
- Utilities - Loss of water or power
- Misc. - Bomb threats, earthquakes, or other unforeseen interruptions to the operation.
No food or drink, except for water in non-glass containers, is permitted in the spray ground.
Changing facilities are limited. Group participants should arrive dressed for the spray ground and departure should be planned accordingly.

Failure to obey the rules or the directions of staff or behaving in a manner that adversely affects customer safety and comfort may result in removal from the park.
Children 10 years old and under MUST be supervised at ALL times by a guardian 16 years or older.
Running, climbing on any equipment, pushing and other dangerous conduct is prohibited.
Food, drink, or chewing gum is prohibited. Water is allowed but in a NON-GLASS container.
Smoking, vaping, drugs and alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
No pets allowed. Service dogs may be permitted but they should be wearing their service vest and must stay off the splash pad.
When at capacity, if you leave you will have to get back in line in order to reenter.
No blocking bathrooms, pump room doors, or emergency exits.
Inflatable beach balls and sponge balls are allowed in the spray ground during uncrowded periods and at the discretion of the aquatic supervisor or manager on duty. No water guns allowed. Further items are subject to approval by the aquatic supervisor or manager on duty
Persons with skin infections, open wounds, ear or nasal discharge, diarrhea or communicable disease are not permitted.
In the event of bad weather, the spray ground area must be vacated immediately. In the event of an electrical storm the facility will be evacuated, and customers should seek the safety of their cars.
Infants/children not toilet trained and incontinent adults must wear swim diapers under their bathing suits. Cloth and disposable diapers are prohibited.
Health code prohibits changing of diapers on deck. Please use respective facilities.

Lock in your preferred timeslot with a reservation and say hello to seamless entry! Your party will receive wristbands upon arrival, letting you breeze right in. Plus, enjoy the flexibility of coming and going as you like within your reserved time.

Reservations for each summer season will begin April 1 and are processed on a first come, first serve basis. To reserve, please email FCPAFRCRENTALS@fairfaxcounty.gov.

May 24 - June 13 (Non -reservable dates: May 24-25), 2025

Weekdays
- 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.*
  *For commercial groups only
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
- 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

June 14 - August 17 (Non-reservable dates: June 19, July 4-6), 2025

Weekdays
- 9:30 a.m. - 11am**
  **For commercial groups only – not available Wednesdays for sensory-friendly hour
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m.- 5 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
- 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

August 18 - September 1 (Non-reservable dates: August 30-September 1), 2025

Weekdays
- Closed 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.*
  *For commercial groups only
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
- 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m.
- 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Franconia Rec Center

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