Parks

Local, regional, state and national parks are all around us. One family made a hobby of trying to locate and visit all except the small "neighborhood" ones, later claiming it was as happy a project as they had ever undertaken together. Here is some useful information.

Fairfax County Park Authority ((601**), 324-8700, owns more than 16,000 acres of park land with more than 350 parks, which range from the small neighborhood parks like Washington Mill Park next to the elementary school to the indoor "RECenters" ((607** and see below) to sports facilities, nature centers ((608**), and even a railroad. To learn about the hundreds of organized activities in these parks see RECREATIONAL SERVICES.

Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority ((604**), 352-5900, is a separate organization which runs over 20 parks and properties including Pohick Bay Park, Occoquan Park, Cameron Run, Washington & Old Dominion Railroad and Carlyle House.

State Park information, call 1-800-933-PARK (1-800-933-7275)

George Washington Community RECenter, 8426 Old Mount Vernon Road, 780-8894. Swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts, picnic table with barbecue pit.

Mount Vernon RECenter, next to Martha Washington Library at the corner of Fort Hunt Road and Belleview Boulevard, 768-3224. Year-round ice skating rink and swimming pool.

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Gunston Road (Route 242), Mason Neck. Year round golf, boat launching, storage, nature trails, bridle path, picnic areas (352-5900 to reserve shelters) and camp ground. Seasonal outdoor pool (339-6102), miniature golf, marina (339-6100) with rowboat and sunfish rentals. Golf course (339-8585), 18 holes with driving range, pro shop, snack bar, located one mile before you get to main park. Campground (339-6104 reservations) for up to 7 days, up to 7 persons per site, with laundry, camp store and bathhouses.

Mason Neck State Park, 7301 Highpoint Road, off Gunston Road (Route 242), Mason Neck, 550-0960. Park open daily 8:00 am to dusk, year-round. Visitor Center (550-0362) hours vary, open by 10:00 am to approximately 6:00 pm year round.

Leesylvania State Park, 16236 Neabsco Road (Route 610), Woodbridge, 670-0372. Picnic areas. Hiking. Car-top boat launch (not power boats). Bald eagles.

Cameron Run Regional Park, 3699 Eisenhower Avenue, 960-0767. Swimming pool with water slides and wave machine open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Fishing pond, miniature golf, batting cage with pitching machine open mid-March to late October.

Jones Point Park, 1 Lee Street, Alexandria. Fishing.