Potomac News Online | Parks and recreation areas

For fun and recreation, Prince William County’s parks provide a range of family activities. From swimming to skating to softball, there are parks all over, with something for every interest.

PRINCE WILLIAM PARKS

Besides the golf courses and a recreation center, the Prince William County Park Authority runs boating areas, water parks, swimming pools, picnic pavilions, gyms and historic sites. It also offers special events throughout the year.

Staff and volunteers teach courses in canoeing, dog obedience, yoga, scuba diving, art, fitness, martial arts, swimming, skating, dance and other activities at the various parks. Parks also offer day camps to county youths of all ages.

The agency owns or maintains 55 parks encompassing nearly 3,000 acres, including several community-oriented parks within walking distance of neighborhoods.

The county’s two water parks are among its most popular sites.

? Splashdown Waterpark opened in 1996 at Ben Lomond Park, just off Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas. The park has a “lazy river,” water slides, a children’s pool, picnic pavilions that are available for group rental and a lap-swimming pool for those who enjoy traditional water activity.

Splashdown charges admission for all who enter, except children under age 2. Admission prices as well as park hours vary throughout the season. Call (703) 361-4451 for information.

? Waterworks opened in 1991 at Andrew Leitch Regional Park, 5301 Dale Blvd., Dale City. The park includes water slides, water toys, sprinklers and a kiddie pool.

Call (703) 680-7137 for admission prices, park hours and additional information. Family passes and group discounts are available.

Other Park Authority-run facilities are:

? The Chinn Aquatics and Fitness Center, 13025 Chinn Park Drive, off Prince William Parkway, offers an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a recreational pool, a large gymnasium, racquetball courts, day-care facilities, weight rooms, aerobics rooms, a sauna, whirlpools and a youth lounge.

Long-term passes to the center are available, as well as daily rates. Call (703) 730-1051.

The Chinn Regional Park, in which the center is located, also offers soccer fields, hiking trails and a picnic pavilion, as well as the Chinn Regional Library.

?The Dale City Recreation Center, 14300 Minnieville Road, offers a 25-meter indoor pool, gynasium, racquetball court, day-care facilities, cardio weight room, game room and 6-room annex available for rental. On the grounds there are also picnic facilities, a batting cage and two Little League fields. For more information, call (703) 670-7112.

? Brentsville Historic Recreation Area is on 18 acres at 12249 Bristow Road.

Facilities include the historic former county courthouse, a jail house and an old one-room school, as well as two baseball and softball fields, a soccer field, a picnic area and a nature trail. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Prince William County Recreational Complex, 7 County Complex Court between Woodbridge and Manassas, is behind the McCoart Administration Center. Call (703) 590-2311.

Formerly known as Davis Ford Park, it is home to the Potomac Cannons Class A professional baseball team, which plays its home games at G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium.

Many local baseball teams use the stadium when the Cannons are away.

Softball leagues also call the complex home, playing nightly on four lighted fields.

? Veterans Memorial Regional Park, a 107-acre park, is at 14300 Featherstone Road in Woodbridge.

This park features softball fields, lighted tennis courts, a public swimming pool and water slide, a community center and indoor gym, ball fields, soccer and football fields, horseshoe pits, a creek-side nature trail, three covered picnic areas, lighted outdoor basketball courts and the Scott D. Eagles Memorial Skateboard Park.

The park is open year-round, but its pool operates only from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call (703) 491-2183.

? Howison Homestead Soccer Complex is at 14716 Minnieville Road in Dale City.

Three lighted soccer fields, a playground and two picnic pavilions make up this park. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Cloverdale Community Park, 15150 Cloverdale Road, was once owned by Hylton Enterprises, the company that developed Dale City. This park is home to many recreation leagues. The facilities include three softball fields, three soccer/football fields, two tennis courts, an outdoor basketball court, picnic pavilions and a playground. Call (703) 491-2183.

? Andrew Leitch Regional Park, 5301 Dale Blvd. in Dale City, offers a playground, lighted softball, baseball and soccer fields and two picnic shelters in addition to the Waterworks water park. Call (703) 680-7137.

? George Helwig Regional Park, 14418 Bristow Road in Independent Hill, is the home of the Park Authority. The facility also has eleven soccer fields, fitness trails, a mini library, three tennis courts, picnic tables and one picnic pavilion. Call (703) 720-7060.

? Ben Lomond Regional Park, 7500 Ben Lomond Park Drive in Sudley, has 240 acres and is one of the most developed recreational sites in western Prince William, featuring the Splashdown Waterpark and fields for baseball, softball, football and soccer. Lighted tennis courts, a nature trail, a basketball court, a playground and picnic tables are also available. Call (703) 361-4451.

? Ben Lomond Community Center, 10501 Copeland Drive in Manassas, is two miles from Ben Lomond Park and offers classes ranging from dance and physical fitness to arts and crafts.

Resembling a dairy barn, the center has rooms that may be reserved for group meetings. It is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. It is closed Sundays. Call (703) 361-7126.

? Ben Lomond Manor House, 10311 Sudley Manor Drive across the street from the Ben Lomond Community Center, was built in 1837 and is believed to have once served as a hospital for Civil War soldiers. The site boasts historical programming and house tours.

It is available for rental for outdoor functions. Call (703) 367-7872.

? James S. Long Regional Park, 4603 James Madison Highway (U.S. 15) in Haymarket, is within sight of Bull Run Mountain in western Prince William. This park offers six soccer fields, three baseball fields, three picnic shelters, four tennis courts, an equestrian ring, two basketball courts and a playground. The Gainesville Mini Library is also located within the park land. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Lancaster Community Park, 13800 Pop Moubry Place in Woodbridge, features two basketball courts, a volleyball court, a playground, a picnic pavilion, two horseshoe pits and a sled run. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Birchdale Recreation Area, 14730 Birchdale Ave. in Dale City, is a 12.8-acre site that includes a community center, two Little League fields, two unlighted tennis courts, a swimming pool, a playground, picnic shelters and two outdoor basketball courts. Call (703) 670-9118.

? Nokesville Community Park, 12560 Aden Road in Nokesville, offers visitors two baseball fields, a playground, a volleyball court, an equestrian ring, a concession building and a shelter. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Ellis L. Barron Neighborhood Park, 7625 Aaron Lane in Sudley, has two tennis courts, a volleyball court, basketball courts, picnic shelters, a playground and a nature trail. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Brittany Neighborhood Park, 4100 Exeter Drive in Dumfries, features two tennis courts, a basketball court, a volleyball court, a playground and a picnic pavilion. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Harry W. Dawson Park, 13206 Hillendale Drive in Woodbridge, has a playground, nature trail, and picnic area. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Fairmont Park, 9801 Fairmont Ave. in Manassas, has four softball fields, and a playground. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Hammill Mill Neighborhood Park, 1721 Carter Lane in Woodbridge, features a swimming pool, picnic shelters, playground, volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a basketball court. Call (703) 491-1074.

? Hylbrook Neighborhood Park, 2430 Longview Drive, across from Fred Lynn Middle School in Woodbridge, features two Little League baseball fields and a concession stand. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Independent Hill Community Park, 14811 Dumfries Road, has four Little League baseball fields and a concession stand. Call (703) 792-7060 for information.

? John D. Jenkins Neighborhood Park, 13499 Hillendale Drive in Dale City, features a playground, basketball court, pedestrian trails, tennis courts and a picnic area. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Keystone Park, 13310 Old Delaney Road in Dale City, has a playground, an open play area and a picnic pavilion. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Marumsco Acre Lake Neighborhood Park, 14398 Melbourne Ave. in Woodbridge, is a small park containing an 11-acre lake with horseshoe pits, picnic shelter, two unlighted tennis courts, hiking trails and an outdoor basketball court. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Anne Moncure Wall Community Park, 4450 Waterway Drive in Dumfries, features two basketball and tennis courts, a playground, two baseball/Little League fields, nature trails and picnic pavilions. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Occoquan Park, 1270 Poplar Lane in Occoquan, has two tennis courts, playground and picnic pavilion. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Joseph D. Reading Neighborhood Park, 8460 Maplewood Drive north of Manassas, features tennis and basketball courts, a picnic area, a playground and a pedestrian trail. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Rippon Landing Park, 15125 Blackburn Road in Woodbridge, includes one volleyball court, two horseshoe pits, a picnic pavilion, a playground and a nature trail. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Rosemont-Lewis Park, 11000 Crestwood Drive near Manassas, has a playground, a pedestrian trail, a tennis court and a basketball court, and a picnic pavilion. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Riverbend Neighborhood Park, 13529 Fitzhugh Lane in Woodbridge, is a neighborhood park with horseshoe and volleyball facilities, basketball courts, a picnic area and a playground. Call (703) 792-7060.

? C. Lacey Compton Neighborhood Park, 17301 River Ridge Blvd. in Woodbridge, is the Park Authority’s newest park. It offers a playground, picnic pavilion, inline staking rink and skating trail. Call (703) 792-7060.

? Graham Park Pool, 3605 Graham Park Road in Dumfries, is located behind Graham Park Middle School. The pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For more information and admission prices, call (703) 792-7060.

? Lake Ridge Marina and Golf Course, 12371 Cotton Mill Drive in Lake Ridge, offers a 9-hole, par 3 course that specializes in youth instruction. Facilities also include a marina area with boat rentals, a miniature golf course, day camp facilities, a volleyball court, playground, picnic facilities, a nature trail and horseshose pit. Call (703) 494-5564 for more information.

? Locust Shade Regional Park, 4701 Locust Shade Drive in Triangle, is right off Route 1 and adjacent to the planned Marine Corps Heritage Center. The 292-acre park features a golf driving range, batting cages, a 18-hole miniature golf course, six tennis courts, a volleyball court, three playgrounds and picnic shelters. The park also boats an 8-acre lake with marina and boating facilities and a 400-seat amphitheater. For more information, call (703) 221-8579.

? Mayhew Sports Complex, 9901 Balls Ford Road in Manassas, has three football fields. Call (703) 792-7060.

? The Park Authority also owns an ice rink facility at 5180 Dale Blvd. The facility, currently leased and operated by Skate Quest, includes two large rinks with concessions, rentals and sales. Call (703) 780-8423 for more information.

? Valley View Park, 11930 Valley View Drive in Nokesville, is a 125 acre multi-field complex featuring softball and soccer fields. A concession building is under construction. Call (703) 792-7060.

For more information about the Prince William Park Authority or its many programs, call (703) 792-PARK (7275) or visit the Web site at?http://www.pwcparks.org.

DUMFRIES

Garrison Park, off U.S. 1 in Dumfries behind the Town Hall, is named after longtime Dumfries resident Cecil W.Garrison. The small park, which backs up to Quantico Creek, has two pavilions, 10 picnic tables, an outdoor basketball court, a grassy field, a playground and two Little League baseball fields.

MANASSAS

Visitors can enjoy basketball, tennis, playgrounds, picnic facilities and other activities at the city’s other parks: Baldwin Park near Osbourn High School off Prince William Street, Byrd Park in the Point of Woods subdivision, Dean Park on Wellington Road, and Nelson Park at Sudley Road and Grant Avenue.

For more information about city recreation programs or park facilities, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (703) 257-8237 or visit?http://www.manassascity.org.

MANASSAS PARK

The small city runs its own water park, Signal Bay Waterpark, on Signal View Drive. The park has a buccaneer theme, with three water slides, a lazy river and a pool designed like a beach, with a graduated entrance. The park also includes a wilderness fort, softball fields, playgrounds, historic areas and more.

Admission prices vary according to day, time and age of the customer. For park hours and more information, call (703) 335-8874.

Manassas Park also manages Costello Park, off Colburn Drive. For more information, call (703) 361-0124.

STATE FACILITIES

The Commonwealth of Virginia maintains two outdoor areas within the borders of Prince William County.

? Leesylvania State Park, at 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Drive near the Pilot House restaurant, features a boat launching and storage facilities, a nature trail, a history trail, picnic areas, guided hikes, canoe trips, a park store that sells gas for boats and food and an extensive shoreline on the Potomac River.

The park also recently opened a fishing pier and a visitor’s center, which details the natural and cultural history of the area.

There are fees for entering the park, storing and launching a boat. For more information, call (703) 670-0372.

? Conway Robinson State Forest is off U.S. 29, west of Manassas National Battlefield Park and beside the Oak Park Motel.

This 400-acre state forest is known for its spring wild flowers and is a popular spot for horseback riding and mountain biking. Admission is free. For more information, call (540) 347-6358 or visit the state forestry department’s Web site at?http://www.vdof.org/

NATIONAL PARKS

? Wedged between Quantico Marine Corps base and the Dumfries-Montclair area, Prince William Forest Park is an escape for those who like to spend their time in the great outdoors.

On 18,000 forested acres, the park is the third largest National Park Service unit in Virginia and the largest park of any kind in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

The park is open dawn to dusk. The Visitors Center is open 8:30 a.m.to 5 p.m. daily but is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The main entrance is on Joplin Road, just west of the Interstate 95 exit for Triangle and Quantico. Admission is $5 per car for a three-day pass, or $3 per person on foot or bicycle. An annual pass, good for a year from the time purchased, costs $20.

For further information on Prince William Forest Park, call (703) 221-7181.

? The 5,000-plus acre Manassas National Battlefield Park attracts more than 868,000 visitors a year.

The aim here is to preserve and protect the historical resources. Recreation is sec-ondary. The park is a fine place for a long walk to enjoy both nature and history. The park grounds are open from dawn to dusk.

Stuart’s Hill Center, opened in 2000 at the intersection of U.S. 29 and Pageland Lane near the site where Gen. Robert E. Lee set up his headquarters in August 1862, is devoted to the battle of Second Manassas and includes paintings and other interpretative exhibits about that battle.

The park’s entrance fee is collected on an honor system at the Visitors Center. The fee is $3 for each person 17 and over. An additional $3 must be paid by patron who wish to watch the privately produced “End of Innocence,” a film chronicling the battles of First and Second Manassas. Children under 17 are free, and adults 62 and over have the option of purchasing a “Golden Age” pass that will get them into every National Park for the rest of their lives for an one-time charge of $10.

For more information, call (703) 361-1339 or visit?http://www.nps.gov/mana.