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Back to Nature in Fairfax County Virginia

By
Real Estate Agent with Integrity Real Estate Group

Pohick Park Even when the weather is chilly there isn't any reason not to get outside and explore all of the great parks and recreation activities that you can find in Fairfax County, Virginia.

Though your week may include commuting on crowded interstates, metro rides or slug lines, the weekend gives you the perfect opportunity to take in the solitude of many of our areas parks.  Whether you are looking for one of the parks run by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, the National Park Service or the Department of the Interior you can find a park and outdoor activity to enjoy.

 

 

Mason Neck State ParkThree major parks on the Mason Neck Peninsula are a perfect example of both the variety of parks and the cooperation of nature conservation groups in Fairfax County.  The Mason Neck area traces its history back to 1608 when it was recording by John Smith that he meet with the native Dogue Indians and charted the local area.  When George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights built his home in the area in 1755 the name was changed from Doeg Neck to Mason's Neck.

 

Visitors Center at Mason NeckFor most of the 1800's and early into the 1900's the area was used for logging of the native hardwoods and much of the land was ripe for development due to its waterfront location.  The discovery of a pair of nesting bald eagles in 1965 put a halt to most of the planned development of the area and instead a committee was formed of local citizens to purchase some of the land that now makes up the Mason Neck State Park.  Eventually local, state and federal agencies stepped up with funds and over 2000 acres were set aside as both a Wildlife Refugee and State Park.

The park is a National Wildlife Refuge and when you stop by the visitors center you will learn more about the variety of birds, including the bald eagles that you will find througout the area.  The playground overlooking the water is a treat for children, there is a 3 mile bike path through the woods and plenty of trails to explore. 



Pohick Bay ParkJust down the road is Pohick Regional Park run by the Northern Virginia Park Authority.  This park is one of only three Northern Virginia public access points for the Potomac River.  If a power boats aren't your thing then you can rent a canoe, kayak or paddle boat and head down one of the quiet tributaries off of the river.  Pohick Park is a full service park with no only the boat launch facilities but also an 18 hole golf course, a miniature golf course, playground and numerous picnic areasPohick Bay Park

Pohick Park is one of the few local parks that has rustic cabins available for rent as well as campgrounds for tent campers.  As part of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority residents of the county can also buy annual pool passes which can be used at any of the other NVRPA pools in the summer as well.   The park shelters an abundance of wildlife, including bald eagles.  As you are wandering through the numerous paths in the park you can expect to see osprey, heron, deer, beavers and occasional a rare view of a river otters.

 

 

 

 

wild burrosThe last park on the Mason Neck Peninsula you may want to spend some time in is the Meadowood Recreation Center run by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management.  The 800 acre site has numerous well marked trails for hikers to follow throughout the area.  Also on this site of a wild horse and burro rescue and adoption facility.  Based on the number of free range wild horses or burros that the Department of the Interior captures in any year some are brought to the Meadowood facility and are put up for adoption.  Adoption requires that families meet stringent requirements and one year after the wild horse has been adopted and certified by a veterinarian to have been well cared for you will receive official "title" to your horse.

 

 

Best Park Sign

This is quick tour of one set of parks that you can find in Fairfax County, Virginia.  If you are moving to Northern Virginia and would like to learn more about the area, give me a call.  As a native of the area I can give you a tour  not only a new place to call home but other areas of interest for you and your family.

 

 

 

 

 

All of these parks are off Gunston Road in Fairfax County.  To reach them take I95 S, exit 163 to Lorton. Left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp. Go under second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St.  Go about 1.5 mile to traffic light at RT. 1.  Go straight through light (road name changes to Gunston Rd) and you will see the various park directional signs on Gunston Road.

©2008. All Rights Reserved. Cindy Jones
Wild Burro Photo From BLM Adoption Site 
All others original photos by Cindy Jones

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cindy Jones

As an Associate Broker with RE/MAX Allegiance in Northern Virginia and native of the area I can assist you whether you are buying, selling or renting a home anywhere in Northern Virginia. For more information about the area or my services you can check VaRealEstateTalk or my Northern Virginia website.

Search all homes available in the Northern Virginia area.

 

 

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                                   Real People*Real Lives*Real Estate

If you are interested in learning more about the Northern Virginia Real Estate market including Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William Counties give Cindy Jones and Integrity Real Estate Group a call at 703-346-2213.

Military Relocation Specialist serving military families relocating to and from the Pentagon, Fort Belvoir, Quantico MCB and all of the Military District of Washington installations. 

Military Relocation Professional


Check out www.varealestatetalk.com and www.cjrealtygroup.com for more information.

Integrity Real Estate Group
 
Real People*Real Life*Real Estate

Licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia



 

 

Comments (15)

Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital
I'm sitting at my desk looking out the window at a battleship gray sky and wishing for a warm sunny day to check out parks!
Jan 27, 2008 11:23 PM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
It was cold a crisp this weekend wandering around the parks.  A couple of the Mason Neck trails were fairly packed with other cold weather fans.   Today doesn't look like a day that would inspire any of us to get out of fuzzy slippers!
Jan 27, 2008 11:49 PM
Christina Williams. REALTOR® TN property search & local insights
First Realty Company - Crossville, TN
Really good job on this Cindy. Love the pics and the donkeys.
Jan 28, 2008 12:01 AM
Vicki Burton
Southport Realty-Southport, North Carolina - Southport, NC
A local Buyer's Agent - Southport NC Real Estate
Hi Cindy, This is a great blog with lots of useful information. I enjoyed reading about it. As long as you bundle up, winter is a wonderful time to enjoy area parks. An no crowds!
Jan 28, 2008 12:02 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Christina-When I was at the adoption facility yesterday all of the horses were wearing their blankets.  But at least they are being fed and taken care of.
Jan 28, 2008 01:09 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Vicki-I love the parks in the winter.  You see so many different things that are overlooked when you are pushed by the crowds in the summer.
Jan 28, 2008 01:10 AM
Julie Neerings~Lifting Hearts ♥ Building Dreams~
Agent Referral - Salt Lake City, UT
Cindy~What a great mix of parks in your area. Pohick Regional Park looks to be a great place to hang out for the day and it offers so much for everybody.  Thank YOU for sharing your beautiful parks with us. 
Jan 28, 2008 02:58 AM
M A
Boston, MA

Cindy,

Beautiful pictures.  I really love your part of the country!!

Jan 28, 2008 03:00 AM
Kathy Passarette
Creative Home Expressions - Mount Sinai, NY
L.I. Staging/Decorating

Cindy ~ I think it's wonderful that there are so many parks to visit in your area.  They probably make a great de-stressor after a busy week of work, commuting and life in general.

Jan 28, 2008 03:39 AM
Kevin McGrath
Long & Foster Real Estate Companies- Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania - Fredericksburg, VA
Long & Foster Real Estate Companies
I think it is interesting. We used to see signs - "Don't Fairfax Loudoun". Well, I look around, and to me it looks like Fairfax has done a pretty good job. Lots of parks, lots of jobs, a pretty darn good police department.
Jan 28, 2008 06:03 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Julie-thanks for wandering by.  Pohick is great for the entire family to enjoy and when the weather is warmer I'll be launching the kayak.
Jan 28, 2008 11:41 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Martin-remember if you come to visit you have to call!
Jan 28, 2008 11:42 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
Kevin-fortunately there are a few places that the developers didn't get to. 
Jan 28, 2008 11:44 AM
Karen Cooper
Karen Cooper | Sr Mortgage Loan Originator ! NMLS # 223305 | First Federal Bank of Florida, Ocala, FL - The Villages, FL
Helping Homeowners w/Home Loans in 27 US States
Cindy - Looks like a great park. The wild burros remind me of the ones we had in Big Bear, California that used to wander through the neighborhoods of this mountain community, and gnaw on the side of my house! That herd wandered free, though, mostly on the outskirts of town. Good luck in the contest.
Jan 28, 2008 03:14 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Very informative post.  Love the donkey picture!

Jan 29, 2008 11:04 AM