It's still a mystery how to enter the trail, but this is such a beautiful neighbourhood park that…read moreis easy to navigate. After parking in the lot off Melville Ln, we basically walked through a small forest to get on to the trail at the back of one of the baseball fields. Soon came a creek with stepping stones over it, then the real fun began. Clearly parking is no issue here, and this park has more than one entry point. All in all though, the trails are flat and either paved or easy on the feet, and there's more than one bridge and some benches along the trail. I appreciate this green space being maintained and available to the community.

As a DC resident who has a reactive dog, this was a fantastic trail not far from DC and wasn't…read morecrowded. Probably saw a handful other dogs but everyone had their dogs leashed and paths were wide enough to avoid any confrontations. Everyone was very friendly and respectful and the trail was adjacent to a slow flowing creek. It was a very pleasant walk/jog that does go by several suburby neighborhoods but all in all, very enjoyable path.

Park is isolated behind a school. Very peaceful and even has some walking trails. Lots of random…read morefoot traffic through the trails which I think is t smart due to a school being literally connected via the trails. But my 4 year old and I have a blast! 2 play areas, plenty of trees, tennis, volleyball area, picnic area, and plenty of parking!

This is nice little park that is maintained by the City of Fairfax off of Jermantown Road. You…read morewouldn't know it's there as it is tucked away between a school, office buildings and a neighborhood. The best way to access the park is from Jermantown Road. There is plenty of parking space in the lot. The park has a single tennis court, open field, picnic pavilion, volleyball court, swing set, playground, a community garden and a shaded walking/running trail. The park is kept fairly clean and I've never seen it get too busy. I mainly use this park to run/walk on my lunch break during the work week. The trail is a simple wooded figure eight trail that is about a third of a mile in length. It has a fine gravel with a very flat grade so it's an ideal trail for a walk or run. Throughout the trail are various benches to sit on. The playground is nice and large, plus there is a swing set nearby. Both have standard mulch around them. The tennis and volleyball courts are in good condition, although there is only one of each. There is a community garden that people can pay for plots to grow their own veggies, herbs and plants. The garden does have a limit so make sure you reserve it in advance. More info can be found here: http://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/parks-recreation/parks/community-garden There are portable bathrooms nearby and I've never had to use them so I have no idea if they're in good condition or not. This park suits my needs and I think if more people knew it was there they'd use it. *This park is gun carry friendly.

This place is a great place to fish. It's free to get into the park. Lots of parking and nice…read morepeople. It has bluegill, largemouth Bass, crappies, walleye fish that are in the water to catch. Good luck everyone.

Breath taking view. So peaceful and tranquil. You can borrow a boat or canoe. Would love to revisit.read more

Great location, and a solid park overall…read more I was hanging around in Falls Church today. This park caught my eye, and I said why not, let's check it out. Word of warning. Narrow turn into the road that leads to the lot for the park. When using Google Maps it seems to direct you a bit further in the main road. Ignore that; make a left when your gut tells you it feels right to. I came around 5 in the evening and the sun was to set soon. So I parked real fast in the semi-vacant lot, skimmed over the play area at front and made a beeline to the nature trail entrance toward the left side. Suffice it to say, never a dull day. Not disappointed to say the least. Walk was long and varied. My first time at this park so I just let my shoes do the walking. Went up the grassy knoll straight ahead, but further in to the side trail on left it gets too muddy. I didn't bring my hiking boots, so I said phooey to that, and surrendered that notion without further ado. Long winding roads down a passing nature trail. I remember crossing a small bridge, and that led into a view of stepping platforms overlooking a river or trial. I hopped on those circular blocks and made it over to the other side with ease. Grand tour of the place and then led into a quaint residential neighborhood. Whilst it was nice, the day was winding down so I had to wave adieu. Back again and a brisk re-hop of the circular land pieces, made sure not to trip or fall into water. Crossed the bridge back. Saw some folks on the way and they were just chilling and passing by. I walked into new and divergent paths that branched out and broke off to new frontiers. I would've loved to follow that trail of cheese down a ways, but alas had to head back. I got lost briefly and that owes to my being green and newcomer and going down too many paths; it's like getting spun around and then asked to point the way. I had Google directions on, so I found my way to the lot eventually after all. Not sure if I caught the sunset, but if not maybe next time. I was just rushed as I had to be somewhere before 6. So I couldn't even stay the hour. But overall, great park and trails. Nothing earth shattering mind you, but a solid and worthwhile nature retreat if ever there was one. I'll definitely swing by at least once again, it seems a good spot as any to bring a dog or pet on the walk!

It's nothing special, as it's a neighborhood park. If not mistaken, I believe either spies/traitors…read moreAlrich Ames or Robert Hanssen committed acts of espionage here during the Cold War. It's not far from DC in Fairfax County. This park has become fairly popular, due to sports fields. Parking is a real issue. Weekdays are when it's most relaxing. This is when I tend to go, but no matter day, it's worth a visit if close by. The hiking trail works for walkers of all ages and abilities. In the autumn season, quite good picture opportunities. It's amazing how you can feel away from the nearby beltway. The playground is fairly basic, but little ones will appreciate it. There's also a baseball field and basketball hoops. This offers a little bit of everything for all. It's a clean place to go and chill a bit.

Draper Drive Park is fairly well hidden. It's a left or right quickly, but it's at the halfway…read morepoint of the street named that. I find it irritating, that you can hear noise from the close auto body shops in the area. Then again living in the condos would be even more frustrating. This park is in a industrial area, but does have some good attributes. Soccer players will love the fields. They are high quality. As for the grounds, they are well maintained. Lots of nice maple trees. Was enjoyable today, due to the leaves changing colors. There is a small playground little kids will like. Also there are two canopies for picnics. They have portable bathrooms here, which can vary in cleanliness. All in all a okay park.

this is a great park with a nice playground. It has swings, monkeybars, spinning things, and…read moreslides. its kind of tucked away but I didn't feel like it was sketchy at all. The soccer field next to it looks to be well maintained and well used. The negative thing was the stinky porta-potty toilets right next to the swings.

Came here with a group for kayaking. Only they ran out of kayaks before noon. So some of us had to…read morerent standup paddle boards instead. There is a slightly more expensive pricing for folks not residing in Fairfax, Loudon, Alexandria, or Arlington counties. But they don't really verify...so as long as you put down an address within those counties on your waiver, then you are good to go. See my pics for the pricing as of Aug 2023. The Sat I came, they seemed very short staffed with only two people managing the rental payments and forms and then another 2 manning all the boats/boards. So we pretty much ended up having to launch and bring back our vessels ourselves. They have very limited 2 person kayaks and they require kids under 12 to be in a boat with another adult so be prepared. In addition to kayaks they have jon boats and stand up paddle boards. You can bring your own vessel but there are launch prices. The lake is quite large so 1 hour is still not enough to explore its entirety even if you were powering through. The boat rental process is this: 1) Each person needs to fill out a waiver (just one page), you need to keep the yellow paper on you and return it when you come back. 2) Payments can be done per person or by group and they accept Apple Pay 3) Go down to the dock, hand them your form 4) They will tell you which vessel you can pick and hand you life vests and paddle(s) 5) Go have fun 6) Return the vessel 7) Bring back the yellow form to the rental house Not sure why we need to keep a piece of paper on us while out on the water. I've rented boats in many other places and all they needed was the vessel back. I guess to prevent theft...but they log the number assigned to the vessel on the form prior to you renting so...But at least there isn't an entrance fee to this park and there isn't really much else to do besides activities around the water front. There is a trail that leads to Bull Run, but there isn't say a playground, picnic area, or sports fields. Parking is pretty limited but you can park along the side of the road.

One of my dogs favorite hiking spots. The bike trails are good too, although this park is nestled…read moreway out of suburban NOVA areas like FFX.

Ratliffe Park is a great little park tucked away in the heart of Fairfax City…read more There is a playground for both toddlers and elementary school age kids, giant saucer swing, animal totem pole, and artfully arranged tree trunks that kids can practice their jumping skills on. My children are especially fond of all of the fresh mulch to play with (eye roll). There is a covered picnic area which would make this spot perfect for birthday parties as well as lots of green grass to run around. I find it a little bit more quiet and more well-maintained than nearby Van Dyck Park which can get kind of crazy if you have tiny littles like me.

A nice park by old town Fairfax. Right off of Sager Avenue, there's a decent field here. This is…read moregood for throwing a baseball or football around. Also the basketball courts are pretty sweet. I like the amount of open space here, plus the trees mixed in, for a bit of a relaxing view. Parking is a cinch, as I just park on Sager. If you have little kids, there's even more. The playground is quite extensive. They will also like the swings. A clean park, and a safe place away from big streets to. It's a fine place for families to go. This usually isn't too busy either, so people who like a laid back spot, might be enamored by this. There are some gardens and flowers too.

This is a park that we regularly walk through. It has a basketball court, tennis courts, plus…read morecouple of baseball yards. There are grills, playground for kids, water stream and plenty of open field. The other side of the park is a long walk among the trees. It was recently paved with asphalt and became a lot less muddier to walk or bike.

What a large area to walk or jog. This is a fine place to get a workout in, but there's one major…read moreproblem. Cell phone service. Every carrier I've had or seen, doesn't want to work here, for who knows what reason. Chance favors the prepared, so just letting other folks know of this. With that being said a nice basketball court. While tall not my best endeavor, but sometimes good for a pickup game. There's a few playgrounds for little ones. These are okay, but nothing award winning. Admission is free, so parents of kids 0 to 8 or so will like that. Also there's a little trail that snakes it's way through the park. The picnic area is alright, and can be a spot to relax some. Parking is always a cinch.