Summer is definitely in full swing in The ‘Burg! Everywhere we look people are fully embracing the season - walking downtown with an ice-cream cone, going on day trips, spending lazy afternoons at the pool, and the list goes on! One of our favorite ways to spend a summer morning is playing at a local park before it gets too hot. Here are some of our favorites. 

Top Ten Favorite Local Parks

 

1Kenmore Park (aka: Memorial Park) is located in Downtown Fredericksburg. If you play tennis, this is the park for you! It's equipped with 2 unlighted tennis courts and 6 tennis courts that are lighted from dusk - 10 pm throughout the year. It also has a tennis practice wall, basketball court, youth soccer field, children´s play equipment, and a toddler play area. We love that it's located within walking distance to the City Dog Park and the Canal Path. Stroller Striders meets here as well.

2Old Mill Park is another great Downtown park. It has a soccer field, restrooms, playground equipment, picnic shelters, and river views. It's located right along the Rappahannock River which means it does tend to flood easily, so if we've had a heavy downpour check to see if it's open before heading out. If it's summertime, bring a little extra cash for the ice-cream truck.

3Alum Springs Park is a hidden gem and is perfect for hot summer days. It is wooded, has a fitness trail, a renovated picnic shelter, picnic tables, restrooms, grills, play equipment, walking paths. Best part? The creek kids can spash and play in.

4Loriella Park is located in Spotsylvania County, off of Levells Rd. It has a public pool, baseball small diamond, 2.9 miles of wooded trails, a shaded playground with infant swings, lighted tennis courts, disc golf course, a covered picnic area located next to the playground, restrooms, and even a soda machine.

5John Lee Pratt Park Memorial Park is located right behind the Massad Family YMCA, in Stafford, Va. Pratt Park features a one mile track, four tennis courts, two basketball courts, softball and soccer fields; camping facilities available for Scout groups. There's also a disc golf course that's popular among residents and visitors.

6Patriot Park is another park connected to a YMCA. This one is located right behind the Ron Rosner YMCA... and it's huge. It has baseball small diamonds, baseball large diamonds, basketball outdoor courts, a 3.1 mile fitness trail, multi-purpose fields, an amphitheater, restrooms, a large enclosed playground with infant swings, and a covered picnic area with restrooms.

7Hurkamp Park is a major social hub in Fredericksburg. It hosts the Farmer's Market, Art In The Park, Music In The Park, and many more events. It's even a pick up spot for Relay Foods! Come by anytime and see what's going on, kick around a ball, and have a picnic.

8Motts Run Resevoir , a 860-acre natural area, including the 160-acre reservoir, is a haven for fishing, canoeing, hiking, and picnicking. It also serves the residents of Fredericksburg and parts of Spotsylvania County with drinking water. You may bring your own boat to launch on the lake, or fish from the banks.The park features an orienteering course, nature center (open weekend afternoons only), over 4 miles of hiking trails, picnic tables and grills, and jon boat, canoe, and kayak rentals.

9Maury Playground is a simple playground in Downtown Fredericksburg. It has an open play area, basketball court, and playground equipment.

10Westmoreland State Park. Okay, so this park technically not "close" to town, but we didn't want to leave out the King George families! The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River, and its 1,299 acres neighbor the former homes of both George Washington and Robert E. Lee. The park’s Horsehead Cliffs provide visitors with a spectacular view of the Potomac River. It's a perfect place to take the family hiking, fishing, boating, and camping.

 

written by, bRENDA SAPANGHILA

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