Health & Fitness

NoVA Waterparks Closed For Summer; Status Of Parks, Pools

Here are the latest updates on popular outdoor spots as phase one of reopening begins for Northern Virginia.

Parks around Northern Virginia are open to visitors, but certain amenities may remain closed.
Parks around Northern Virginia are open to visitors, but certain amenities may remain closed. (Emily Leayman/Patch)

VIRGINIA — With phase one reopening underway in Northern Virginia on Friday, many parks have reopened to visitors with limits on amenities. One feature that won't open this summer will be regional water parks.

Nova Parks announced its five water parks won't operate in summer 2020. That includes Great Waves Waterpark in Alexandria, Ocean Dunes Waterpark in Arlington, Atlantis Waterpark in Centreville, Pirate's Cove Waterpark in Lorton and Volcano Island Waterpark in Sterling. Nova Parks' summer camps will also not run in summer 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and Prince William County Parks & Recreation also announced closures of their pools and water parks for the 2020 season.

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Under the state's phase one guidance, hot tubs, spas, splash pads, spray pools, interactive play features, and pool area seating must be closed. Outdoor pools may only be open for lap swimming with one person per lane. Guidelines and a start date for phase two have not been announced.

Residents have various other options for outdoor recreation around the region. Here's the status of federal, state and local parks as well as outdoor water attractions in or near Northern Virginia:

Find out what's happening in Burkewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nova Parks: The regional park system opened all parks as of May 29. This includes boat launches, trails, golf courses, boat rentals, batting cages, mini golf, cabins and camping. Unavailable features include waterparks, summer camps, picnic shelters, playgrounds and many restrooms. Waterparks will not open for the summer 2020 season. Amenities may have limited hours during this phase of reopening. Check individual parks for hours.

Great Falls Park: The national park reopened its parking lot on May 23 to increase visitor access. Fee collections are temporarily suspended. Trails and restrooms are open, but the visitor center remains closed.

Manassas National Battlefield Park: The visitor center, Brawner Farm Center and restrooms are closed.

Shenandoah National Park: As of May 23, Skyline Drive, all overlooks, and most trails are open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Old Rag, Whiteoak and their trails, boundary trailheads and picnic areas remain closed. Visitor centers, picnic areas, campgrounds, lodges, gift shops, and restaurants are closed. Overnight use is not allowed at the park. Entry fees apply and restrooms are limited.

Prince William Forest Park: The park is open for hiking or biking on designated roads, but all roads and parking areas are closed to vehicular traffic. The park is working to reopen the park to vehicular traffic and some visitor services.

Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park: Grounds are open, but the visitor centers, restrooms, Chatham Manor and Stonewall Jackson Death Site are closed.

Virginia State Parks: Trails are open for hiking, biking and equestrian use as well as restrooms, fishing piers, boat ramps, picnic tables and grills. Tidal beaches at state parks are open for recreation as of May 29. Lakefront beaches, including at Lake Anna, will be closed until adequate staffing and safety protocols are in place. Features closed until further notice include playgrounds, picnic shelters, visitor centers and meeting facilities. Pools are closed for the season.

Fairfax County Park Authority: Parks and parking lots are open in the county's park system but features like restrooms, dog parks and playgrounds are closed. The park authority is allowing use of picnic shelters or other permits that follow social distancing and the 10-person gathering limit. Athletic fields have reopened for non-permitted use. The Water Mine, Martin Luther King Jr. Pool and Lee District Sprayground are closed for the summer. Updates on all park amenities are provided at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/coronavirus.

Burke Centre Conservancy: The homeowners association's five pools are not open but provide an estimated opening date. Membership is open to residents and non-residents.

Arlington County Parks & Recreation: County parks are reopened as of May 23, but amenities like playgrounds, picnic shelters, restrooms and dog parks remain closed.

Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services: County parks are open for trail use, as well as fishing, canoeing and kayaking where permitted. Park offices, playgrounds, pavilions and most athletic courts remain closed. Outdoor tennis courts are open for tennis and pickleball. Outdoor pools are closed in phase one of reopening.

Prince William County Parks & Recreation: Parking areas and trails are open. The boat launch at Lake Ridge Park is open to boat owners, but boat rentals are not available. County-operated outdoor pools and waterparks are closed are closed for the summer.

Alexandria Parks, Recreation & Cultural Activities: Alexandria's recreational amenities will likely open in alignment with the state's phased reopening. In phase one, parks, trails, and paths are open, but playgrounds, picnic shelters, sports courts, city fields, dog parks and restrooms remain closed. The city marina is open to only slip holders and reserved transients. Nature and recreation centers remain closed, and the Torpedo Factory Art Center is only open to artists. The city-operated outdoor pools aren't expected to open until July.

Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation: The Buffett Swimming Pool is closed for the season. Parks are open, but closed features include playgrounds, park shelters, basketball courts, hockey rink, pickleball courts and tennis courts.


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