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12 Terrific
Staycation Ideas for Reston Families S BY JESSICA BIGGER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SEAN BAHRAMI
chool’s out! Summer is finally here. It’s time to take advantage of the outdoors. So if your family is planning on sticking around for the summer, Reston is the place to be. The pools, tennis courts and camps are the first things that come to mind, but there’s so much more; you could literally fill every single day of your summer doing something fun. Following are 12 great activities you can do with your family this summer through Reston Association and around Reston.
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1ONESPEND A DAY AT 2 EXPLORE AND OF RA’S MANY EXERCISE ON RA’S PARKS
There are lots of RA parks for families who are involved in sports (soccer, baseball, basketball, etc.) Too windy? Fly a kite. If you have a birthday party coming up, you can rent a picnic pavilion. Looking to cool off? Stop by Lake Anne Recreation Area to dance in the spray fountain or get a group together for a round of volleyball.
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PATHWAYS OR THE W&OD TRAIL
With over 55 miles of paved pathways, you can walk anywhere in Reston. Many residents use the paths daily for running, walking or bike riding. It’s a great way to stay in shape and be connected with Reston. There are trails that will take you around most of RA’s lakes. The trails connect Washington Plaza in Lake Anne, North Point Shopping Center, South Lakes Shopping Center and even Reston Town Center. Hop on the W&OD trail, which stretches from Shirlington all the way to Purcellville at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The trail runs right through Reston. So if you’re up for a serious bike ride, go long.
3 RECONNECT WITH NATURE AT
THE WALKER NATURE CENTER
The Nature Center is a great place to take your family. Grab a nature scavenger hunt at the Welcome Desk, and take a hike and to see what you can find. Don’t forget to stop by the pond to look for frogs, turtles and other cool creatures. Finish your adventure with a picnic at the covered pavilion. Did you know that Walker Nature Center has a fire pit you can rent? Gather your friends and family together to listen to the night sounds and share s’mores. Looking for a nature activity? Walker Nature Center has numerous summer programs for families: campfire programs, stream sloshes, bird walks, etc. Visit the back of this issue for a list of programs. Also, look out for the Fairy Festival on July 21 where kids can search for fairy houses along the trail, enter the costume contest or build their own fairy house to win a prize.