Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg
Phone: 703-669-0316
Web site: www.bansheereeks.org
Hours: varies according to reservations.
Banshee Reeks Park is a 735-acre natural preserve that protects the habitats of local flora and fauna and conducts scientific research on the area's history and ecology. Banshee Reeks Park protects ponds, wetlands and meadows. The grounds have an area for primitive camping and historical buildings including a bank barn and a log cabin dating back to the 1830s. The preserve has various nature walks that examine the area's rocks, birds and butterflies. Every third Saturday is Volunteer Day, where people with an interest in nature and preservation can meet. Banshee Reeks also hosts a Volunteer Intern Program. The preserve is open to the public every third consecutive Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m-4 p.m. The preserve also has a state certified master naturalist program. For more information visit www.virginiamasternaturalist.org
Claude Moore Park
21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling
Phone: 703-444-1275
Hours: Dawn to dusk; Visitor Center: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
Claude Moore Park is a mixture of nature and history, holding a section of historic Vestal's Gap Road in the Lanesville Heritage Area of the park. Other historic sites in the park include the Lanesville House and the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum. The park holds miles of hiking trails and provides visitors with numerous self-guided activities for a mix of education, fitness and fun. The eastern youth sportsplex has four lighted baseball fields, two football/soccer fields, three softball fields and a snack bar.
Potomack Lakes Sportsplex
20280 Cascades Parkway, Sterling
Phone: 703-444-1459
Hours: Dawn to dusk
The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex is a 47-acre facility that offers opportunities for numerous sports players. From April through November, the complex hosts 16 sports games per night and almost 4,000 games annually. The facility provides hosts weeknight and weekend play in its four-lighted softball fields, large playground and concession stand. Potomack Lakes Sportsplex is home to the Paul Henchen Soccer Fields, a collection of six soccer fields. The park can is also open for jogging and dog-walking.
Ashburn Park
43645 Partlow Road, Ashburn
Hours: Dawn to dusk
This 16-acre park includes three age-appropriate playgrounds, a network of walking/jogging trails and a picnic pavilion. Park also includes a dinosaur playground.
Briar Patch Park
21660 Sterling Blvd., Sterling
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Phone: 703-777-0343
Activity line: 703-715-6220
Briar Patch Park is a 5-acre park that holds three playgrounds, a pavilion, two tennis courts, a volleyball court and a basketball court, three picnic tables and a walking trail.
Greg Crittenden Park
21401 Windmill Drive, Ashburn
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Composed of 16 acres, Greg Crittenden Park includes three baseball/softball fields, batting cages and a snack bar.
Keep Loudoun Beautiful Park
43055 Golf Club Road, Leesburg
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Phone: 703-777-0343
This 3.4-acre park contains a boat launch and a picnic area. The park is ideal for a quiet afternoon of fishing.
Trailside Park
20375 Clairbourne Parkway, Ashburn
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Some of the features at 20-acre park include an inline hockey court, two lighted little league baseball/softball fields and a snack bar.
Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park
435 Squirrel Ridge Place, Leesburg
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Elizabeth Mills Park includes 122 acres of passive park land with access to the Potomac River and Goose Creek. The park is home to the historic Elizabeth Mills canal lock system and contains a section of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
Kephart Bridge Landing
43942 Riverpoint Drive, Leesburg
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Kephart Bridge Landing is the canoe and kayak launch facility located within Elizabeth Mills Riverfront Park.
Bles Park
44830 Riverside Parkway, Ashburn
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Bles Park is a 124-acre property that includes a 30-acre active park with soccer fields, walking/hiking trails, a tot lot, a parking lot and restrooms and a 94-acre passive park with wetlands that will contain sections of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and Broad Run Corridor Trail.