Burke Lake Park Golf Course is an 18-hole, par-3 course, with the longest measuring 202 yards. A driving range, open until 9 p.m., and a putting green and chipping area, open until dusk, are also available. There are no riding carts available at this course. Afterwards, stop by the Golf Shop for food and drink.
Costs:
* 18 holes, weekday $21; weekend $25.
* Bucket of balls available for $7-17, depending on bucket size.
Times:
* Tee times available from 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
* Driving range opens at dawn, except for Tuesdays, when it opens at noon.
<mh>Burke Lake Loop Trail
<bt>Burke Lake Park boasts one of the 10 best fitness trails in the nation. The trail follows the shoreline 4.7 miles around the lake. It is gravel surfaced for most of its length making the trail suitable for walking or biking. Portions of the trail can be completed in 60-90 minutes.
<mh>Camping
<bt>Location: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station.
Hours: Open daily beginning the night of Friday, April 16 until Oct. 30. Maximum length of stay is 14 consecutive days.
Fees:
* Campsite Rentals: Family camping sites are limited to no more than seven people, and no more than two tents. More than seven people or two tents will require an additional camping site. Family campsites are offered on a first-come-first-served basis.
* County and Non-County Residents: $28/night, per site
* Senior County Residents: $18/night, per site
* Senior Non-County Residents: $23/night, per site. Senior discount applies to those who were age 64 by Dec. 31, 2009.
* Group Camping: Organized groups 15-200 people: $6/person per night. Groups are given a specific site to camp in depending on their size and needs. Call 703-323-6600
For more information, see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/burkecamp/.
<mh>Fishing
<bt>Hours: May 29-Sept. 6. Open every day, weather permitting.
* Saturday-Sunday hours open 6 a.m., last boat rental 6:30 p.m., boat return 7:30 p.m., close 8 p.m.
* Monday-Friday Hours Open 8 a.m., last boat rental 6:30 p.m., boat return 7:30 p.m., close 8 p.m.
* The marina will be open weekends only after Labor Day.
Bait available: Night Crawlers, Mean Green Worms, Small Minnows, Chicken Livers, Clam Snoots, Shrimp, and Squid. Call to be sure requested bait is available.
Fishing tackle also available: Hooks, Fishing Line, Bobbers and Sinkers.
For full list of fees and rentals, see http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/marina.htm.
<mh>Mini Golf
<bt>Hours: Every day 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Cost: Adults $6, children $5 and seniors $5.
<mh>Frisbee Golf
<bt>Hours: Sunrise through sunset
Cost: Free; bring your own disks.
<mh>Train
<bt>Hours: May 31-Sept. 6; open every day. First train ride is 11:15 a.m. and the last train ride is 5:45 p.m. After Sept 6, the train is open on weekends only, with the first train ride at 11:15 a.m. and the last at 5:45 p.m.
Cost: Ages 2+, $2.25. Riders under 2 may ride for free.
<mh>Carousel
<bt>Hours: May 31-Sept. 6; open every day. First carousel ride is 11:30 a.m., last is 5:30 p.m. After Sept. 6, the carousel will be open on weekends only, with the first carousel ride at 11:30 a.m. and the last at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Ages 2+, $1.50. Riders under 2 may ride for free.
<mh>Ice Cream Parlor
<bt>The Ice Cream Parlor offers variety of Breyers Ice Cream, Soft Serve, and Dip n’ Dots. The Parlor also offers hot dogs, pretzels, chips, popcorn, water, fountain sodas, apple juice, Gatorade, milk, coffee, hot tea, and hot cocoa. Seating is available indoors and on an outdoor patio. Cost: small cone/cup, $2; large cone/cup, $2.75; Dippin’ Dots, $3.50; and Root beer float, $3.35.
<mh>Corbin’s Fun Run
<bt>Corbin’s Fun Run makes its debut at Burke Lake Park July 24 at 8 .m. Runners and walkers can join the family of Corbin Marc Grubb, an infant born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) who died in 2006, as they raise money to help fight the condition that caused their son’s early death.
The race will consist of a five-mile run or a one-mile walk. Children 5 and under receive free registration, ages 5-17 pay $11 and individuals over 17 must pay $26. Proceeds will be donated to INOVA Children’s Hospital and Children’s National Medical Heart Center in Washington, D.C. Donations can also be mailed to Corbin’s Fun Run, P.O. Box 193, Clifton, VA 20124. Make checks payable to CMG Heart Foundation.
<mh>Arts in the Park
<bt>The following concerts and events will be held at the Burke Lake Park Amphitheater Saturdays from 10-11 a.m.:
*July 10: The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO String Quartet
*July 17: The GoodLife Theater
*July 24: Bill Wellington
*July 31: Pirate Jack
*Aug. 7: The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Percussion Duo
*Aug. 14: Blue Sky Puppet Theater
*Aug. 21: The Fairfax Symphony Orchestra’s OTO Brass Quintet
<ro>"I like the shade when it’s hot out."
<ro1>— Doug Stabile
<48hd>Fun in the Sun
<sh>Burke Lake Park offers a variety of activities to enjoy.
<bt>Looking for an affordable, healthy, family-friendly experience this summer, look no further than Burke Lake Park. The county-supervised park offers a wide variety of activities at little to no cost, and there’s sure to be something for everyone.
"I like the shade when it’s hot out," said Doug Stabile, who was at the park with his two sons. "We played Frisbee golf earlier, and we couldn’t have done that in the sun."
Stabile said his family usually goes to the park about twice a month. "I go to the driving range a lot, and we like to bike on the trails."
For those planning on visiting the park, Park Authority Spokeswoman Judy Peterson has a few tips to prepare. "Dress appropriately," she said. "Prepare for what your activities are going to be. Especially during this heat, we ask people to stay hydrated for their health. If you’re hiking, be aware of what’s going on around you. Walk with a buddy, or tell people your plans."
For prospective campers, Peterson said that planning ahead is important. "This is a good place for first time campers," she said, "but you might want to think thorough what you’re going to need." There are lots of things going on in Burke Lake Park this summer. From day camps to evening concerts, from hiking to fishing, and from golfing to dozing on the train, Burke Lake Park has something to offer to everyone. For more information, call 703-323-6601, or see the park Web site at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/burkelake/.