Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services

The Loudoun County Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services was honored with three statewide awards at the recent 2024 Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) annual conference. Each year’s conference features a formal awards presentation that honors exemplary members, volunteers, and agencies of the parks and recreation community for achievements during the preceding year.

Loudoun was recognized with Best New Facility awards for the Douglass Community Center playground and The Lodge at Hanson Park and received a Snapshot Moment award for a photo from a summer camp activity.

The Douglass Community Center playground received the Best New Facility award in the category for Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways or Trails- Population Greater than 200,000. The Douglass Community Center playground is a premier destination playground located on the grounds of The Historic Douglass School, Loudoun County’s only accredited high school serving Black students prior to integration. The playground offers a themed experience celebrating the global impact and contributions of African Americans. The design of the Douglass Community Center playground was a collaborative effort involving community members and county leaders. Custom structures not found on any playground in the United States were designed to embody authentic play through educational components including climber replicas of the Montgomery Bus and the Selma Bridge, both iconic symbols of the civil rights movement. The playground also ensures accessibility for all with an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible surface, entrances, and inclusive equipment.

This is the second year in a row PRCS was awarded the VRPS Best New Facility (Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways or Trails) with Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park taking the honor at the 2023 annual conference.

The Lodge at Hanson Park received the Best New Facility award in the category of Bricks and Mortar- Population Greater than 200,000. The Lodge is the first dedicated event rental facility within Loudoun County PRCS. Located in Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park, The Lodge embraces the park’s natural setting. Guests are treated to sweeping views of native trees, gardens, and reflections in the pond. The 3,500 sq. ft. open design embraces the surrounding nature, bringing the outside in during all seasons. The Lodge receives high praise from guests by offering a unique, spacious, and affordable venue for hosting weddings, community celebrations, and corporate events.

“We take great pride in being recognized by our peers and in the acknowledgment of the excellence of both the Douglass Community Center playground and The Lodge. I am especially proud of our team's hard work and commitment to these projects and their dedication to the residents of Loudoun County,” said Steve Torpy, Director of Loudoun County PRCS.

Loudoun County PRCS also received a Snapshot Moment award in the category recognizing a perfect image that highlights an event, services or facilities in the department. The award-winning photo captures participants from one of the department’s award-winning Daze and Fest Summer Camp sites gleefully enjoying the bucket drop feature at the Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park splash pad.

For more information about Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services and the department’s mission to connect all communities through exceptional people, parks and programs, visit loudoun.gov/prcs.

The annual Fall Fest and Photo Expo at Claude Moore Park is this Saturday!

Spend a beautiful fall day outdoors and shop and enjoy handmade crafts from local artisans and view the amazing work of entrants to the Friends of Claude Moore Park’s 16th Annual Photo Expo.

Fall Fest is fun for all ages with attractions including pumpkin painting, music, and a petting zoo. The Claude Moore Park Fall Fest will be held on Saturday ( September 21, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.) Admission to the event is free and food will be available for purchase.

Parking for the event is available from the Loudoun Park Lane entrance at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, located at 21668 Heritage Farm Lane. The Old Vestals Gap entrance will be closed to traffic on September 21 until 3:00 p.m.

This event will be held rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, a cancelation notice will be posted on the Loudoun PRCS website at loudoun.gov/prcs and the Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Claude Moore Park pages.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤
Claude Moore Park provides a unique green space amid Eastern Loudoun's neighborhoods and commercial areas. Visitors to the park discover wooded lanes, green meadows, and sparkling ponds while catching a glimpse of the wildlife that makes their homes in the park's habitats. Natural areas provide peaceful surroundings for hikes, picnics, bird watching, and photography.

Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road in Sterling.

Join your PRCS at the Franklin Park Arts Center Wednesday night for the seventeenth season of Music for Dessert, a mid-week live music series of concerts featuring local and regional performers and a variety of genres.

The fall music continues Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 7:00pm and is held on select Wednesdays through November 13, 2024. Audiences can enjoy the music in person or watch from home as the concerts are live-streamed.

Concerts will run approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Single tickets are available for $15/per person or purchase a $75 pass to attend all eight performances.

Events for September 2024 CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS Week 3 of our Music For Dessert series features a Virginia musician with his 12-string guitar! “Mendelson Plays McGuinn” is a captivating retrospective of Roger McGuinn’s career. Jason uses authentic period instruments and storytelling to connect the Byrds’ 1960’s hi...

It was Senior Field Day at the Ashburn Senior Center! The program included field games, dancing, and of course a pizza party!

The event was held at the Potomac Green Neighborhood Park as part of the PRCS Discover Your Parks program.

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒐𝒓𝒔!

Claude Moore Recreation & Community Center is seeking vendors for the center's newest event, 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞, to be held on Saturday, November 16, 10:00am - 4:00pm.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔, 𝐚𝐭 𝟓:𝟎𝟎𝐩𝐦.

Community on Purpose will be primarily held indoors at the Recreation Center with fun outdoor activities.

The event will highlight local small businesses, non-profits, educational or service providers, and resources offered in the Loudoun County community. Admission to the event is free for attendees who can shop the small business "Marketplace", find community resources or a place to volunteer, purchase from our food trucks, donate items at the vendor Donation Drive, and enjoy family-friendly activities. We want to connect, support, and build a thriving community "On Purpose".

Vendors that are encouraged to apply:

• Local small business selling handmade/unique items
• Local businesses that provide services and/or “give back” to the community
• Non-profits that provide programs, services, and/or resources
• Community Groups that provide programs, services, and/or resources
• Food truck vendors (limited spaces)

The vendor application is currently available at: loudoun.jotform.com/242162912470047

Need childcare (ages 3 to 5) in the Lucketts area?

The Lucketts Community Center has a few spots open! Call the center at 703-771-5281 to schedule a tour and register.

Our partners at Loudoun County Public Library(LCPL) will close all library branches on Friday, September 13 to hold a Staff Development Day. As usual, their online resources (https://library.loudoun.gov/online) are available 24/7.

If you still want to browse for books or DVDs, be sure to check out the LCPL Book Vending Machines at the Bluemont Community Center the Douglass Community Center the Claude Moore Recreation & Community Center and the Lucketts Community Center

LCPL customers can scan their library cards to browse a variety of materials for all ages and check out with the push of a button. PRCS staff members can help customers sign up for a library card or assist as needed.

Aiming to increase access to reading materials for all residents, the book vending machines are part of a community partnership between Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services and LCPL and bring modern convenience to the library experience across the county.

A solo show by Vinton Liddell Pickens, titled 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘬, is now on display at Gallery One through Friday, October 18, 2024. Gallery One is located in the lobby of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street SE in Leesburg.

𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘬 shows how Pickens depicted rural architecture and landscapes throughout Loudoun County. Pickens was a prominent Loudoun artist and activist who left an enduring mark on our County.

The artwork is available for public viewing during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Spend a beautiful fall day outdoors at the annual Claude Moore Park Fall Fest and Photo Expo.

All ages can shop and enjoy handmade crafts from local artisans and view the amazing work of entrants to the Friends of Claude Moore Park’s 16th Annual Photo Expo. Other attractions include pumpkin painting, music, and a petting zoo. The Claude Moore Park Fall Fest will be held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission to the event is free and food will be available for purchase.

Parking for the event is available from the Loudoun Park Lane entrance at the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum, located at 21668 Heritage Farm Lane. The Old Vestals Gap entrance will be closed to traffic on September 21 until 3:00 p.m.

This event will be hosted rain or shine. In the case of severe weather, a cancelation notice will be posted on the Loudoun PRCS website at loudoun.gov/prcs, and Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services and Claude Moore Park pages.

𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤

Claude Moore Park provides a unique green space amid Eastern Loudoun's neighborhoods and commercial areas. Visitors to the park discover wooded lanes, green meadows, and sparkling ponds while catching a glimpse of the wildlife that makes their homes in the park's habitats. Natural areas provide peaceful surroundings for hikes, picnics, bird watching, and photography.

Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road in Sterling.

💕Happy Grandparents' Day!💕

A day to honor the bond between grandparents and grandchildren! Whether it’s reading a favorite story, sharing a sweet treat, or simply enjoying a walk in the neighborhood, these moments create memories that last a lifetime.

Happy Grandparents' Day to all the wonderful grandmas, grandpas, nanas, pop-pops, mimis, papas, gigis, and gramps out there! 🥰

From charming and picturesque medieval villages to quaint cities and historic sites, our Senior Trips travelers are checking off Portugal and Spain from their traveler's wish list.

Don’t miss out on our upcoming adventures for Adults 55+, from regional day trips to overnight stays along Merry Myrtle Beach and the Memphis Music Trail, we have something for you!

Learn more at loudoun.gov/SeniorTrips.

Release the hounds and have some fun with your PRCS at the Dog Swim at the Lovettsville Community Pool on Saturday, September 7, the Franklin Regional Park Pet Expo on Sunday, September 8, the Dog Splash Party at the Franklin Regional Park Splash Pad on Sunday, September 8, and the Philomont Community Center Pet Showcase on Sunday, September 15.

For details on these furry, fun events and to register, visit https://bit.ly/PRCSPetEvents.

There is still time to join your PRCS at the Franklin Park Arts Center tonight for the seventeenth season of Music for Dessert, a mid-week live music series of concerts featuring local and regional performers and a variety of genres.

The fall music series opens tonight (Wednesday, September 4, 2024), at 7:00pm and is held on select Wednesdays through November 13, 2024. Audiences can enjoy the music in person or watch from home as the concerts are live-streamed

The first concert features Alfred Yun, a jazz pianist, playing music selections that honor jazz legend Chick Corea. Yun is a Korean-American jazz pianist and composer living in Northern Virginia. He was honored to be chosen by the Music Center At Strathmore as an Artist-in-Residence for the 2023-2024 season and has performed at many jazz festivals across the Country.

Concerts will run approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Single tickets are available for $15/per person or purchase a $75 pass to attend all eight performances.

Events for August 2024 CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS Week 1 of our Music For Dessert series features pianist Alfred Yun who will be performing compositions by the jazz legend Chick Corea who passed away in 2021. Yun will perform a number of Corea’s compositions which span a wide range of genres from straight-ahead to Modal,

Reminder: County is inviting members of the public to attend the Mickie Gordon Memorial Park public information meeting tomorrow (Thursday, September 5, 2024), from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Middleburg Community Center.

Join us to view concepts and provide feedback on potential park features. Your feedback will inform the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to potentially create a future capital project to design, permit and construct these amenities.

You can view the concepts and provide input prior to the meeting through the online comment form on the project webpage. Details here: https://bit.ly/4dT61YD

County invites members of the public to attend the Mickie Gordon Memorial Park public information meeting on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Middleburg Community Center.

Join us to view concepts and provide feedback on potential park features. Your feedback will inform the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors to potentially create a future capital project to design, permit and construct these amenities.

You can view the concepts and provide input prior to the meeting through the online comment form on the project webpage. Details here: https://bit.ly/4dT61YD

Today we are checking in on the replacement project of the Potomack Lakes Sportsplex playground.

The project began in March 2024, and play elements are currently being installed.

Once completed, the new playground will feature play elements for children of all ages and will emphasize greater accessibility including an Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible surface, accessible entrances, and inclusive playground equipment.

Some of the unique features include a dual-track ride offering children of various abilities the opportunity to play together and feel the thrill of a zipline-type experience, a sensory maze, and a viper swing. The viper swing offers a large rope swing for multiple users and is not found in any surrounding Virginia counties.

The playground remains closed for construction and is anticipated to open later this year.

The Potomack Lakes Sportsplex is located at 20280 Cascades Parkway in Sterling, VA, and consists of over 40 acres for active use. For more information, visit loudoun.gov/prcs.

The Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee will present a solo show by Vinton Liddell Pickens, titled 𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘬, from Monday, September 9, 2024, through Friday, October 18, 2024. The artwork will be displayed in Gallery One, located in the lobby of the Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street SE in Leesburg.

𝘗𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘬 shows how Pickens depicted rural architecture and landscapes throughout Loudoun County. Pickens was a prominent Loudoun artist and activist who left an enduring mark on our County. The artwork is available for public viewing during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Gallery One exhibits are coordinated by the Loudoun County Art Advisory Committee, appointed by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. The committee is responsible for exhibiting work by Loudoun artists and maintaining and exhibiting the county's permanent art collection. For more information about the committee, visit loudoun.gov/advisory-art.

It’s a beautiful day at LoCo Kid’s fest at the segrafield parking lots!
😀🌤️

Come on out and enjoy the fun!