Fort Hunt Preschool Fall Festival

Enjoy Autumn with Creativity for Kids 

The air is starting to get cooler, the leaves are changing colors, and fall is in the air. What better way to celebrate the start of autumn by attending Fort Hunt Preschool's annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 17 from 3:00-6:00 pm. Kids of all ages will enjoy riding ponies in a farm-like setting, jumping in the moon bounce, and playing lots of fun games, including hunting for treasure. Your children can explore their creative side through a variety of crafts, including glittery beaded tiaras, sand art necklaces, colorful spin art pictures, and decorating pumpkins. Face painting will also be available to transform them into princesses, animals or any character they can imagine. And, it wouldn't be a Fall Festival without sing-a-longs and storytelling that will entertain all ages. You can even show off your best dance moves to the sound of our accomplished accordion player's polka songs. And bring your appetite with you as we will have popular seasonal food beverages for sale, as well as many delicious homemade baked goods. You may even walk home with half of the proceeds from our raffle. So come to Fort Hunt Preschool's Fall Festival for a relaxing day of autumn fun, games, crafts, food, and drink!

All proceeds from this event will benefit Fort Hunt Preschool, a non-profit, parent-run cooperative. The preschool is located at 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307. For more information, contact us at 703-768-7584 or visit our website at http://www.forthuntpreschool.com/.The rain date for this event will be Sunday, November 7, from 2-5pm.

Watershed Clean-Up Day, October 16, 2010

Fairfax County Parks and Recreation Department seeking environmental volunteers

Be part of the International Coastal Cleanup! Individuals, students, families, scouts and other community groups can help clear the earth’s arteries by collecting tires, bed springs, bottles, cans and other debris from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Wear boots and old clothes and bring gloves. Trash bags and appreciation are provided. Pick a site and call to register.

Cub Run RECenter, 703-817-9423

Frying Pan Farm Park, 703-437-9101

Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 703-941-1065

Hidden Pond Nature Center, 703-451-9588

Huntley Meadows Park, 703-768-2525

Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-3464

Riverbend Visitor Center, 703-759-9018

Sully Historic Site, 703-437-1794

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 703-631-0013

Libraries closed for Columbus Day, October 11, 2010

In honor of Columbus Day, both the Alexandria City and Fairfax County Public Libraries will be closed on October 11, 2010. Make sure you stock up on books for the long weekend. 

Did you know that you can check out audio books and digital books (for FREE) through Overdrive, the Fairfax County Library's on-line, digital system? Thousands of audio books, eBooks, and digital videos are available including hundreds of children's titles. Download them onto your portable device or view on your computer. Visit the Library web site for more information. 

Hint: Check out kid's audiobooks before your next car trip and load them onto MP3 players.  You'll get hours of quiet time while reducing kids' screen time. 

City of Alexandria playground renovation updates

What's up with the playground projects in Old Town?


James Mulligan Park, 3000 S. 28th St. (Closed for Renovation)
Construction began in early September and is nearly complete, with an anticipated mid-October completion. All existing equipment has been removed and replaced with new play pieces, including a 360 degree climbing structure, 2 spinner devices, a see saw, and a swing set with toddler and school age seats. A new perimeter border and drainage system have also been completed. Rubber safety surfacing and new benches will be installed early October.

Stevenson Park, 300 Stultz Rd. (Closed for Renovation)
Construction started in late September. All existing play equipment has been removed and will be replaced with new swings and a modular structure with climbers, slides, and other unique play elements.　 A new four-square court is planned for the old swing area. Other improvements include new benches, refurbishing the open picnic areas, adding a new grill, and completing park-wide tree work. The brush behind the play area was recently cleared for improved visibility. The anticipated completion date is mid-November.

Tarleton Park - Holmes Run Trail, south of Jenkins St. and Vermont Ave. (Renovation to begin early October)
The renovation is scheduled to begin early October with a mid November completion. The new Tarleton play area will be relocated north of the existing fenced play area. The new play area is designed for toddlers ages 2-5, includes a train theme play structure, climbing turtle, see saw and toddler swings. The existing equipment will be removed. The play area will be closed during the renovation.

For more information on these updates, call Judy Lo, Park Planner, at 703.746.5490.