Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

Related Resources

Franconia Family Recreation Area

Operating Status

Amusements may close early or be put on hold due to weather conditions, maintenance or other unforeseen circumstances. Please call the park in advance or check our Park Alerts web page for up-to-date status information for park facilities, amenities and amusements.  Thank you.

Chessie’s Big Backyard, Trail, Carousel, and Shelters are available for use. Shelter reservations can be made by visiting our Picnics webpage.

Welcome to the Family Recreation Area at Franconia Park, home to Our Special Harbor and Chessie’s Big Backyard, a fully accessible recreation area for EVERYONE to enjoy!

Our Special Harbor

Children playing in the water at the sprayground

If you like running through the sprinkler, you’ll love Our Special Harbor. This fully accessible Chesapeake-Bay themed sprayground has fun features including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. The beach area is quieter with softer bubblers and interactive water tables. The computerized water maze and dumping crab basket provide more lively activity.

For safety, children (15 years and younger) enjoying the spray park, MUST wear aquatic shoes or sandals with a manufactured back strap at all times; non-standing, non-mobile, babies are exempt; adults may wear flip-flops instead of aquatic shoes or sandals with a manufactured back strap. Street shoes are NOT PERMITTED in the sprayground.

General Admission is free for families; however there is a daily fee for each participant and chaperone for commercial or nonprofit groups. $5 for Fairfax County residents, $10 for Non-County residents. Space is limited for commercial/nonprofit groups.

Our Special Harbor Hours of Operation

 

Sensory Friendly Time at Our Special Harbor

The sensory friendly time at Our Special Harbor welcomes individuals and families who need spaces with reduced sensory input. Attend to experience limited capacity, reduced sounds and staff trained to respond to children with special needs.  

Our Special Harbor is a fully accessible Chesapeake-Bay themed sprayground has fun features including a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. 

Designed for children of all abilities, Our Special Harbor includes wheelchair-accessible features such as water tables and gentle bubblers. Water wheelchairs are available.  

Admission is free for families. Attend future sensory friendly times — 10 to 11 a.m. the following Wednesdays: 

  • June 26
  • July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 
  • August 7 and 14 

Learn more about Fairfax County Park Authority’s other access and inclusion resources


Carousel Hours of Operation

Fairfax Virtual Assistant