Party in the Parks!

What better place to celebrate than in your favorite park?

With an array of birthday party options and star attractions ranging from swimming to miniature golf to nature exploration, there's a party style to suit everyone.

Audrey Moore RECenter: Party rooms can be rented 2pm -6 pm Saturday and Sunday, and the party can be customized with the addition of pool time, wallyball or gymnasium time if the gym is available. Contact the RECenter's rental coordinator at 703-321-7081 for rates and reservations. Wakefield's Skate Park also offers birthday parties with group rates and customized attractions. Contact the skate park manager at 703-321-7081.

Burke Lake Park: Birthday parties are held in the wooden birthday party shelter between the ice cream parlor and mini-golf course, weather permitting. Parties are available on weekends only between April 5th and Memorial Day weekend. Parties are available daily after Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. After Labor Day (September 1st) through October 26th parties are available on weekends only. Please call Burke Lake Park at 703-323-6600 for more information and reservations.

Colvin Run Mill: Add a unique attraction to birthday parties for children ages 5-12 years old with either a puppet show or mill tour. Base price of $150 includes two hours in the barn party area with a mill staff host and maximum 15 children. $50 nonrefundable deposit required upon reservation. Available April through November. For more information or to schedule a party, call 703-759-2771.

Cub Run RECenter: Birthday Party Swim Packages and Birthday Party Nature Packages for parties of 12 or more. Swim Parties offer unlimited swimming in the Leisure Pool with play features; Nature Parties offer activities led by the staff naturalist. Call for reservations or more information, 703-817-9407.

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park: Our one-hour birthday party program includes:

• An indoor session with live animals or site artifacts. Children may pet a snake, feed our display turtles and fish, and/or take a close look at historical artifacts
• Children will also make a craft to take home and explore some of the park’s natural habitats.
• When the one-hour program ends, groups may continue their party outside using the outdoor pavilion and/or back lawn.
• Choose your arrival time and one of the following suggested topics: American Indians, Farm Life, Snakes, Turtles, Frogs, Toads, Insects, or Worms.
• 20 children maximym, $150/party

Frying Pan Park: Just a few minutes walk from Kidwell Farm, the park's new party room is available weekends and weekdays. Plan your party to leave enough time to tour the farm, visit the baby animals and take a hayride. For reservations, available dates and pricing, call Frying Pan Park at 703-437-9101.

George Washington RECenter: Party room rental is $40 an hour, the room is available after noon and swimming can be added to the package for an additional fee. Payment is due with the signed contract in order to hold a reservation. For more information, call 703-780-8894.

Jefferson Falls Miniature Golf: Rent the pavilion area and celebrate a birthday with miniature golf. Pavilion area is available to rent May to October, weather permitting. Call 703-573-0444, ext. 8, for details.

Lake Accotink Park in Springfield: Have your party by the lake and enjoy exclusive use of the park's birthday tent, with picnic tables to seat up to 30 kids and room to spare for adult chaperones. Party packages include carousel rides, rounds of miniature golf and tour boat rides. Appropriate for children 4 to 12 years. For reservations, available dates and more information on available packages, call Lake Accotink Park, 703-569-0285.

Lee District RECenter: Party room rental is $35 an hour. A SoftPlay Room designed for the younger set (ages 6 mos.-5yrs.) is offered at $45 per hour. These can be combined with pool time for added fun; general admission rates apply, and there's a 25 percent group discount for 12 or more with advanced reservations. Call 703-922-9841 or visit online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/rec/leerec.htm for details.

Mt. Vernon RECenter: Rent a party room for $35 an hour, include the fun of swimming or ice skating for an additional fee. Pool parties can be held any time after noon; ice skating hours vary. Call 703-768-3224 for details.

Oak Marr RECenter: Party rooms can be rented, group rates are offered and parties can include mini-golf, swimming or both. Call 703-281-6501.

Providence RECenter: Parties are "under the big top" - a large tent erected on the sundeck with picnic tables and lots of exclusive space for partiers. Tent is $25 per hour, and party goers get 25 percent off general admission for swimming. On weekends 2-4pm, a giant gator can be rented for $45 for 45 minutes to up the water fun. (A lifeguard comes with the giant inflatable toy to ensure safety and reserve the gator for the private rental.) Call 703-698-1351 for reservations and more information.

Riverbend Nature Center: Birthdays on the Wild Side
(3-11 yrs.), 703-759-9018. Celebrate your birthday by discovering the exciting world of nature. Choose to explore the world of reptiles and amphibians, uncover clues about forest animals, dig into dinosaurs, take an archaeology adventure, or go on an insect safari. Each party is active and will keep your group on the move. Two hour nature center rental including a one hour naturalist program $175. Themed goodie bags available, $4/bag. Call for available dates. Fee due at time of registration. Refunds for cancellation made within two weeks of program require written notice.