: : Department of Parks and Recreation : Arlington, Virginia

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Department of Parks and Recreation

Fall Class Registration Times Change!
Online registration begins August 14 for fall classes. In an effort to better serve the growing number of Arlingtonians who enjoy our classes, the Department of Parks and Recreation is moving up and dividing class registration times. On August 14, online registration opens only for Gymnastics classes at 7:00 a.m. and for ALL OTHER classes online registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

July/August 55+ Registration
Summer sizzles with the hottest programs, social events, learning opportunities and classes for those 55+. We offer a variety of times, locations and topics to accommodate your busy schedule. Have fun and get fit with Zumba, Pilates, Yoga, Cardio Tone and more! Brush up on your tech skills with Facebook intros, cell phone workshops and computer basics classes. Eat, taste and be merry with classes to teach you how to make delicious healthy food. Catch a movie, join a book club, play Scrabble or practice ballroom dance for some much needed unwinding. Check out the latest 55+ Guide for our full offerings. Our online class and trip registration is now new and improved! Registration for classes with fees begins July 1 (please note that we no longer accept American Express).

Virginia Highlands Ribbon Cutting
Come celebrate the opening of the new Virginia Highlands Sprayground (1600 S. Hayes Street, Arlington, VA 22202) on Wednesday, June 19 at 6pm! Event attendees can enjoy the cool water features, as well as recreation activities, balloon art, light refreshments, and more! View the event flyer (PDF) for details.

5th Annual Firefly Festival
All ages are invited to Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 24th St. N., Sunday, June 30, 7:30-9:30pm to celebrate summer's natural night lights with us!Learn all about the critters that light up the night. Events include: bug hunts, games, crafts, walks, and talks about fireflies. Bring your picnic blanket and dinner to enjoy as we wait for the sun to go down and the lights to come out. $7 fee per participant; children 2 and under are free. To preregister: visit https://registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747, Program #642953-A. You may also pay at the event. Cancelled if raining. For more information, call 703-228-6535.

July 4th Event
Arlington's signature July 4th event will return in 2013! On Thursday, July 4, all are welcome to participate in the festivities at Long Bridge Park (475 Long Bridge Drive). The event will begin at 3pm with a food truck rally, arts and crafts market, free fitness activities for all ages, live music, and lots more. Interested in being an event partner or vendor? Email lbarragan@arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-3329 for details on how to get involved.

Family Fun: Campfires at Long Branch and Gulf Branch Nature Centers!
The whole family is invited to join us every Saturday this summer (except Aug. 24), 7-8pm, for some old-fashioned fun! Campfire programs include stories, songs, games, special live animal guests and of course, S'mores! This summer topics will range from Rascally Raccoons to High-flying Hawks to Buzzing Bees. $5 fee per participant, registration not required for children age 2 and under. For more information, contact the Nature Centers.

Arlington Parks and Recreation Enhances Your Digital Experience!
You can now access facility, registration and league information easily from your mobile phone. Plus, your web experience to get things done online with the Parks and Recreation Department has improved too! Check field availability, find a court to play on, double check class registration or get up-to-the-minute league standings on your mobile phone or tablet. Just go to https://registration.arlingtonva.us, and you will automatically be re-directed to Mobile WebTrac. Then tap on the option you are looking for. If you go to that same address on your computer, you’ll see the our new look too. Our Parks & Recreation Online Services landing page is redesigned to give you quick access to the things you do most often. You'll also find links to other online services, like online publications, and newsletter subscriptions, in addition to field availability schedules for our diamond and rectangular fields!

Spraygrounds Are Open
Have fun and keep the kids cool this summer at one of Arlington County's four spraygrounds located at Drew Park, Hayes Park, Lyon Village Park, and Virginia Highlands Park. Sprayground hours vary throughout the summer. For more information, visit our Spraygrounds page.

iCan Bike Camp Volunteers Wanted!
Volunteer to change a child's life! iCan Bike (formally Lose the Training Wheels) is designed to help individuals with disabilities learn how to ride a bike independently. Spotters are needed July 29-August 2, 2013 at Kenmore Middle School (200 S. Carlin Springs Road)to run alongside the child as they learn, providing physical and emotional support. Volunteers must be 16 years or older and have sufficient stamina and strength to walk and run alongside a bike for 75 minutes. For more information or to volunteer, contact April Rosenthal at arosenthal@arlingtonva.us or 703-228-4736. Read the volunteer PDF.

Enjoy Arlington Summer 2013
Beat the heat and refresh with Enjoy Arlington classes. With classes for all ages—from tot to senior, you are sure to find a perfect fit. We offer a variety of times, locations and topics to accommodate your busy schedule. Focus on fitness with body sculpting, yoga, cardio or dance aerobics for the whole family. Channel your inner artist with Do-It-Yourself projects making jewelry pieces. Browse all of our offerings: introduce your child to a new sport, sharpen social skills, train your dog and more! We also offer adapted programs for individuals with disabilities. Online and mail-in registration begin 5/22 (please note that we will no longer accept faxed registrations or American Express). Phone and walk-in registration begin 5/29. Fee reductions available see page 17 and 19 for more information. Non-resident registration begins 6/5.

Tree Canopy Fund
Want to plant a tree in your yard or common ground? Entering its 4th year, The Tree Canopy Fund gives grants to community groups to plant and maintain trees on private property. Eligible groups include civic and homeowner associations, community nonprofit organizations, civic service clubs, school-related groups, and ad hoc neighborhood groups. Individuals may also apply for grants for maintenance to be performed on specific trees that have been designated by Arlington County through their Champion Tree Program and Tree and Shrub Ordinance. Grant applications will be accepted through June 22. The goal of the fund, which is administered by Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment and the Arlington County Urban Forestry Commission, is to preserve and develop Arlington’s tree canopy. For more information visit the Tree Canopy Fund website.

Learn, Play and Grow this Summer!
Plan your summer fun today with Arlington County 2013 Summer Camp Guide! The latest camp listings are now available online (in mailboxes in early February) including a range of topics for all ages from tots to teens: creative arts, sports, nature, adventure, history and more. Choose from over 100 different camps at a variety of times and locations to assist with your busy schedule. Resident online, fax and mail-in registration has begun. Camps begin June 24, 2013. Don't let fee be a barrier to your summer camp activities. You may qualify for a fee reduction. For more information, visit the Summer Camps page.