Department of Parks and Recreation
Upcoming Events
Local parks are under attack by exotic and non-native plants that have been introduced into our area from habitats as far away as Asia and Europe. Outside of a managed lawn or garden, these plants grow very aggressively, and as they spread, they kill and displace the trees and other native species. Join the volunteers from RiP who help protect the native flora and fauna in our parks. Come learn which plants are a problem and how they negatively impact our park land and even threaten your own yard. |
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Regularly Scheduled Monthly Events
| For ages 9 to adult. If under 16 you must be accompanied by an adult throughout the event. We meet monthly at the locations listed below. If you have your own garden gloves and tools, please bring them along. Some supplies will be provided. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty, including long pants, long sleeves, sturdy shoes, and perhaps a hat. You may also want to bring along a reusable water bottle. For more information, email Sarah Archer or call 703-228-1862. | |
| First Saturdays @ Haley Park/Gunston Woods, 10 am - noon February 4, March 3, April 7 Meet at Haley Park, 2400 S. Meade St. Site Leader: Jennifer Frum | Second Saturdays @ Lacey Woods, 10 am - noon February 11, March 10, April 14 Meet at the N. Frederick & 11th St N entrance., Arlington, VA 22205 Site Leader: Nora Palmatier |
| Second Sundays @ Gulf Branch Nature Center, 2 pm - 5 pm February 12, March 11, April 15 Meet at the Nature Center, 3608 Military Road, Arlington, VA 22207 Site Leader: Jennifer Soles | Third Saturdays @ Tuckahoe Park,, 10 am - noon January 21, February 18, March 18, April 21 Meet at circle in front of Tuckahoe Elementary School near parking lot, 6550 26th St N, Arlington, VA 22205 Site Leader: Mary McLean |
| Third Sundays @ Long Branch Nature Center, 2 pm - 5 pm February 19, March 18, April 15 Meet in parking lot of nature center, 625 S. Carlin Spring Rd, Arlington, VA 22204 Site leader: Steve Young | Third Saturdays @ Barcroft Park, 10:30 am - 12:30 pm (coffee and walk start at 9:30 am) January 21, February 18, March 18, April 21 Meet at the picnic pavilion near Four Mile Run Site Leader: Marion Jordan |
| Fourth Saturdays @ Benjamin Banneker Park, 10 am - noon January 28, February 25, March 24, April 28 Meet at foot bridge crossing Four Mile Run on far side of soccer field Site Leader: Eric Sword |  |
| If your school, scout troop, business or other group would like to participate on a day or at a time not listed above, call 703-228-1862 to discuss opportunities for a special event. | |
RiP Sponsored Special Events
Barcroft Park Work Party Jan 21
Your New Year will be off to a good start when you join us for the next Barcroft Park Habitat Restoration Work Party on Saturday January 21 from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. This event is sponsored by the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists.
Coffee and doughnuts will be served at 9:30 am to help us tackle the multiflora rose and other invasives near the bike path. Then at 11:30 am we will join Jim Hurley for some informal winter bird watching. We'll be on the lookout for woodpeckers, and should see a minimum of three (Downy, Hairy, Red-Bellied), and perhaps up to six species.
We will meet at the picnic pavilion in Barcroft Park. If you park in the Barcroft recreational area parking lot, walk past the soccer fields, bear right and then cross the stream on the wood and steel bridge. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Bring gloves and any favorite weeding tools, especially pruning tools and shovels if you have them. We will also supply gloves and tools.
This project needs you! Every pair of hands makes a difference for this valuable ecological site. Enjoy the satisfaction of clearing invasive plants to encourage growth of native plants which provide habitat for birds and other wildlife.
If you have questions, please contact Sarah Archer at sarcher@arlingtonva.us.
Be sure to check out RiP related topics and events on Facebook. For more information, please contact Sarah Archer at sarcher@arlingtonva.us.
CONTACT US
Invasive Plant Coordinator
Sarah Archer
Phone: 703-228-1862
