Summer fun in the water

Whether you like to paddle on it or swim in it, summer is the time to hit the water. And with fuel prices what they are, more people are looking for fun close to home.

This summer we have seen a significant increase in swimmers at our five water parks:



Algonkian's Down Pour

http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/downpour/

Bull Run
http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/bullrun/?pg=waterpark.html

Cameron Run's Great Waves
http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/cameronrun/index.php

Pohick Bay's Pirate's Cove
http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/pohickbay/?pg=outdoorpool.htmlohickbay/?pg=outdoorpool.html

Upton Hill
http://www.nvrpa.org/parks/uptonhill/?pg=pool.html

Great Waves at Cameron Run is our flagship water park with the only wave pool in the region, and some of the best water slides and other features you can find anywhere. Upton Hill was completely renovated last year and continues to be more popular than it has ever been. Pirate's Cove is a great success story with almost a 300% increase in usage this year.


If you are seeking a more natural environment, there is nothing better than boating. I was paddling this weekend at Fountainhead Region Park on the Occoquan Reservoir and the boat launch area was buzzing with activity. The REI Adventure School was taking out a group to learn how to kayak. Individuals and families were renting canoes, kayaks and jon boats as fast as they could and those with their own boats were launching and joining the fun on the water.

Great Blue Herons and Bald Eagles put on a show in the sky, while the anglers were busy reeling in the fish.

Whether you want the excitement of going down a speed slide at a water park, or the peacefulness of gliding along the water and interacting with nature, now is the time to be one with the water, for summer will be over sooner than it should be.