We discovered Cherry Hill Park in Falls Church when we first moved to the DC area more than four years ago.  It was within walking distance of our apartment so Fiver and I would take Arbus there to run while he played on the playground almost every summer day.  We were new inhabitants with no scheduled  “activities” to attend so we were always looking to meet someone new to play with during the week.  My Saturday morning “alone time” was spent walking to the Farmer’s Market to check out edible goodness, farm fresh wool and one particular florist who sold odd looking, sculptural flowers that grew on stalks.  The big grey barn became a welcome site in one way or another on the daily.

I still love the big, strong pines towards the street entrance and the colors from the leaves both on the ground and up in the trees throughout the park.  Sadly, the playground was under renovation last year but you would never know from the pictures that most of the area was a taped off mud pit!  I had a little bit of fun with kids, “breaking the law” and passing underneath construction tape to access the bench on the side of the barn facing the playground.  Most giggled but talked in whispers but a few rather impressive rule followers were too stressed by such transgressions and the bench plan had to be left behind!

I’m looking forward to returning again this year on Saturday, November 3rd (with a scheduled rain date of Sunday, 11/18) and there is still room in the late afternoon if you want to join us for this popular and magical location!  The bench won’t be as available this year as it was as weary parents sit and watch all their kids on the playground.  But when the bench is empty, at least my rule followers won’t be so worried! 😇😂