Arlington National Cemetery’s expansion opens, buries Second Battle of Manassas soldiers
Following the opening of Arlington National Cemetery’s $81.7 million expansion on Sept. 6, two unidentified soldiers from the Second Battle of Manassas, whose remains were recently found in a pit of amputated limbs, were buried 156 years after their death. A noteworthy detail about the expansion: a drive bears the name of Ida Lewis, who saved mariners from Rhode Island’s Newport Harbor in the late 1800s. This is the first time that an Arlington National Cemetery drive has been named after a female.
Off-leash dog area at South Run District Park temporarily closed
Through sometime in October, South Run District Park’s off-leash dog area will be closed so that a stone dust surface that will help prevent erosion can be installed. Other off-leash dog parks can be found here.
Work begins on a new trail coming to Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park
Herndon’s Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park will get a new 12,000-foot trail by the spring of 2019, should everything go as planned with the path’s milling and paving this fall. As the contractor, Tibbs Paving Inc., begins work this month, expect some traffic congestion at maintenance entry points as well as closures at parts of the existing trail.
Mason District Park tennis courts closed for light replacement
The lights at the Mason District Park (6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale) tennis courts will be replaced, closing the courts through Sept. 17. Play can resume on Sept. 18, but the lights will not be functional until Oct. 19. Nearby lighted parks include Annandale Community Park (4026 Hummer Road), Backlick Park (4516 Backlick Road) and Wakefield Park (8114 Braddock Road).
City of Alexandria launches 2018 photo contest
Local photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to share their high resolution photos of parks, programs or events held in the City of Alexandria through Oct. 15. The public will vote on their favorites from Nov. 1-15 and the winners will be made public on Dec. 1.
Fall Native Plant Sale at Long Branch Nature Center slated for Sept. 22
Those looking to add a few new native elements to their gardens can do so either by preordering plants before Sept. 12, or showing up to the Long Branch Nature Center’s plant sale in person on Sept. 22 between 1-4 p.m. Those ordering in advance should pick up their plants Sept. 21 from 3-6 p.m., or on Sept. 22 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks Nature Center celebrates 10 years
On Sept. 29, Hidden Oaks Nature Center will host a free, three-hour birthday bash celebrating The Nature Playce, a 1/3-acre woodland play area designed to get kids interested in the outdoors. At the event, little ones will get to release monarch butterflies, conduct experiments, meet animal friends and get their face painted. Those wishing to attend are asked to register in advance.
Arlington County seeking basketball coaches
As teams will begin playing in mid-November and continue through mid-March, Arlington County is looking for volunteer head and assistant basketball coaches for its third to 12th grade youth teams. Volunteers can be high school students so long as they are at least 16 years old. Sign up here.
