Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends

09/03/2026

👉 Get in the LOOP: The Learning Outdoor Observation Pod (LOOP) at the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center (WSEC) on Walney Rd. in ECLP is a wonderful place for children and families to explore, play, and discover the natural world.

Thanks to ECLP volunteers, families can now enjoy LOOP Extensions—FREE, hands-on activities with even more opportunities for creative outdoor learning.

Five LOOP Extensions have already been held this year, with volunteers providing activities and materials for children to explore. These drop-in experiences are free to families, with supplies supported through the WSEC donation fund, which ECLP Friends has proudly helped support.

Welcome to Terry Angelotti, our newest LOOP volunteer (pictured)! Terry joins LOOP volunteer Margaret Bauman.

Mark your calendar for these LOOP extension tours:
- Monday, Sept. 21, 10am-12pm w/ Terry
- Wednesday, Sept. 30, 10am-12pm w/ Margaret

Watch the ECLP Friends accounts on Facebook and Instagram for updates for additional dates and times.

Come explore and see what’s in the LOOP!

09/02/2026

🍂 Welcome September! This month is packed with incredible nature, history, and family programs at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park!

From exploring paw-paws and making ice cream the old-fashioned way to discovering the stories of Walney’s women and learning about freedom seekers, there’s something for curious minds of all ages.

Don't miss out! These engaging programs are led by the knowledgeable ECLP staff and are a wonderful way to experience the park in a whole new way.

👉 For more information and to register online, visit: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence/events

09/01/2026

WOW! How cool is this? 👀Come check out the new EnChroma glasses for FREE at ECLP's Walney Visitor Center and SEE what's new at your favorite park! 🦊

Experience Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in a whole new way! 🌈

Visitors with color vision deficiencies can now borrow EnChroma glasses for free at the park’s visitor center. 👓The glasses help many people distinguish a broader range of colors, making flowers, butterflies, trees and natural landscapes appear more vivid and easier to differentiate.

🔹 6 pairs available (adult & youth sizes)
🔹 Fit-over options for those who wear prescription glasses
🔹 Styles for red-green and blue-yellow color vision deficiencies
🔹 Borrow for the duration of your park visit
🔹 Some pairs can be reserved; others are first-come, first-served during visitor center hours

🔗Learn more on the website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/eclawrence/enchroma-glasses

09/01/2026

SEPTEMBER 1 — 164 YEARS AGO TODAY

Did you know Ellanor C. Lawrence Park was once at the center of the Civil War?

Today, ECLP is known for peaceful trails, beautiful woods and family adventures. But on September 1, 1862, part of what is now Ellanor C. Lawrence Park became a battlefield.

The Battle of Chantilly, also known as the Battle of Ox Hill, was fought in the Machen family's cornfield at historic Walney Farm following the Second Battle of Bull Run.

Just days earlier, Union troops had retreated through the property, taking livestock, food and supplies.

Imagine standing at Walney today and realizing that the peaceful landscape around you was once caught in the middle of a major Civil War campaign.

📍 The land holds stories of conflict, courage, resilience and survival—and they're still here for us to discover.

Have you ever walked through ECLP and wondered what happened here 160+ years ago?

Tell us what part of Walney's history you'd most like to learn about. 👇

08/30/2026

Happy National Park Week! Get out to your favorite local park & enjoy! 🦊

08/30/2026

Discover local history for free this fall with Fairfax250! 🕰️

The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering two great ways to explore our past:

🏠September Sundays Free Tour Series- Sept. 6, 13, 20 & 27
Visit seven historic sites, including:
-Colvin Run Mill
-Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
-Green Spring Gardens
-Historic Huntley
-Sully Historic Site
-Spindle Sears House (rarely open Sears kit home)
-Frying Pan Spring Meeting House (200+ years old)
🏠The tours are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required.

🍃Fairfax250 Adventure Patch
Explore local history, share what you learn and take action in your community. Complete Fairfax 250 activities across parks, historic sites and trails to earn your patch.

🔗Learn more on the website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/topics/fairfax250

08/29/2026

🦋 WOW! This summer, 296 young campers spent 11 weeks exploring, learning, and discovering the natural world at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park!

⛺ ECLP hosted 19 site-run and vendor camps, giving children opportunities to get outdoors, learn about wildlife, and experience the park in new ways.

🦊 Thanks to our generous supporters, ECLP Friends funded a Wildlife Rangers summer camp scholarship for a local student who otherwise would not have been able to attend. That scholarship opened the door to a week of outdoor discovery, hands-on learning, and adventure.

🧡 Camp scholarships—and field trip funding for Title I schools—are just some of the ways ECLP Friends helps make meaningful experiences at the park accessible to local children. Environmental education is an investment in the future: by helping children connect with nature today, we are cultivating the future stewards who will help protect and preserve Ellanor C. Lawrence Park for generations to come.

👉 Help us fund more opportunities for local children. Your one-time or recurring donation to ECLP Friends can help provide future camp scholarships and environmental education experiences.

Click here to DONATE today: www.eclpfriends.org

Thank you for being a Friend!

08/27/2026

🏆The first Summer Slugfest was a hit—and thanks to you, the biggest win belongs to our community.

🧡Together, we raised more than $1,500 for ECLP Friends—including proceeds from the game, the 50/50 raffle, merchandise, donations, and our post-event fundraiser at Lazy Dog – Chantilly.

🌳That number represents so much more than dollars. It represents local kids who will have opportunities to attend camp, families who will enjoy new park programs and activities, and more chances for our community to discover and experience all that Ellanor C. Lawrence Park has to offer.

🦊Thank you for supporting ECLP Friends and our park, and helping us create more opportunities for local children and families to learn, explore, and connect with this incredible place we call home.

👉 Help us spread our mission: like, share, follow, donate and volunteer! Learn more: www.eclpfriends.org.

08/25/2026

🦊 The August edition of Field Notes is here — don’t miss it!

Catch up on everything happening at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park with the latest from ECLP Friends:

🍁ParktoberFest is coming Oct. 10: Food, fun and live music!
🥎 Slugfest raised more than $1,500 to support park programs
⭐️Nearly 300 kids connected with nature at ECLP summer camps
🌿Check out the Learning Outdoor Observation Pod (LOOP)
🎉Find out how to host your child's next birthday party at ECLP!
🍂 Sign up for September programs and events
🙌 Get involved, volunteer, and support your park

📬 Read it now: mailchi.mp/af6ea259ab00/eclpfriendsfieldnotesaugust2026

Stay connected, stay inspired — and thank you for being a Friend! 💚

08/22/2026

🦊 Only 7 weeks until Parktoberfest on Sat. Oct. 10! 🧡

Join us for one of ECLP's favorite traditions -- the "just right" fall festival at Cabell's Mill on the lawn at Middlegate.

This year promises to be better than ever! C'mon out to enjoy:
- Live Music
- Craft Brews
- Delicious Eats
- Local Artisans, makers and bakers
- Support for the park

👉 Stay tuned for event announcements and volunteer opportunities.

🦊 What's your favorite Parktoberfest tradition? Let us know in the comments below!