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COVID-19 POLICY NOTICE:​
​
  • The Rappahannock County Park and all its recreational facilities are open for use by individuals, families, and groups of 50 members or less. The Park will be closed from dusk to dawn everyday for all visitors, with the exception of pre-approved Dark Skies activities.
  • Visitors may reserve the pavilion for a fee according to the RCRFA Park Pavilion Reservation Agreement through the County Administration Office for gatherings of 50 people or less.
  • More information about COVID-19 can be found in the references above. Specific questions about this policy can be addressed to the RCRFA Emergency Operations Coordinator, Michael Del Grosso.  Michael.DelGrosso@gmail.com 
Click here for full statement, including agreed conditions for volunteer work in the Park. 
NOTE: 
​Park  is open dawn to dusk.  
Park News​
Spring Comes to Rapphannock County Park!
March 2021
Stop by and enjoy!
  • forsythia pruned last summer is in its glory
  • a new red oak setting roots in the playground area
  • bluebells planted in 2020 beginning to bloom along the river trail
  • more spring ephemeral blooms along wooded trails.
​
Coming attractions:  
  • Work has begun on all-weather, handicap accessible restrooms.  Read more here.
  • An American Conservation Corps crew, scheduled to work in the Park during April, will be building a connector trail between the middle and river trails 
  • Some signs of housekeeping in our bluebird boxes
​

Click to see Monroe and Crocker proposed site plan and planting map.
 ( to be considered and approved by RCRFA board)

Archived Park News:    Archived news from 2020
                                                            Archived news from 2019             

Fall 2020 accomplishments in Park:

October 6:  32 trees planted in Plots D and E (in addition to 121 trees planted in spring.  Reforested area is new home to shagbark hickory, black gum, redbud, dogwoods, and oaks.

October 19:  23 hazelnut shrubs planted in Plot E, 24 New Jersey Tea set along VDOT right of way

November 14:  volunteers weed gardens and work on invasive management along upper trail

December 10:  Burning Bush Busters--lots of burning bush removed.  Lots remains!

December 19:  ORMN Christmas Bird Count birders observe  95 birds, 18 species.
Mark Your Calendars

Volunteer Workdays

April 24. 9:00am-12:00 noon
Rush River and Park Cleanup
Clean up River Trails
Tidy Pollinator Gardens
Clear around Bluebells and mark
Spring planting along trailheads
Check bluebird boxes.
​
 Dark Skies Events: 
 Sky Event Schedule for 2021:

Sat. May 8, 8:00 pm
Audience: Members of the public, astronomy club members. Feel free to bring along any friends and family.

Volunteer Role: Bring binoculars or a telescope to share views of the planet Mars, galaxies and other deep sky objects. 

Presentations:
  •  NOVAC member will p a 15-minute presentation by NOVAC member on how to find Mars, the M-44 beehive cluster and the M-104 Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo.  
  • short educational presentation put on by the Park stressing the value of maintaining a light pollution free environment. 
 Masks: 
  • not mandatory before dark unless social distancing cannot be maintained.   
  • required after dark.
 
Contact: RSVP to Torney Van Acker, Dark Sky Coordinator, at 703-250-7943 or torney630@gmail.com.

-- Sat. June 12, 8:00 pm
– Sat. July 24, 8:00 pm (full moon)
– Sat. Aug. 7, 8:00 pm
– Sat. Sept. 11, 7:00 pm
– Sat. Oct. 9, 6:30 pm 
Check back for details.

Dark Skies Annual Report 2020.  here
​
media articles about Dark Skies events are on Dark Skies Park page.

*Park may be used for Dark Skies night events only on Friday and Saturday nights.
Click to see protocol for reserving Park for a Dark Skies event.
​
For further details, please contact Torney Van Acker at 703-250-7943 or torney630@gmail.com




Fodderstack Race: 
postponed until
October 2, 2021
(register for in-person or virtual race)
Rappahannock News article, 2/20/21
Click here for website and updates

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