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COVID-19 POLICY NOTICE:​
The Rappahannock County Park and all its recreational facilities will remain open for passive use by individuals and families under agreed conditions.
However: 
  • Individuals and volunteers will be allowed to perform Park maintenance and time-critical projects (e.g. scheduled spring plantings) under agreed conditions.
  • Some events will be scheduled.  See Calendar notice.
  • Restrooms are now closed for the winter.  Policy will be reviewed in spring.
Click here for full statement, including agreed conditions for volunteer work in the Park. 

NOTE:  Park  is open dawn to dusk.  
Park News​

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

             More 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.


October 10, 2020
Hillhouse Native Nursery Donates Plants for Pollinator Garden
Thank you to Janet Davis, for the array of native plants to fill in the gaps and "wings" of our pollinator garden, enjoyed by pollinators and humans alike. Check back in spring, summer, and fall for the full effect!

Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and RCRFA Board members help Friends of the Rappahannock prep for tree planting in October.
Sept 12, 2020

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​Rappahannock County Park Certified as
​Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary
September 2020
At a time when many native species are declining, Rappahannock County Park has been certified as an Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary.  To qualify, the Park proved that it provides and protects resources and habitat to support more than 10 different native species of animals, including:  birds, insects, amphibians, mammals, fish, and reptiles,

To learn how you can create a wildlife refuge in your home, check the Audubon at Home website. 
Domenic DelGrosso completes Eagle Scout project at Park
(click for article in Rappahannock News)
​
Summer Camp in the Park.
July 2020

Thanks to a forward-thinking group of Rappahannock community members, COVID-19 didn’t stop 89 Rappahannock youth from enjoying the month of July with their friends in outdoor camp-like settings. ​
Click here to read full article.
Picture
Camp Director Bobby Lange with campers at the Park in July.

​First 2020 Dark Skies Event!
Saturday, July 18, 2020
​
After 2 presentations in the pavilion,  eager viewers settled onto lawn chairs and blankets to watch the Neowise Comet appear in the sky, a spectacular first Dark Skies event in this year of postponements and adjustments.  Click here for Torney Van Acker's account of the event, which formed the basis for an article in the Rappahannock News on Thursday, July 23.  
Phase 3 Volunteer Workday
July 11, 2020

Seven volunteers showed up to beat the heat on Saturday, July 11.  Between 8:30 and 10:30 they weeded the pollinator gardens and pulled stilt grass along the upper trail to make space around ferns.  Most of the viney growth removed last spring remained under control.  Check back for next workday, which may be scheduled in  August depending on weather.
​Bluebird Report:

July 28, 2020
Finally!  Four Fledged Bluebirds!

July 11, 2020
​Take 4....so far so good
Our bluebirds have persisted with a 4th nesting attempt, this time back in Box #1 near the Pavilion.  Four eggs have hatched and so far, nestlings are doing fine.  
​
June 30, 2020
Another Failed Attempt
Box 5, near the trailhead to wooded area hosted a bluebird next in June with 5 beautiful blue eggs and hatchlings...which apparently died waiting to be fed after 3-4 days.  no clue. The mystery continues.
and yet she persists!  Box 1 had 4 beautiful blue eggs on 6/26.  Hopefully these little birds can fledge.
May 18, 2020
The Bluebird Drama continues.
Four of the 5 eggs in Box 2 hatched.  By Friday, May 15, the birds were gone--way too early for fledging.  No trace.  

We had a house sparrow in Box 3, possible culprits.  

Meanwhile, a few wisps of nesting material have showed up in Box 4 and a next with 3 eggs was spotted on Monday, May 18.  Hoping for success for these hardworking birds!

April 24, 2020
Bluebird mystery:  During the week after Easter, the 2 eggs in the bluebird box by the Pavilion disappeared, leaving only 2...which still remain.  These eggs should have hatched if the mother bluebird had been incubating them.  What happened?  Bluebird or human drama?

Meanwhile, the bluebird box at the back gate now has 4 eggs.  Maybe the bluebirds relocated to a quieter corner of the Park.  These eggs should hatch in about 14 days.
Virginia Bluebells Planted in Park.
March 7, 2020
Eleven volunteers planted 75 Virginia bluebells along the Rush River trail.  The plants were funded by a PATH let's Volunteer Day grant  and purchased from Janet Davis at Hill House Nursery.  The plants are flagged--check out the River trail for blooms.

Click for article by Ruth Welch.
Blue  Bird Trail Installed in Park
February 22, 2020
​Thirteen volunteers showed up on a chilly morning to install 5 bluebird boxes, donated to the Park by Keir Whitson, around the perimeter of the Park.  The boxes were outfitted with predator baffles to deter marauding snakes, mounted on poles, and placed in spots considered likely to appeal to bluebirds.  Roger Temples, a graduate of the first Old Rag Master Naturalists class and bluebird expert, brought materials needed for the poles and baffles and guided their assembly. Volunteers included members of Master Naturalists, RCRFA board, Master Gardeners, Scouts, and the Rappahannock community.   Thank you to all--now we wait for the bluebirds to notice our new accommodations! Click for BRI article
January 2020
Ben Giles and Crew Install New Fencing at Basketball Park
As his Eagle Scout project, Ben Giles rallies his crew to clear the area, dig post holes, and install posts for new fencing between basketball court and wooded slope.  The project required removal of deteriorated wire fencing and installation of new posts.  
Click for BRI article on completed project.
Mark Your Calendars

Volunteer Workdays

March 6.  10am-1pm
Spring plantings along trails.
Invasive management
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 Dark Skies Events: 
​ Check back for Dark Sky Event Schedule for 2021:
Click to read Rappahannock News article about August 22 Dark Sky Event.

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.
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For further details, please contact Torney Van Acker at 703-250-7943 or torney630@gmail.com



Fodderstack Race: 
postponed until
October 2, 2021
(pending COVID guidance)
Click here for website and updates



​Click here for archived news from 2019

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