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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 will not be open during the month of July, except during Summer Camp hours.  Requested pavilion reservations will be honored at 1/2 price during the month of July.  This policy will be reviewed at the July RCRFA board meeting.
Click here for full statement, including agreed conditions for volunteer work in the Park. 
Park News​
Spring Plans:
Click to see Monroe and Crocker proposed site plan and planting map.

​Bluebird Report:
June 30, 2020
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.
Click for News from 2019
Mark Your Calendars

 Dark Skies Events: 
​ Dark Sky Event Schedule for 2020:
       (pending Covid-19 guidance)
Dark Sky Event: 8-11 pm, Sat. July 18 (no moon)  This event is open to member of the public.  Feel free to bring a telescope or binoculars along with friends and family.  COVID guidance:  This is an outdoor event so masks are not mandatory unless social distancing cannot be maintained.  We ask that those sharing their telescopes bring eyepiece and lens sipes to sanitize between each person viewing through their telescopes.  Click here for printable flyer.
Program: 
-10-15 minute presentation by NOVAC member about what is viewable in night sky
-short presentation about importance of light pollution-free environment.

Dark Sky Event: 7:00 pm, Sat. Aug 22 (small crescent)
Dark Sky Event: 6:30 pm, Sat. Sept 19 (no moon)
Dark Sky Event: 6:30 pm, Sat. Oct 17 (no moon)

*NOTE:  links to media articles about Dark Skies events are on Dark Skies Park page.

Read 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 Fall 2020
Click here for website and more information

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