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Park News​
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.
  • All other scheduled events at the Park will be postponed until at least May 15, 2020, subject to further review.
  • Requested dates and pavilion reservations are hereby denied or revoked until at least May 15, 2020, subject to further review. Rental refunds are authorized. 
Click here for full statement, including agreed conditions for volunteer work in the Park. 

Spring Plans:
Click to see Monroe and Crocker proposed site plan and planting map.

Click for Torney Van Acker's column in Blueridge Independent on newest news at Park!
Click here to see RCRFA achievements in 2019!
​
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.
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.
December 2019
International Dark Sky  Park sign at Park Entrance! 
Thank you to Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection (RLEP)
​for donating sign to park.




October 2019

Polinator Garden Comes to Life!

Volunteers plant   over 75 new plants purchased form Hill House nursery with $1000 Keep Virginia Beautiful 30 in 30 grant.  Check Native Plant Gardens page for more.




Handicapped Parking Complete.
Sept. 19, 2019: 
​Members of Rappahannock Senior Center enjoy Native Blooms at Rappahannock County Park
August  24, 2019 
                                        Tennis Court Backboards Installed

Rappahannock County Park's newly resurfaced tennis courts now have a new, freshly painted and striped backboard.  A crew of five volunteers, including RCRFA member Stephanie Ridder and her husband ,John, were guided by Torney Van Acker, to install the new panels on the best Saturday we've seen in quite awhile.  

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July 27, 2019  Topsoil delivered to Park

John Cappiali delivers 2 truckloads of donated composted topsoil to cover the de-rooted pollinator garden plot.  The plot is scheduled for planting in late August and September with plants purchased with the Keep Virginia Beautiful grant.  Come out for the Park Workday scheduled for August 24 to start planting and enjoy the native plant garden started last fall!


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New Park Steps Installed by Dominick Del Grosso as Eagle Scout project.
​Railings to be installed during August.  


​New sign donated by RappFLOW installed ​by Forest Marquisee in blooming native plant garden.  July 2019
Keep Virginia Beautiful Awards $1000 grant to Park 
Future site of native pollinator garden (now planted with annual rye grass until fall planting time)
 June 16, 2019
Rappahannock County Park will receive $1000 from Keep Virginia Beautiful's 30 in 30 Green Grant program to purchase plants for the pollinator garden plot cleared of invasives this spring,  Money will be spent on plants which bloom throughout the spring, summer, and early fall and which will provide food sources for native insects, butterflies, bats, birds, and other wildlife. Check out Project-Native Plant Garden- for more information.   Click here to see:  Keep Virginia Beautiful press release.   BRI article.  


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​Rush River Conservation Day
​
Over 60 adults and children showed up on Saturday, June 8, 2019 for our First Annual Rush River Conservation Day.  The weather was perfect and the fish were biting.  Activities included Fly Tying, Pole and Fly Fishing Instruction, Stream Monitoring and Water Quality Testing, and of course fishing!  

A big thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers who made it happen.
Alan Cole posted on the Rappahannock County Park Facebook page:  "Can't wait for next year!"

​Click  for more in Blue Ridge Independent article and RCRFA Chair Mike Del Grosso's letter to editor thanking all who made this day so successful.
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​Frisbee Golf Installed
​...try it out!

June 5, 2019:  New Frisbee Golf course was installed this week and is ready for use.  The 3-hole course is located toward the back of the park and can be played in reverse to make a 6-hole game.  

Park Visitors Enjoy Refurbished Trails and Facilities
​June 2019
Ladies Lunch Bunch explores newly cleared and lined trails.
Newly resurfaced tennis courts and nets
New Display Board in Pavilion. Check for Park news.
Mark Your Calendars

Saturday Park Workdays:
April 4:  Rush River (early Earth Day) Cleanup
postponed until further notice

Upcoming Work Days:
May xxx:  tbd
June 6:  Rush River Conservation and Free Fishing Day
Click for link to notes from January 11 planning meeting--including 4 seasonal planned events in the Park.
​
​See Projects pages for previous workday photos.
​
Fodderstack Race: 
postponed until Fall 2020
Click here for website and more information

Dark Skies Events: 
​ Dark Sky Event Schedule for 2020:
Dark Sky Event: 6:30 pm, Sat. April 25 (tiny crescent at sunset)  CANCELLED
Dark Sky Event: 6:30 pm, Sat. May 16 (no moon)
Dark Sky Event: 7:00 pm, Sat. June 6 (full moon)
Dark Sky Event: 7:00 pm, Sat. July 18 (no moon)
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

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