Hidden Pond Nature Center offers the best of both indoor and outdoor fun. Inside the nature center, you’ll find animals, puzzles, books, insects, and staff who are enthusiastic about answering your child’s questions. (And clean restrooms, too.) The last time we went, my kiddo asked about 989,000 questions about black widow and wolf spiders- something I personally am just as glad I didn’t have to research in order to inform him on the subject. (I know they are beneficial insects but they kind of gross me out. Even in pictures.)
There are also hands on exhibits, and your child will be able to look inside a turtle shell without personally having to empty it first, which I also consider a plus. If the weather is good, you can then go outside for some playground time and follow it up with an explore along the trails. (I did these with a jogging stroller and plan to explore them in more depth on a slightly cooler day- stay tuned.)
The nature center will, if the season is right, allow you to rent a pond net for a small fee. Then your kiddo can see what they can pull out of the pond. Dirt, slimy plants, bugs, and the possibility of falling off the boardwalk into the pond? It all adds up to “perfect” according to most of the kids I know. (Yeah, pack a change of clothes- INCLUDING SHOES. Trust me on this.)
There is ample parking in the parking lot. The playground is enclosed by a fence and has a mulch surface under the climbers and slides. There are benches and picnic tables near the playground area for picnic lunches, or you can go around to the back of the nature center and eat in the gazebo, which overlooks the pond.
8511 Greeley Boulevard, Springfield VA
From a member:
This is a great little park hidden at the end of Greeley Blvd, in a neighborhood. There is a nice wooden play structure (near the parking lot and mostly fenced) and some picnic tables. The Hidden Pond Nature Center has snakes, turtles, and frogs, as well as nature-themed puzzles and simple coloring pages, and clean restrooms. There are walking trails and an easy path around the pond that is navigable with a stroller. Pretty much something for everyone!
By: Katherine T.
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