Annandale To Get Its First Pop-Up Park This Summer

ANNANDALE, VA—Annandale will have its first pop-up park with community programming starting on June 29.

The 1,200-square-foot space at 7200 Columbia Pike is a concrete patch on the grounds of a former elementary school being transformed to a temporary park space. The community gathering spot will have tables, chairs, game tables, a piano painted by artists and landscaping.

The county plans to turn the park into a permanent park. The idea for a pop-up space and a design for the permanent park emerged when the county began collecting public feedback last year.

"What we're trying to do is contribute to the local vibrancy of Annandale and further revitalization," said Laura Baker, program manager with the Fairfax County Office of Community Revitalization, in a news release. "We think having a space like this can really help bring about some near-term, tangible change for people and can hopefully propel future change."

The park's first event coincides with the opening. It will be open for events through October. Attendees can learn about the vision for space as a permanent park at each event.

The programming schedule is as follows:

• June 29, Nature Day: A family-friendly event featuring live native animals from Hidden Oaks Nature Center, gardening insights from Green Spring Gardens, golf tips and tricks by Pinecrest Golf Course, a scavenger hunt and a unique bead for the day you start the Mason District Beadin’ Path at the pop-up park. Click here to register.
• July 27, Arts Day: Arts-themed family-friendly programming activities such as painting, chalking, etc. More details forthcoming.
• Aug. 24, Fitness and Fun Day: Physical fitness, play and general wellness-themed family-friendly programming activities. More details forthcoming.
• Oct. 5, Taste of Annandale Community Day: This is the park’s last planned event and more details will be provided in the future about the family-friendly programming activities.

Volunteers are needed to clean up the space before it opens. A clean-up day will be held Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To volunteer, register here by June 14.