Spray Park In Fairfax County Makes A Splash as No. 2 Park In USA Today Readers Poll

FRANCONIA, VA — The Fairfax County Park Authority’s spray ground at the Franconia Family Recreation Area was named the No. 2 splash pad in the nation, according to USA Today’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.

After four weeks of voting, the spray ground, Our Special Harbor, came in second in the nationwide people’s choice selection. The popular water feature is set to open the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27.

Our Special Harbor is part of the Franconia Family Recreation Area at Franconia Park. The Chesapeake Bay-themed spray ground offers many ways for kids to have fun and cool off on a toasty summer day.

“From a lively set of super-soaking features, such as Chessie the sea serpent, misting lighthouse and a spraying osprey nest to the softer flow of the beach area with bubblers and water tables,” the Fairfax County Park Authority says, “everyone is sure to get wet and have a great time.”

In its 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2023 Awards, USA Today wrote that when the summer heat starts bearing down, splash pads are a terrific way for kids to cool off outdoors.

“It's little wonder that splash pads have become a mainstay in so many parks and playgrounds, and our readers voted these 10 splash pads as the best across the United States,” USA Today said.

Our Special Harbor at Franconia Park came in just behind the Scissortail Sprayground in Oklahoma City, which ranked No. 1 among USA Today readers. Rounding out the top five of the USA Today awards were splash pads in Las Vegas, New York City and Centennial, Colorado.

For the Readers’ Choice Awards, nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. USA Today’s 10Best editors then narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers then can vote once per category, per day.

Other attractions at the Franconia Family Recreation Area include Chessie’s trail, where you can visit a tree house and play in Chessie’s Big Backyard playground, including a fully accessible carousel.

“With a variety of activities and sensory features, the whole park offers something for kids of all ages, abilities and interests,” Fairfax County Park Authority says.

The Franconia Family Recreation Area is co-located with Franconia Park at 6601 Telegraph Road in Franconia.

When it opens on Saturday, May 27, Our Special Harbor will be open on Saturday and Sunday, as well as Memorial Day, from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Between June 17 and Aug. 18, the spray ground will be open daily during these hours:

• 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesdays
• 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
• 9:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, holidays

From Aug. 19 to Sept. 4, Our Special Ground will go back to being open on weekends and holidays from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.