By DullesMoms, August 2026

Escape to an exciting treetop adventure in Fairfax County! Chessie’s Big Backyard at Franconia Park is the perfect getaway for outdoor fun and accessible play for children of all abilities.

Here’s what’s waiting for you:

Chessie’s Big Backyard Playground
A padded rubber surface, slides, swings, and specially designed equipment, with ramps wide enough for wheelchair access.
Tree House
Wind your way up the ramps circling the tree trunks for a whole new view of the treetop canopy.
Chessie’s Trail
A 2,160-foot sensory trail with a boardwalk, a sound garden, spinning rocks, and wildlife figures representing animals native to the Chesapeake Bay region.
Carousel
Chesapeake Bay-themed animals alongside traditional horses, with a bench that lets children who use wheelchairs transfer over and ride side by side. Please note, this special opportunity is fee-based.
Our Special Harbor Spray Park
Computerized water mazes, water buckets, and a spraying osprey nest, plus a quieter beach area with soft bubblers and interactive water tables.

Our Special Harbor, adjacent to the playground, is first-come, first-served with a capacity of 247 people, so be prepared to wait in line on a hot day. Entry is free; however, groups of 10 or more need a reservation and pay a fee.