Friends of Mason Neck State Park

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Friends of Mason Neck State Park

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The Friends of Mason Neck State Park is a Section 501(c)(3) organization that works to support conservation, enhancement, and interpretation of Virginia's Mason Neck State Park.

11/04/2026

November Events at the Park

Come to Mason Neck State Park in November to participate in its special events. Join park staff for programs on eagles, deer, bird migration, and more.

To see the programs the park has to offer, go to the park’s website at: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck

Scroll down until you see the list of upcoming events and click on “More events at this park.”

11/04/2026

Visitors Enjoyed the Owl Moon with Live Birds and Crafts

The threat of severe weather didn’t prevent guests from enjoying the annual Owl Moon event. Guests enjoyed Secret Garden Bird and Bees’ indoor presentation about owls and hawks, with opportunities to take closeup pictures of the birds.

Younger visitors had the opportunity to dissect owl pellets, the regurgitated undigestible portions of the owls’ prey, to learn what they have been eating.

They also created owl masks and colored their own pictures of owls.

Photos by Randy Streufert

11/04/2026

Mason Neck State Park and the Friends Honored the Park’s Volunteers

The Friends and the park held the park’s annual luncheon to honor the park’s volunteer workers at the Lorton Community Center on October 17. The Friends covered the cost of a delicious barbecue lunch.

The park’s volunteers devoted 1780 hours to the park in the first 9 months of 2026, helping on trail monitoring and cleanup, staffing the Visitor Center desk, and many other activities.

Gig Mikel worked 388 hours for the park, the most of all volunteers, followed by Jennifer Pratt with 175 hours.

Would you like to join the park’s volunteers? Contact Jackie Lee, the park’s Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected]

Photos by Pam Cressey

11/04/2026

Join us for Swanfall 2026: Buffet and "The Wildlife of Mason Neck State Park"

Please join us for our annual holiday celebration. We'll celebrate Swanfall at Gunston Hall's Ann Mason Room on Sunday, December 6.

We'll start with a great buffet at 2 PM.

At 2:30 PM, we'll view the winning photos from the Friends' 2026 "Picture the Magic" photo contest. And at 2:45, we'll enjoy "The Wildlife of Mason Neck State Park" presented by award-winning photographer and Friends' Board member Randy Streufert.

Randy has spent years photographing the park's wildlife, ranging from its iconic bald eagles to the little-known or overlooked critters that are part of the park's ecosystem. He will also discuss lesser-known behaviors of some of the park's species.

Swanfall is open to everyone. Members and one guest can attend for a special price of $15 per person. Non-members can attend for $20.

If you aren't a member or your membership has lapsed, you can join the Friends at: https://friendsofmasonneckstateparkinc.wildapricot.org/join

You can register for Swanfall 2026 at: https://friendsofmasonneckstateparkinc.wildapricot.org/event-6896877

Photos by Randy Streufert

11/04/2026

Last Chance to Enter the Friends’ “Picture the Magic” Photo Contest – the Contest Closes on November 22

Be sure to send us your best photos soon. The contest period ends
on November 22.

We’re looking for images that highlight the park’s magic such as
striking images of the park’s scenery, flora, fauna, and aquatic
activities.

Images taken by young photographers and adults will be judged
separately and both will be eligible for cash prizes. We’ve not
received any entries in the Youth category yet. Thanks to the
generosity of Ann Kaup, six prizes totaling $1200 will be awarded –
a $300 Grand Prize and two $150 First prizes in the Youth category(under 18 as of October 15, 2026) and a $300 Grand Prize and two $150 First Place prizes in the Adult category.

The best youth and adult photos will be published in our
newsletter, website, and social media.

The 2026 contest rules and a downloadable entry form are on the
Friends’ website at: https://friendsofmasonneckstateparkinc.wildapricot.org/Photo-Contest-Rules

10/13/2026

The 2026 Friends of Mason Neck State Park "2026 Picture the Magic Photography Contest" has been extended to November 22, 2026.

09/28/2026

**********REMINDER**********

Come to Owl Moon -- Live Owls and Hawks

Saturday, October 3, 2026, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM

The Friends of Mason Neck State Park are hosting a wonderful
night about owls and hawks. We’ll begin with owl crafts and an owl
prowl on Kanes Creek Trail. Then join us on the lawn by the Visitor
Center where you’ll be treated to an unforgettable presentation.

Bring a blanket or chair to sit on as you watch educators from
Secret Garden Birds and Bees present “Raptors in Fall and Winter”
featuring live owls and hawks.

Here’s your chance to come face to face with these magnificent
raptors. Who wouldn’t want a selfie with a barred owl? You’re sure
to enjoy this interesting and educational program.

Here’s the schedule:

6:00-6:55 Gathering activities and an owl craft
6:15 – 6:45 Short owl walk along Kanes Creek
7:00 – 8:30 Raptors in Fall and Winter with live raptors
presented by Secret Garden Birds and Bees

Everyone is invited! Owl Moon is open to the public and is great for
all ages. The event is FREE, but standard parking fee is required.

****Registration is recommended. Please call the Visitor Center to register. (703) 339-2385.****

09/04/2026

September 2026 Events at the Park

The park has lots of events this month. Enjoy programs about dragonflies, raptors, or forest bathing, take a bird walk or a kayak trip, help improve the park’s pollinator gardens, and more. To see the programs the park has to offer, click on the park’s website below, scroll down until you see the list of upcoming events and click on “More events at this park.”

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mason-neck

09/04/2026

Save the Date for Owl Moon Saturday, October 3, 2026, 6 – 8:30 PM

Secret Garden Birds and Bees, a long-time favorite of park guests, will bring their hawks and owls for an evening of education and up-close photos of these amazing birds. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss it. The event is free, but standard parking fees apply. We’ll have more details in our October 1 newsletter.

09/04/2026

Park After Dark – Black Light Night Saturday, September 5, 2026, 6:30 – 8 PM

You have a unique opportunity to experience Mason Neck State Park in a whole different way this Saturday. Park Staff will have handheld black light (UV) flashlights available for you to search for bioluminescent plants and animals in the park as they guide you on short hikes.

Come see how the Park changes as the sky grows dark. This event is free, but standard parking fees apply.

There’s no need to register – just come out and enjoy the park in the evening.

Photo by Kris Gulden

Address

7301 High Point Road
Lorton, VA
22079

Telephone

+17033392384

Website

http://masonneckstateparkfriends.org/

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