NVHC 35th Anniversary Celebration (Rating: Fun)

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DESCRIPTION
For more than three decades, NVHC has created a strong community through a wide variety of hikes and outdoor recreational events. Come join us in celebrating the Club’s 35th anniversary with hikes, food, cake, and camaraderie.

The event will take place at Glencarlyn Park in Arlington (on the banks of Four Mile Run) - see below for directions.

AGENDA
10 am - 12 pm: Optional hikes around Glencarlyn Park (to be posted on Meetup as separate events).

12 pm - 2 pm: Main event: Lunch, trivia, toast, cake, and camaraderie. Please arrive no later than 11:45 a.m. to sign in - we will begin at noon. Lunch will include chips and sandwiches, with vegan and gluten-free options. Feel free to bring your own food if you like.

2 pm - 3 pm Travel to offsite happy hour (optional): Depart for Ballston (note: no alcohol permitted in the park).

3 pm - 5 pm: Happy hour: Will be at a bar in Ballston; the exact place is still to be finalized. Everyone buys their own drinks. Dogs will probably not be permitted in the bar - please plan accordingly.

PHOTO SLIDE SHOW
Have memories of past NVHC events you’d like to share? We’re planning a slideshow of old photos and videos from past Club events to rekindle the spirit of our outdoor adventures. You may upload them from a PC/Mac or phone using the following link:

https://forms.gle/GLMpeHYDoqY832n19

Please include a short caption (up to about 50 characters) if possible to identify the location, approximate date, and people in the photo. E.g. “Becky, Chris, and Dale, Old Rag Sunset, June 2013”.

Please include pictures from Club events that would be of interest and relevant, such as those showing people that others may recognize, a special place that was visited, or a fun activity. Something that reminds people of the Club's past. We will include as many photos as possible but may have to select a subset of submissions if there are too many. The deadline to upload photos is Friday, October 3, 2025.

Have old, printed, pre-digital photos you’d like to share (remember film cameras)? We will have a large canvas board on hand to display them. Just bring them with you to the event. Please message Bob Grammar (Bob G) via Meetup if you plan to bring old printed photos, so we know how many to expect, as well as any questions you may have about photos for the event.

ATTENDANCE LIMIT is 120. The event is free to members. One guest can accompany a member with a payment of $10 towards guest expenses. Please indicate your +1 in your RSVP so we can get an accurate head count for food. Payment should be made to Michele Douglas via Venmo at @douglm01 by September 30. If payment is not received by then, you will be moved to “not going”. Cash cannot be accepted at the event due to per park restrictions. Please direct any payment/guest questions to Michele Douglas (Michele D) by Meetup message.

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING
Glencarlyn Park is located in Arlington just south of Arlington Blvd. (Rt.50) between South Carlin Springs Road and South George Mason Drive (park map). The Four Mile Run Trail runs through the park and the W&OD trail is nearby. The 35th Anniversary celebration will take place at Picnic Shelter #2 (GPS coordinates: 38.863771, -77.119195).

There are three entrances to the park. Two of them are off South Harrison St. at 3rd and 4th streets (west side of park), which are accessed from South Carlin Springs Rd. The other entrance is on the east side of the park, accessed via a connector to the Four Mile Run trail from South Columbus Street, off Arlington Blvd.

Parking-
There are several places to park in and around the park. See the parking map here. Overall, parking is limited, and carpooling is encouraged.

West Side (via South Carlin Springs Road) There are two entrances on South Harrison Street at 3rd Street and 4th Street. Note that the 3rd street entrance is a pedestrian entrance only. There is no parking at this entrance. Parking is available at the following locations:

1.) There are two parking areas inside the park accessed via the 4th Street entrance (GPS Coordinates 38.86306, -77.12049). Follow the entrance road into the park. After a few hundred yards there are 20 parking spaces along this road. Continuing on past Picnic Shelter #1, there is another small parking lot with 13 spaces near the dog park at GPS coordinates 38.862270, -77.117698. To get to Picnic Shelter #2, from either location, find the footpath to the left of the small parking lot and follow it to the Picnic Shelter #2.

2.) There is a parking lot for 20 cars just to the right of the 4th Street entrance on South Harrison Street. GPS Coordinates: 38.8629, -77.12043. Enter the park though the South 3rd Street entrance. It’s a short walk to picnic shelter #2.

3.) Street parking is available along South Harrison Street, South 3rd Street, and South 4th Street. GPS Coordinates 38.863470, -77.120532. Enter the park through the South Third Street entrance. It’s a short walk to Picnic Shelter #2.

East Side (via Arlington Blvd.) Street parking is available on South Columbus, South Park Street, and South Aberdeen Street. From South Columbus Street, enter the park through a short connector trail to the W&OD at GPS Coordinates: 38.86367, -77.11733. You'll see the picnic shelter on the left.

All of the above locations are roughly equidistant to Picnic Shelter #2.

DOGS are permitted per Club policy: Policies – Northern Virginia Hiking Club. (Please see the note above about possible restrictions at the bar.)

METRO
The closest station is Ballston (Orange and Silver lines) and is a two mile walk.

CARPOOLS
Participants can form their own carpools from a) Centreville Commuter Lot (b) Woodbridge Commuter Lot and (c) Ballston Metro (free street parking Sundays).

Directions to Meeting Spots – Northern Virginia Hiking Club

Neither the Club nor the leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride from the carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants, and they participate at their own risk. Leader plans to be at the meeting place. Suggested carpool fee: $5