Photograph Green Spring Gardens - Sat March 14

Info to Know:
Admission: Free - A donation box for parking is $2 a day or $20 a year
Dogs: Allowed on a Leash
Bathrooms: In the Horticulture/Visitor Center
Address: 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312
Location: Lat, Long: 38.824471, -77.159254 = Witch Hazel Rd to park on side of the road if the gate to the parking lot is closed
Plus Code: RRFR+Q7 Lincolnia, Virginia
Website: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring
Types of Photography: Landscape, Close Up, and Birds

Green Spring Gardens, which sits on 9.5 acres of land, celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020! Even though the address on the website is 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, Virginia, it is actually on a side street that has no parking or any viable access to their parking lot. The best way to access the Gardens parking lot is from Little River Turnpike, head north on Braddock Road, and turn right onto Witch Hazel Road. Since the Group’s field trips begin at 7:00 AM, but the Green Spring Gardens gate is not lifted until later, photographers park on the side of Witch Hazel Road and take a short walk to the park. Or, in the alternative, if Witch Hazel is full on the weekends, parking is available in the business parking lot next door.

There are two main buildings at the Gardens. One is the Green Spring's Historic House, and the other is the Visitor Center. There is also a greenhouse attached to the visitor center with flowers and plants.

The field trip here begins at the parking lot, where flowers and birds can be photographed. Next, the Group takes one of the paths towards the Historic House, where there are many different types of flowers, including bleeding hearts, and also where several butterflies congregate. Waterproof shoes can help your feet from getting wet on the grass.

Continuing on this path past the Horticulture/Visitor Center that leads to individual gardens. At this juncture, another trail appears that takes you down a meandering hill and across a stream. The trail leads to two small ponds, one has lotus flowers and the other a gazebo. Stay on this path and head toward Green Spring Road. Make a left turn, to head back to the parking lot and Witch Hazel Road.

At the end of this field trip, the Group typically has breakfast at JukeBox Diner, 7039 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003 (jukeboxdiner.com)

Bring: Water, fully charged batteries, empty cards, tripod, comfortable shoes

Share only your very best, most interesting shots after the field trip, and keep it down to between 5 and 10 photos.

By sending in an RSVP and joining this meetup event hosted by the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I am also agreeing to the terms of the following release and waiver of liability, which shall be binding on my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns. In consideration of my (and my child’s) participation in the Virginia Beltway Photography Meetup, I do hereby release, discharge, and hold harmless the Organizer, its members, officers, directors, employees, and the leader(s) of this event from any and all liability by reason of any damage, loss, expenses, or injury arising from my (and my child’s) participation in this event, including that caused solely or in part by the fault of any and all of the above-named parties.