Earth Day Cleanup at Bon Air Park 

Join EcoAction Arlington at their annual Earth Day Cleanup on Sat. April 24 from 9-10:15 a.m., 10:30-11:45 a.m. or noon-1:15 p.m. at Bon Air Park. Volunteers will collect trash and recyclables in the park and along Four Mile Run. This is a wonderful activity for small groups (no more than 15). Sign up here. 

Eternal Sundown Light Installation 

Head to the esplanade at Long Bridge Park to see the National Landing BID's latest installation in the Turn Up the Love series: Eternal Sundown now through April 11. The installation, created by artist Mads Vegas, looks like a setting sun over a city and is made from approximately 140 reused fluorescent tubes that were originally a part of a pavilion built for the Convention on Biological Diversity climate summit in Copenhagen in 2009. 

Find Hidden Gems on National Walking Day! 

Try a virtual hunt for hidden gems in your own neighborhood that you may not have known existed on Wed., April 7. Register to gain access to an interactive map, developed by WalkArlington and Arlington Transportation Partners and featuring more than 50 hidden gem walking destinations throughout the County, including parks, local businesses, restaurants, public art and more. Sign up here. 

Happy Earth Month! 

April is Earth Month and Arlington County wants you to have fun while being green! Check out the Earth Month webpage for info on how to make your home and garden eco-friendly, things to do both virtually and in-person throughout the month, and info on our “green” County initiatives. Upcoming programs:  

• Virtual Rec @ Home – Earth Month edition weekdays at 3 p.m. for kids on Facebook Live.  
• Virtual Biophilia In Your Community - Growing for the Greater Good – Wed., April 14, 6:30-8 p.m. Sign up here. 
• 33rd Annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup – Fri., April 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Four Mile Run Park. Sign up here.

Register for a Virtual 5K/10K! 

Walk, run or roll in Arlington's virtual 5k or 10k program for ages 13+! Register by May 24 and receive basic training tips and sample training schedules from the Department of Parks and Recreation's personal trainers. You’ll receive a printable bib and log sheet. Complete your distance anytime in the month of May and get a printable certificate after you log your miles. Share your photos and videos for this program using #ArlMoves and tag @arlparksrec. Sign up here.

Drones Flying Over Arlington to Measure Deer Population 

Arlington County has hired a contractor to perform a drone survey of heat signatures transecting the  

County to measure the white-tailed deer population. The drones will be flying over Arlington beginning a half hour before sunrise April 7 (weather permitting) each day until 30 minutes after sunset until the survey is completed. They will not be flying at night. The survey could take up to two weeks but is weather dependent. The information gleaned from the survey will inform the development of the County’s Forestry and Natural Resources Plan. Through the use of heat signatures, these surveys will only collect information on deer; it does not identify people. Learn more here.

Community Partner of the Year! 

In recognition of the 12,000 pounds (six tons!) of food collected for Arlington Food Assistance Center throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Arlington Parks and Recreation was chosen to receive AFAC's 2021 Community Partner of the Year Award. This award really goes to you! We could not have done this without the help of our community so thank you! 

Latin Dance for Beginners 

Learn how to dance the Salsa, Merengue, Bachata and Cumbia – the four most popular Latin dance styles at these free Beginners Latin Dance classes Mondays, April 12, 19 and 26 from 4-5:30 p.m. Classes are open to ages 10+. Meet on the plaza by the community garden outside door #4. Sign up here.