Arlington Has a “Hidden Treasure” in Potomac Overlook Park

By Randy Gardner

Located in Northern Arlington, the 66-acre Potomac Overlook Park sits adjacent to Marcey Road Park and Donaldson Run Stream Valley Park, both maintained by Arlington County. Potomac Overlook abuts the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the south. Acquired from the Donaldson family and other sources between 1966 and 1973, the Park was a modern triumph in the preservation of native woodlands. Potomac Overlook, one of 21 NVRPA-managed parks, sits on land once owned by Lord Culpeper and later John Mason, colonial pioneers.  

Walking through Potomac Overlook Park, it’s easy to appreciate the diverse ecosystem, reflecting the varied flora and fauna of the Potomac Palisades. Set on an upland ridge, the Park is traversed by several small streams that drain into the Potomac River.  

Present within the Park are 180 species of wildflowers and 110 species of trees, vines and shrubs, according to Martin Ogle, NVRPA’s Chief Naturalist stationed at Potomac Overlook. In addition, the Park is home to 140 species of birds, 20 reptiles and amphibians and over 20 mammals, Ogle said. He noted that the Park features numerous interpretative gardens, including wildflower, butterfly plant, vegetable and herbs and over two miles of hiking trails. 

Activities at Potomac Overlook constellate around the Nature Center, which offers displays on local human and natural history related to the area. Staff and volunteers are on-hand to guide tours of the facility and to conduct education programs on the environmental aspects of the Park.

 An auditorium within the Nature Center may be rented for birthday parties for children ages 4 and up for a fee of $150, or $125 for low-waste partiers. This fee includes use of the auditorium and tables, chairs, and kitchenette for 3 hours, a 30-minute nature program, and a complimentary 1-year subscription to the Potomac Overlook mailing list. Public groups also may rent the auditorium for fees ranging from $20-$35 per hour.  

Starting Memorial Day weekend, Potomac Overlook Park sponsors a Summer Concert schedule on alternating Saturdays every month through mid-September. Attendees may bring picnic suppers; however, alcohol is not permitted at the concerts. On June 26, the series features the Annual Percussion Festival, while other concerts on the summer schedule offer blues, folk, popular and Celtic music. In addition to the concerts, the Park promotes a range of public events throughout the year, such as lectures, nature walks, and conferences. 

Open year-round, the Park has an active volunteer corps, which helps keep the Park up and running every day. In fact, “Friends of Potomac Overlook” promotes a volunteer work day on the first Saturday of the month to assist the staff with ongoing indoor and outdoor projects. Annual memberships for Park volunteers range from $15 to $55 for individuals, families and organizations.

 Potomac Overlook Regional Park and Nature Center is located at 2845 N. Marcey Road in Arlington, north of Lee Highway. To learn more about Potomac Overlook, including on-site events, visit www.nvrpa.org/potomacoverlook.html. Also, you may reserve space at the Nature Center’s auditorium for a party or event by calling (703) 528-5408.