Fredericksburg City Parks and Recreation held its inaugural “Day of Play” this past Saturday at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. The event welcomed area youth, parents, and community members to take part in a variety of fun-filled activities.
Attendees had the opportunity to enjoy paddle pool kayaking, tackle an obstacle course, try their hand at baseball pitching, take cheerleading lessons, and participate in wellness workshops, among other activities. A safe play area catered to toddlers and younger children.
All events, workshops, and guest speakers were organized by Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Special Events Intern Julie Weber. Mary Washington Healthcare representatives led the Home Run Lunches and Parents Playbook workshops, while Callie Brown, outdoor recreation superintendent for Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation, facilitated the closing workshop entitled “Parents Outdoor Toolkit.”
“I’m amazed by the turnout, especially since this is a first-time event, and with so many other activities going on in the city today,” Weber said.
The idea for the event was first proposed by Parks and Recreation Director Todd Brown in 2023, in partnership with Tree Fredericksburg, but bad weather caused the event to be canceled. In 2024, Brown teamed up with the Fredericksburg Nationals Minor League Baseball team — who recently won the Carolina League championship — to bring the event to life.
“This event is a perfect example of using partnerships to benefit the Fredericksburg community,” Brown said.
The FredNats mascot, Gus, looks on at the kayak pool during the ‘Day of Play’ at Virginia Credit Union Stadium. (Photo by Skyla Flock)
Outreach Coordinator Maggie Sanford, who worked closely with Brown for the past year, recalled past collaborations with the team, including running vendor booths at their events. “We wanted to grow the partnership and take advantage of the wonderful space the stadium provides,” she said.
Sanford and the rest of the Parks and Recreation team were excited to hold the event and see how the community would engage, noting which activities were most popular with guests. Though Parks and Recreation’s offerings typically focus on youth, Sanford was especially pleased with the wellness workshops, which offered benefits for adults as well.
“I’m really excited about today’s turnout, and I look forward to making this event even bigger and better next year,” Sanford said.
Skyla Flock, director of special events for the FredNats, praised the team’s partnership with the Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation Department .
“Todd has never brought me a bad idea,” Flock said. “I love supporting anything that involves youth and sports, and this is exactly the kind of event I would never say ‘no’ to.”
