On a bright September afternoon, Annandale Community Park was alive with the sounds of laughter, nature and curiosity. Families gathered for FACETS’ Family Day, held Sept. 12 as a kickoff to Latino Conservation Week (Sept. 13-21), and Hidden Oaks Nature Center was proud to be part of it. This is the second year Hidden Oaks has partnered with FACETS to coordinate Family Day for Latino Conservation Week.

Children’s eyes lit up as they met frogs and toads with Hidden Oaks naturalists Cesia Lobo and Cecilia Sellars, who explained how these small amphibians help keep local ecosystems healthy. Parents leaned in, eager to learn about nature programs that spark curiosity and connect kids to the outdoors. Just steps away, crafts, games and lunch in the park brought families together, turning a Saturday afternoon into a joyful community celebration.

For many attendees, Family Day was a first introduction to Hidden Oaks and nearby Park Authority sites such as the Audrey Moore Rec Center. By simply being present in the park, families discovered welcoming spaces and programs they had not realized were so close to home. That is the heart of events like this — opening doors, building connections and making sure every resident knows they belong in our parks.

The event was organized through FACETS’ Opportunity Neighborhoods initiative, which brings together community partners and resources based on needs identified by residents. According to FACETS, many Annandale families surveyed had never visited Hidden Oaks, the Audrey Moore Rec Center or other nearby facilities. Family Day helped change that, showing families how many programs, spaces and opportunities are available in their own neighborhoods.

Hidden Oaks was honored to be part of this effort, helping to weave conservation, culture and community into a single, joyful afternoon. We look forward to welcoming these families back to Hidden Oaks and to parks across Fairfax County—because every story, every culture and every voice belongs in nature.

Learn more about how the Park Authority builds connections across communities at Mi Conexión al Parque.