The Water Mine in Reston is closing out the summer this Saturday (Sept. 6) with the return of its annual “Dog Daze” event.
The Gold Rush-themed water park, which is located in Lake Fairfax Park at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, will become a pooches-only zone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. after concluding its human operations for the season on Monday (Sept. 1).
“Watch your furry friends dive for joy while you peruse the canine resource fair with pet-related vendors,” the Fairfax County Park Authority said in a press release. “Come out to make more dog-loving friends, entertain the whole family and have a doggone good time.”
There’s a $15 entry fee, but all proceeds go to the Fairfax County Park Foundation, the nonprofit that helps raise funds to support the park authority’s programming. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door, if capacity allows.
For Dog Daze, the park authority has a few rules intended to ensure “the safety of all dogs and their humans”:
- All dogs must be current on vaccinations.
- All dog handlers must be 18 years or older and supervise dogs at all times.
- No female dogs in heat or puppies younger than 3 months old.
- Aggressive or unruly dogs are not permitted.
- Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
- Dogs swim at owners’ risk.
- Humans are not permitted in the pool.
Generally open from Memorial Day until Labor Day weekend every year, the Water Mine features more than an acre of water slides, flumes, sprays and showers, along with a 725-foot-long lazy river and an interactive water playground.
This Saturday will also be the final dog paddle of the year for Reston Association, which also sends off each summer pool season by letting dogs take a swim. The dog paddle will take place at the North Hills Pool (1325 North Village Road) with sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
RA’s Lake Newport, North Shore and Ridge Heights pools remain open until Sept. 21.
