Just Like Nothing (else) on Earth: Brambleton Community Park

By Tim Jon 

No – I didn’t play any ball, soccer, softball or otherwise. The morning I stopped in at BrambletonCommunity Park in eastern Loudoun, I was more concerned about blinking my eyes often enough so they wouldn’t freeze – either open or closed. Yes, it was that cold – even for a guy who grew up in Minnesota. Within just a few steps after leaving my car I quickly decided to attempt a rapid trip around the small, ice-covered pond behind the impressive headquarters building. And I kept moving as I did my thinking. About half-way ‘round the body of water (and ice) I began to question my very sanity in seeking anything like a pleasurable experience anywhere in the out-of-doors on such a remarkably frigid morning; by the time I circled the humble, little pond, I was no longer questioning – I had my answer. No one in their right mind would voluntarily expose any part of their anatomy to these conditions; for proof, I encountered a young man dressed only in slacks and a tee shirt seemingly full of glee as he walked his dog in the opposite direction. I had no doubt the canine possessed more intelligence than either his master or the frost-crazed photographer they had just encountered. Our exchange of greetings was understandably remarkably brief. But (and here comes the confession) as I’ve been known to at least stretch the truth on at least more than one occasion – I have to admit to taking my, admittedly, small share of pleasure from the overall experience: I witnessed a brilliant (if chilly) sunrise, reflected on the pond’s frozen surface, I enjoyed the solitude of the quiet, wooded (wind-screened) portion of the walk, and I got to share a few moments with a solitary Canada goose (perhaps left here by his southbound brethren) – sitting quite close to shore in an open bit of water. We made quite a pair: I was so cold I couldn’t stop moving; perhaps this distinctive waterfowl was just trying to conserve energy – or had given up trying. Now, besides the aforementioned dog-walker and his four-legged friend and the feathered creature in the water, I had, that morning, as far as I knew, the entire 60-acre Park to myself. During the working week this would cause no surprise at most of our public recreational facilities across Loudoun County, but Brambleton – as any frequent visitor can attest – can be jaw-droppingly busy; the western section contains a half-dozen baseball or softball diamonds and the eastern portion features three fields for football, soccer or lacrosse. Even the uninitiated can start to imagine the activity level during the playing seasons.

And did I mention the 18-hole golf course bearing the Brambleton name, just to the south of all the aforementioned? (I guess I should do that at some point.) And, I’ll insert my promise to exercise mercy on all Park visitors – golfers and otherwise – and hereby solemnly swear to refrain from touching or even approaching the vicinity of any implement bearing the least resemblance to a golf club. I doubt that the 20th Century comedian Jerry Lewis in his irrepressible prime, could have competed with my manual ‘indexterity’ in this high-skill-level sport. Yes, for the benefit of all mankind, I’ll stick to the walking trails. Now, returning to our narrative with as much seriousness as I can muster, I’d made a mental note months before my frigid walk on a bumper-to-bumper weekend morning at Brambleton – to revisit the facility, “When it isn’t so crowded.” Well, I got what I wished for, and then some; if it had been any colder, my camera battery would’ve gone belly up. And I may have joined it. No, the morning of my visit, it was me, the goose and a half-naked dog-walker. Maybe it’s a good thing it wasn’t any warmer, after all …And speaking of temperatures inclement and otherwise I foresee a day perhaps far in our future, when I again, return to Brambleton Community Park and, yes, it will be early in the morning (excruciatingly so, for some) but this time the sun’s rays will be palpably kissing all visible surfaces, and I will be greeted by a host of friendly animals and birds as I step from my vehicle, and all will be well. My exploratory perambulation will be encouraged at various points in the adventure, and I’ll tally up an impressive list of pleasant memories with my handy camera. The trip will be seamless and complete, leaving nothing unattained, unexplored, or unsatisfied. And I may just refuse, on that day, to step back outof the story … and there you may find me.