Community at Play: One day, one recreation center, countless stories By Lindsay Reeves 12 Hours at the WARF T he sun was peeking over the horizon as I pulled into the parking lot, pastel hues of blue and or-ange climbing their way up the ladders and slides of the Claude Moore Fun For All Playground. The temperature gauge on the dashboard of my RAV4 read 15 degrees. I stayed an extra moment in my warm car, watching a couple walk the winding trail in front of me, fac-es obscured by layers of hats and scarves. Next to the playground, lights shone through a wall of windows spanning two stories, illuminating the interior of the Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility (WARF). On this frigid morning in a quiet, rural Virginia town, the recreation center was bright with activity and full of life. For the next 12 hours, I would bear witness to the many lives that the WARF touches in a single day. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NRPA In Warrenton, Virginia, the Warrenton Aquatic and Recreation Facility (WARF) is an essential community lifeline. 34 Parks & Recreation | APRIL 2026 | PARKSANDRECREATION.ORG
Parks Recreation Magazine April 2026: Page 34
