Despite Shutdown, Langley Fork Park Reopens — For Now

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced Thursday that despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, Langley Fork Park in McLean has reopened and will resume normal operations.

For now.

The temporary barriers at Langley Fork were removed Thursday thanks to a judge's order this week that followed a lawsuit filed by McLean Youth Lacrosse, according to the Washington Post.

• WaPo: McLean Youth Lacrosse Fights Government Shutdown in Court; Langley Fork Park Reopens

The order was not final, according to the Post, and if federal court remains open, attorneys could work toward a permanent solution next week.

Langley Fork Park, located at 6250 Georgetown Pike, sits on federal land but is managed and maintained by the Fairfax County Park Authority thanks to an agreement with the National Park Service, according to a county Web page devoted to the park's master plan.

Because of that, McLean Youth Lacrosse, which counts about 600 children under its umbrella, paid $5,000 to the Fairfax County Park Authority, not the federal government, when it sought a permit to use the fields there, according to the Post.

The reopening of Langley Fork isn't just good news for the young lacrosse players.

The closure of the park also shut its parking lot, which affected visitors to nearby Clemyjontri Park.