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Explore the Parks on Old-Fashioned Guided Wagon Tours

Tractor-drawn wagon rides, long a favorite activity at Frying Pan Farm Park, can now be experienced at three other Fairfax County Park Authority sites. Climb aboard a converted hay wagon and enjoy an interpretive tour to the Potomac River at Riverbend Park, a trip to the wetland at Huntley Meadows, or a relaxing ride around the grounds at Sully Historic Site.

Turf Field Improvements Move Forward at Linway Terrace Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin making improvements to Linway Terrace Park in McLean, Va. The project is ready to start and will include the conversion of existing grass field #1 to a synthetic turf field. The conversion will result in significant improvements in field condition, reduce maintenance costs and increase field capacity. The park improvements will also include a trail, storm drainage facilities, landscaping and related improvements. The park is located at 6246 Linway Terrace in McLean.

Fairfax County Park Foundation Announces Recipients of 2010 Eakin Philanthropy Awards

The Fairfax County Park Foundation announced the 2010 recipients of the Eakin Philanthropy Awards, honoring the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation and Joseph Thelin and Tara Mooney for their generous financial support of park programs and capital projects. The Park Foundation is a charitable organization which supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet community needs for park land, facilities and services.

Park Foundation Names Longworth to Executive Director Post

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board has announced the selection of Roberta A. (Bobbi) Longworth to the position of Park Foundation executive director. Longworth fills the post vacated by retiring Director Paul Baldino who will leave in early September. Longworth, a certified fundraising executive and a longtime county employee will transfer from her current Library Foundation executive director position into the Park Foundation position.

Park Authority Names Jean R. Packard Stewardship Award Winner

Jean R. Packard, a well-known Fairfax County environmental activist, past elected-official and member of numerous citizen organizations, has been named the recipient of the 2010 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award by the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. The award, named for the late Sally B. Ormsby, herself a citizen steward, recognizes individuals whose actions embody the spirit and values of stewardship and result in tangible benefits for the environment and the community.

Parks Listening Forum In Providence District Set For September 16th

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a Listening Forum on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 7 p.m. at Oak Marr RECenter. The public is invited to participate in an open discussion about parks and recreation in the community with Park Authority Director John Dargle, Jr.

Cross County Trail Near Dulles Toll Road Remains Closed

Due to construction delays caused by record snowfall last winter, the section of the Cross County Trail that passes beneath the Dulles Toll Road in Difficult Run Stream Valley Park will remain closed until June 2011. A new rail bridge is being built to carry passengers over the trail as part of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project.

Parking Lot, Building Improvements Begin at Spring Hill

Two significant capital projects are underway at Spring Hill RECenter in McLean, VA and the surrounding park, and will provide important site improvements at this popular recreation spot. The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin work on both parking lot and building improvements this month. Although temporary closures of the facilities and park have started, it is anticipated that some disruption to parking and traffic flow will occur during the project.

Public Input Sought - Great Parks, Great Communities Long Range Park Plan Emerges

The Fairfax County Park Authority has unveiled its draft long range park plan, a document that will help guide future parkland acquisition, facility development and resource stewardship through 2020. The plan was developed through the Great Parks, Great Communities (GPGC) initiative that brought members of the community to several workshops and solicited public input from a variety of stakeholders.

Popular Virginia Indian Festival Returns to Riverbend Park

After a two-year hiatus the Virginia Indian Festival is returning to Riverbend Park on Saturday, September 11, 2010, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival will be held rain or shine and will feature members from eight tribes native to Virginia - Chickahominy Tribe, Monacan Nation, Upper Mattaponi Tribe, Rappahannock Tribe, Pamunkey Tribe, Mattaponi, and Tauxenent who will share their culture, history and traditions with park visitors. The day will be filled with hands-on activities appropriate for the entire family.

Parks Included in New Certified Community Wildlife Habitat

The Greater Mason District Area in Fairfax County, VA recently earned certification as the fourth largest Community Wildlife Habitat in the nation. The National Wildlife Federation’s (NWF) Certified Wildlife Habitat program recognizes individuals and organizations who add features to their backyards, gardens and balconies that attract wildlife. Hidden Oaks Nature Center at Annandale Community Park, Green Spring Gardens and Mason District Park are all included in the certified area.

Braddock History Comes to Life at Oak Hill Celebration

Working closely with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to co-sponsor Oak Hill History Day. This free program, a celebration of local history, is set for Saturday, October 16, 2010 from noon to 5 p.m. at historic Oak Hill located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale.

Park Authority Selects 2010 Elly Doyle Park Service Award Honorees

Every year it seems to get more difficult to select recipients of the Park Authority’s highest volunteer service awards. The caliber of the volunteer nominees continues to increase and choosing those who rise to the very top is a challenge faced annually by Award Committee members. The Park Authority Board’s Award Committee has reviewed the applications and selected the 2010 Elly Doyle Park Service Award recipients.

Park Authority Seeks Public Comment on Acquisition of Lily Ruckstuhl Property

The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking public comment on the acquisition of parkland in the Providence District referred to locally as the Lily Ruckstuhl property. The Park Authority is currently working with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust to acquire seven acres of residential land located on Idylwood Road in the Falls Church area of Fairfax County.

Lake Accotink Emptied; Work on Dam Continues

Repair work on the dam at Lake Accotink Park is moving forward. The repairs, mandated by the state and funded through park bonds, can proceed more quickly now that the lake has been completely drained. The project at the Fairfax County Park Authority site is being managed by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES).

Artist’s Rendition of a Run-Away Slave at Sully Historic Site

In 1807, Godfrey, a slave owned by Richard Bland Lee, ran away from Sully. Mr. Lee reacted by posting a runaway advertisement, as was common practice for the day. Richard Bland Lee was the first Congressman representing northern Virginia in the late 1700s and built Sully in 1794. In the ad, he describes what Godfrey looked like, what he wore, and even that he rode off on a mule that had been recently shod. Using the information from the ad, and an African American male model, this graphite drawing represents an artistic impression of Godfrey.

Learn About County Parks You Haven’t Visited Via Podcast

Have you ever wondered what’s in those Fairfax County parks you haven’t visited? Now you can listen to sounds of the parks while learning about what you’ll find when you visit.

Park Authority Begins Celebration of Agency’s 60th Anniversary

The Fairfax County Park Authority began marking its 60th anniversary, kicking off the year-long celebration with a resolution presented by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last Tuesday. The Park Authority was created by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on December 5, 1950 under a provision of the Virginia Code.

Park Authority Unveils Twelve Steps For Health Campaign

With the New Year just around the corner, many of us will resolve to take better care of ourselves and reengage in healthful activities. To address this desire, the fitness experts at the Fairfax County Park Authority have created a new fitness protocol that introduces a new healthy lifestyle habit each month.