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homepage > park authority > picnics:

Picnic Reservation Frequently Asked Questions

Family enjoying a party held at a picnic shelter.

Q: How do I make a reservation?: You need to download the picnic reservation application and fill in information (please print clearly if hand-written). Complete the information requested on the application and return it by fax, 703-631-2004, or mail it to:
FCPA Park Services Division - Picnic Coordinator
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 927
Fairfax, VA 22035
Q. Do you block or hold any days by phone or email?: We can't block or hold any days without your application and full payment submitted together.
(Please note that if you submit you application and payment by mail it can take up to two weeks to get to us.)
Q. When is the best time to make a reservation?: If you are trying to make a picnic or shelter reservation for weekends or holidays in the spring, summer or fall your best chance to reserve your first choice of date and location is to make your reservation by the beginning of March.
Clemyjontri Park spring or summer reservations you should plan on making a reservation at the beginning of the calendar year.
You should allow 10 days for the complete picnic rental process. This would include submitting a picnic application, processing of your rental payment, and return of a payment receipt with the picnic permit. (Please note that a submission by mail might take at least two weeks to get to the picnic office. Your choice of location, date or time might not be available by the time your mailed application gets to us, please plan accordingly by submitting your request early.)
Q. What does Prime rate or Non-Prime rate mean?: Prime rates are Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
Non-Prime rates are Monday through Thursday
Q. What are the half-day rental hours?: Morning Time Slot: 9:00am- 1:30pm
Evening Time Slot: 3:30pm-8:00pm
Q. Can I reserve for 10:00am- 3:30pm or 1:00pm- 4:00pm and call it a half-day?: We need the time in between the morning and evening half-day hours to allow for cleanup of the area. If you need the area from a time that falls in both the morning and evening time slot you need to reserve for the entire day.
Q. Do all the parks have half-day rentals on the weekends?: Not all parks have half day rentals on the weekends. Only if the park's website lists a fee for a prime-half day rental (rental on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or Holiday) then the park allows for half day rentals on the weekends.
Q. When can I reserve an area for only a half-day rental?: If the park's reservation website lists a half-day rental option you can reserved for the half-day from May1-September 30.
Q. We rent the park every year at the same place, date and time; will I have it next year?: We don't hold, block or reserve every year. Please ensure your reservation by submitting your picnic application with full payment.
Q. When I reserve an area, how long do I have it?: All reservations are for a single day, one time use.
Amphitheaters are rented in 4-hour minimum blocks and then by the hour thereafter.
The volleyball areas are rented by the hour. (Discounted if you reserve a park area in addition)
Q. What do the Sports Bags have in them?: Most bags contain
Soccer Ball
Football
Kickball
Wiffel bat and ball
Pump
Bocce Ball set
Basketball- depending upon if park has basketball court
Volleyball- depending upon if park has a volleyball court
Q. How long is the picnic season?: Reservations may be made as early as the first working day of the New Year. Sites are available for reservation from last week in March through October. (Exception- Water mine canopy - see Lake Fairfax Website for hours of operation)
Q. Is parking included with my reservation?: Reservations do not include parking. Vehicles must park in designated paved and gravel areas only. Parking on the grass is prohibited.
Q. Do any parks allow alcohol, disc jockeys, bands, carnival rides, or pony rides?: All of these items are strictly prohibited.
Q. Do any parks allow amplified sound (microphone, stand-alone speakers or a guitar), dunk tank, moon bounces, inflatable slides?: Fairfax County Park Authority calls these items special requests and they require a park use permit. Park manager's review these special requests and grant them on a case by case basis. There is a 25 dollar fee in addition to the fee for reserving the park area. This fee is for the permission to use various special request items at your event (not to rent the actual equipment). Please note these special requests items on your picnic application, include your 25 dollar payment and we will contact you if your request is granted or denied by the park management.
If you are inquiring about other types of events you wish to host in a Fairfax County Park (fundraising, run/walk) please click on PARK USE PERMITS
Q. What is the inclement weather policy?: The reservation fee for shelters, the gazebo, and canopy areas is not refundable due to inclement weather.
If you have reserved a picnic area (non-sheltered or covered) and it rains on the date and time of your event you are eligible for a full refund. You have 48 hours from the start time of your event to call the picnic reservation line.
Q. What are the change and cancellation policies?: There is a $25 dollar fee to cancel your reservation regardless of when you made it.
There is no charge for changing your date, time or location to another Fairfax County Park, if made more than 30 working days in advance of the reservation date.
With a minimum of 10 working days' notice a change or cancellation shall be granted less a $25 cancellation fee.
10 working days or less notice, you are not eligible to apply your money/current reservation for a change in date, time or location and are not eligible for a refund.
Q. What happens if someone is occupying the area I have reserved?: Show them your permit and ask them to vacate the area. If the site is staffed you may contact the staff for further assistance. At sites that are not staffed you may contact the police at their non-emergency phone number, 703-691-2131.