Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director
Fairfax County Park Authority

What We Do

The Park Authority Mission is to enrich quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

Department Resources

Related Resources

Earth Day Festival

Spring is on the way and that means Earth Day is right around the corner! Mark your calendar and make your plans to join Fairfax County’s largest, family-friendly Earth Day extravaganza at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 20. Celebrate Earth Day with a fantastic time filled with games, entertainment, food and a variety of hands-on crafts, exhibits and activities. Activities will take place all day long from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. There is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle. There’s more than enough fun to go around! Meet WUSA-9 meteorologist Topper Shutt and his team, see the Eco9 hybrid production truck and learn how to report your own weather forecast. See our farmland friends from Frying Pan Farm Park and learn about local plant and wildlife. Enjoy fun experiments that will increase your understanding of the water cycle and other natural processes going on all around us. Challenge yourself with the popular Earth Day obstacle course or test your inner-outdoorsman with Nerf archery, ax throwing, fishing and camping skills. You can also participate in a wide variety of outdoor fitness demonstrations from yoga to bootcamps, and even try our outdoor synthetic ice skating rink. Earth Day will also have a full slate of live entertainment, a touch-a-truck exhibit, food trucks and a craft beer garden. For those who may need to find a calmer and more relaxed way of celebrating the day, or who may just need to take a break from the excitement, there will also be a sensory tent with toys, fidgets and crafts. That’s just for starters! With so much to do, learn and experience, it’s an event you’re not going to want to miss. Keep up-to-date with the latest event details at the Earth Day website. See you at Earth Day on April 20! Download Flyer Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, in Chantilly, Virginia. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. The 2024 Earth Day Festival is made possible in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships. Visit the Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.
Equity Survey
The Fairfax County Park Authority is reaching out to the countywide community seeking a better understanding of residents’ experience with the park system and to identify potential barriers that may be limiting their ability to more fully take advantage of the programs and amenities offered. The survey, offered in nine languages through the county’s community engagement platform Public Input, will be open through Monday, April 1. "The Park Authority has intentionally been applying an equity lens to our park system in order to ensure that the accessibility and variety of our program offerings align with the present-day values and interests of our community,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “This latest outreach effort is important to help us identify the barriers that yet need to be overcome such as economic, cultural, transportation and others so that we can continue to make the benefits of parks accessible to everyone." In 2022, the Fairfax County Park Authority began a comprehensive review of its fee-based revenue model with the objective of identifying a new path forward toward increasing the equity of access to county park and recreation programming. The initial findings of the Park Authority Equity Study, coupled with a History of the Park Authority, were presented to both the Park Authority Board and Board of Supervisors in late January. The results of this latest survey, combined with further analysis of the recommendations presented are anticipated to be presented to the Park Authority Board and Board of Supervisors in fall 2024. Take the Equity Survey Please contact the Public Information Office with any questions by emailing Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Woodland Stewardship Education Center
Calling all nature enthusiasts, explorers and curious minds! Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the brand-new Woodlands Stewardship Education Center opens its doors at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. During spring break (March 24–31), embark on a journey of discovery and environmental stewardship that will leave you inspired and amazed! Visitors will be able to enjoy: Interactive Learning: Dive into a world of wonder as you explore the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, designed to captivate adults and children alike with its immersive exhibits and hands-on activities. Discovering Environmental Stewardship: Learn about the principles of environmental stewardship that are shaping the way we interact with and preserve our natural environment, making a world of difference for future generations. Interactive Experiences: Try out new activities and experiences, including the Learning Observational Outdoor Pod (LOOP), where you can connect with nature in a unique and meaningful way. Plus, discover state-of-the-art digital screens in the kiosk that bring the natural world to life like never before. Expert Guidance: Friendly staff will be on site to answer your questions, provide insights and guide you through your exploration of the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center. The spring break schedule for the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center is as follows: Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, 3-7 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, March 29, 3-7 p.m. Sunday, March 31, 2-6 p.m. The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center is located at 5040 Walney Road in Chantilly. For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center website.
Rec-PAC
Get ready for an exciting summer with Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2024 Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children) program. This six-week structured recreation program engages children in grades 1-6 in fun weekly, themed sessions featuring fitness, indoor and outdoor games, team sports, nature, crafts, special events, talent shows and play sessions. From June 24 through Aug. 1, Rec-PAC will be hosted at elementary schools across Fairfax County. Rec-PAC is partnering with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and Fairfax County Public Schools to provide daily breakfast and lunch at all locations this summer. Registration for the program is now open. Scholarships are available for qualified individuals and applications may be submitted online for the program. Please visit the Rec-PAC website for program details, scholarship applications and more. Register for a Rec-PAC program We’re Hiring! Every year, Rec-PAC staff play a critical role in delivering a quality experience for our participants. Applications are now being accepted for a variety of positions. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time Rec-PAC begins. Applications are currently being accepted online. Job seekers are also welcome to attend any of the four remaining open hire sessions (May 8, 31 and June 3, 5) to interview. For more information about summer employment with Rec-PAC, visit the Rec-PAC jobs webpage. Information Regarding Rec-PAC in 2025 The proposed FY 2025 Fairfax County budget includes a plan to realign Fairfax County summer camp programs with overlapping functions and responsibilities, including Rec-PAC (currently managed by the Park Authority) and Camp Fairfax (currently managed by Neighborhood & Community Services). If adopted, this change will be effective for summer 2025 and WILL NOT impact summer 2024 programming for Rec-PAC or Camp Fairfax. If you have questions about this proposal, join the Park Authority and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services for a community information session on Thursday, March 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Pennino Building – Room 206 A (12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax). For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option is available. Additional information about the proposed realignment and details regarding the upcoming information session are available online.
Photography
Are you looking for a fun and meaningful summer internship that will build your resume and provide you with results-oriented work experience? Apply to the Park Authority’s new structured intern program for summer 2024. The FCPA summer internship program is designed to increase community engagement in park, recreation, natural, cultural, historical and/or business operations professions, while providing an additional pathway to hiring for individuals interested in seasonal, part-time and full-time employment at the Park Authority. The internship program is open to high school and college students, recent graduates, individuals looking to make a career change and all others interested in gaining valuable experience with the Park Authority. FCPA is hiring in all areas of the Park Authority including the following: Marketing and communications Event planning History Nature Horticulture Access and inclusion Business administration (IT, HR, finance) Outdoor education FCPA offers both paid and unpaid internship opportunities. Interested applicants are encouraged to explore and apply for open internship opportunities. Visit the Internship Opportunities website to learn more about the program, available positions and how to submit an application. If you are interested in a business area that does not currently have an internship advertised, please contact us at FCPAinternships@fairfaxcounty.gov.

We Want to Hear From You!

We’re working to enhance equity in all aspects of our park system – including access to park programs. We’d like to know about your experience with parks and any barriers that may be preventing you from taking full advantage of the programs, services and amenities we provide. Five minutes of your time is all it takes!


 

Park News

 

Park Authority Blog: Our Stories

park authority blog

FCPA Nationally Acclaimed

FCPA Nationally Acclaimed

 

Featured Videos

Fairfax Virtual Assistant