Photo Highlights

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Winners Named in 2022 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest

January 12, 2022

On Jan. 1-2, 2022, the Fairfax County Park Authority joined park systems across the country to encourage everyone to start 2022 with a hike.

Water Mine Goes to the Dogs in End-of-Summer Celebration

September 16, 2021

As the Lake Fairfax Park Water Mine closed for the season to humans, dogs got their chance to take a plunge, chase tennis balls in the water and make new canine friends.

Untold Stories: Freedom Hill Draws Family from Near and Far

August 4, 2021

The thirst for history from a more personal vantage point was on full display July 31, 2021, when a large crowd, including family members from several states, park neighbors, members of the Park Authority Board and staff, local officials, and History Commission members, gathered at Freedom Hill Park in Vienna for the inaugural Untold Stories program.

Winners Named in 2021 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest

January 15, 2021

On January 1-3, 2021, the Fairfax County Park Authority joined America’s state parks including Virginia State Parks to encourage everyone to start 2021 with a hike. In Fairfax County, it’s a great way to appreciate more than 450 miles of trails and to set the bar for a new year of fitness and outdoor activity. This year’s contests included special prize amounts of $70 to commemorate the Park…

Oakton HS Students Remove Invasive Plants from Difficult Run

February 12, 2020

On Saturday, February 8, 2020, students from the Oakton High School Environmental Club spent two hours removing invasive shrubs from Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Oakton, VA. The students removed 15 bags of Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) as part of the Fairfax County Park Authority…

Laurel Hill Park Volunteers Honored by Virginia House of Delegates

February 12, 2020

The Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team (PVT) has been honored by the Virginia House of Delegates for its service work on behalf of parks. Delegate Kathy Tran proposed a resolution to honor the group for receiving the Park Authority’s Elly Doyle Service Award in 2019, and she presented it to…

Volunteers Spend Day Off Cleaning Up Rabbit Branch Park

January 22, 2020

On Monday, January 20, 2020, Braddock Supervisor James Walkinshaw, along with the Royal Lake Park Volunteer Team (aka Friends of Royal Lake) engaging more than 60 volunteers, honored Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy with a day of service at Rabbit…

Volunteers Clean Up Lake Accotink Park on MLK Day of Service

January 22, 2020

More than 30 volunteers bundled up and braved the cold to help Lake Accotink Park on this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) sponsored the volunteer clean-up on Monday, January 20, 2020, at the park’s marina. FLAP board members Jim Hickey and…

Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Released at Burke Lake Park

January 16, 2020

On January 12, 2020, more than 500 people gathered at Burke Lake Park in Springfield, VA, to witness the release of a rehabilitated bald eagle. The bird was recovered by the Fairfax County Police Department on December 12, 2019, after a community member saw the bird on a trail near Burke Lake, unable to…

Transurban Adopts Carousel Horse at Lee District Park

December 18, 2019

Lee District community leaders recently honored Transurban, operators of the 495 and 95 express lanes, for significant enrichment of Fairfax County parks through contributions to the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF).

Officials thanked Transurban for its support at a…

Azalea Park Renovations Celebrated by Community, Officials

September 18, 2019

Members of the community, local elected officials, and representatives from the Park Authority gathered in celebration this past Saturday at Azalea Park in Falls Church. This small, neighborhood park has been fully redesigned and, with the collaboration and cooperation of neighbors, has become a wonderful…

Supervisors Honored for Commitment to Summer Concerts

September 16, 2019

Five members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors who are not returning to their current positions after the fall recently were honored by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation for their contributions to the popular Summer Entertainment Series.

For more than 25 years, the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with the Board of…

EQR Volunteers Clean Up Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

April 24, 2019

Thirteen employees from Environmental Quality Resources (EQR), LLC turned out on Friday, April 19, 2019, to provide volunteer cleanup services at Martin Luther King, Jr. Park on Fordson Road in Alexandria, Virginia and Wickford Park on Wickford Drive, also in Alexandria. In cooperation with the Fairfax…

FCPA Signs MOU with Friends of Frying Pan

February 27, 2019

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Thursday, February 21, 2019, to help guide the group’s efforts at the farm in Herndon, Virginia. The signing took place in the…

Burke Lake, Scott’s Run Photos Take Top Honors in First Hike Photo Contest

January 11, 2019

Diane Willen’s sunrise photo of Burke Lake Park was named the People’s Choice Winner in the 2019 First Hike…

Volunteers Help Restore Flood-damaged Trails at Riverbend Park

January 9, 2019

Twenty-one volunteers offered their time and energy to the Fairfax County Park Authority on Thursday, January 3, 2019, to provide much-needed help restoring trails at Riverbend Park.

The park’s trails took a beating in late 2018 from heavy rains that caused flooding and…

FROGS Sign Memorandum of Understanding at Green Spring Gardens

January 9, 2019

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Friday, January 4, 2019, at Green Spring…

Colvin Run Mill Friends Group Signs Agreement with FCPA

January 9, 2019

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and the Friends of Colvin Run Mill (FOCRM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, to govern the group’s efforts at the historic mill in Great Falls, Virginia. The document was signed with a quill at the…

Supervisors Honor Park Authority for National Accreditation

December 5, 2018

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors honored the Fairfax County Park Authority at its meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2018, for its re-accreditation by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA). Becoming accredited is one of the highest benchmarks of excellence that an…

Park Bench Dedication Held for Former Park Director

November 28, 2018

Parks and recreation icon William “Bill” Beckner, who passed away earlier this summer, was remembered fondly and honored on Saturday, November 17, 2018 with a park bench dedicated in his memory at Huntley Meadows Park. Beckner joined the Park Authority in 1977 as the agency’s chief naturalist. Eight years…

Park Authority Opens Renovated Backlick Park

November 20, 2018

Members of the community and local officials gathered this past Saturday to celebrate the Fairfax County Park Authority’s official opening and ribbon cutting at Backlick Park located at 4516 Backlick Road in Annandale, VA. Renovations at the park included installation of a new shelter and picnic tables,…

Monticello Park Dedication Highlights Dog Park, Other Amenities

November 20, 2018

Members of the community, local officials and plenty of pooches gathered this past Saturday to celebrate the Fairfax County Park Authority’s official opening and ribbon cutting at Monticello Park located at 5315 Guinea Road in Burke, VA. The just-completed park features a challenge course, off-leash dog…

Resident Curator Signs Lease for Historic Turner Farmhouse

November 7, 2018

On Thursday, November 1, 2018, Fairfax County’s second Resident Curator was officially approved and appropriate leases signed at Turner Farm Park. Members of the Great Falls community turned out for the lease signing ceremony. Sarah Kirk will serve as the Resident Curator of historic Turner Farmhouse in…

Parks Sign MOU with Friends of Pimmit Barn

October 17, 2018

It’s now official; the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Friends of Pimmit Barn are working together to preserve this community landmark and allow neighbors to enjoy activities at the site. On October 9, 2018, representatives from the Friends group and Park Authority leadership came together to sign a…

National Bike Your Park Day Brings Folks Out

October 17, 2018

The Fairfax County Park Authority joined with Bike Fairfax on September 29, 2018, for National Bike Your Park Day festivities. This celebration invites novice and experienced bicyclists out to local and regional trails for a day of biking. In this case, participants near the Gerry Connolly…

Hidden Oaks Anniversary Celebration Honors Community Groups

October 3, 2018

On Saturday, September 29, 2018, Hidden Oaks Nature Center marked the 10th anniversary of Nature Playce and the park’s limited impact development (LID) parking lot with a free, three-hour celebration. Nature Playce is a one-third acre, unstructured, woodland play area near the…

Board Honors Resource Management Team on Museum Accreditation

October 3, 2018

At its regular meeting on September 26, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board honored five teams within the Resource Management Division on their efforts to maintain the high standards necessary to achieve accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). Colvin Run Mill Historic Site,…

Ribbon Cut on New Griffith Park Playground in Falls Church

October 3, 2018

On Saturday, September 29, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrated the opening of the Griffith Park playground in Falls Church, Virginia.

Funded via voter-approved 2016 park bonds, the $80,000 project replaced outdated equipment with new play elements, interactive panels and swings…

Winners Selected in 2018 Discovery Trail Bike Drawing

October 3, 2018

Park lovers from infants to octogenarians participated in this year’s Fairfax County Park Authority Discovery Trail Map summer activity, and four lucky visitors whose names were selected in a trail-ending drawing will soon receive a new bicycle and safety helmet donated by Spokes, Etc. and Trek through…

New Turf Field Upgrades Dedicated at Nottoway Park

September 19, 2018

On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority cut the ribbon on a newly renovated synthetic turf field at Nottoway Park in Vienna, Va. Local officials and field users gathered to celebrate the completion of Field #4.

This field was closed this past spring to allow for the…

Celebration Honors Partnership with Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund

September 19, 2018

On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Foundation and the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrated the Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund’s (JPMF) 20th Anniversary with a Family Fun Day Celebration at Our Special Harbor in…

Valis Family Golf Learning Center Opened at Pinecrest Golf

September 19, 2018

On Saturday, September 15, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Valis Family Golf Learning Center at Pinecrest Golf Course in Annandale, Va. The expanded facility was named in recognition of Wayne and Angela Valis’ generous donation of a new TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator. The…

New Trackless Train, Picnic Pavilion Dedicated at Clemyjontri Park

August 2, 2018

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) and members of the McLean community gathered on July 28, 2018 for the “inaugural” ride on a new trackless train at Clemyjontri Park, as well as a ribbon cutting for a new picnic…

Bryce Harper All-Star Complex Opened at Fred Crabtree Park

July 19, 2018

On Monday, July 16, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority joined Major League Baseball, the Nationals and the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, plus local players, coaches and dignitaries to dedicate the Bryce Harper All-Star Complex at Fred Crabtree Park in Herndon, Va. Washington Nationals…

Park Foundation Presents More Than $800K to Park Authority

July 11, 2018

At the June 27, 2018 joint board meeting between the Fairfax County Park Authority Board and the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors, representatives of the Park Foundation presented a check in the amount of $811,803.04 to Park…

FROGS Honored with Board of Supervisors Resolution

July 5, 2018

The Friends of Green Spring Gardens, better known as FROGS, were honored for 25 years of service to the Fairfax County Park Authority site with a resolution from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. At an evening concert and celebration at…

Community Celebrates New Hidden Pond Playground & Shelter

June 28, 2018

On Saturday, June 23, 2018, park leaders, staff, volunteers and community members gathered at Hidden Pond Nature Center to celebrate the new playground and picnic shelter. The new nature-themed playground features several structures to accommodate play for ages 2 to 12, including swings for all ages. A…

Ribbon-cutting Marks Completion of Family Recreation Area

June 21, 2018

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Chessie’s Trail at Lee District Family Recreation Area was held on June 16, 2018, as officials, project team members and local children celebrated the completion of the project. Chessie’s Trail was the last component of a robust capital improvement program at the site that…

Sully Historic Site Hosts Children’s Naturalization Ceremony

May 24, 2018

On Tuesday, May 22, 2018, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Washington Field Office held a Children's Citizenship ceremony at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, VA. More than two dozen children recited the oath of citizenship and received certificates at the event, now in its 10th year…

County Leaders Celebrate Opening of Government Center Farmers Market

May 9, 2018

On Thursday, May 3, 2018, County leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of the Government Center Farmers Market in Fairfax, Virginia. Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova rang the bell to mark the market’s official opening at its new location in the grassy median near the entrance…

Ribbon Cut on New Playground at Alexandria’s Bucknell Manor Park

May 9, 2018

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 for the new playground at Bucknell Manor Park in Alexandria, Va.

Bucknell Manor Park now features two play areas to appeal to children of different ages. In addition to the play structures, the facility includes new borders, subsurface…

New Pump Track Opened at Springfield’s Brookfield Park

May 2, 2018

On Saturday, April 28, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority and TrailsforYouth.Org opened a new bicycle pump track at Brookfield Park in Springfield, Virginia. The track is designed to allow riders of a wide range of abilities to maneuver…

Student Poets “Celebrate the Senses” in Springfest Poetry Showcase

April 26, 2018

Winners of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s “Celebrate the Senses!” youth poetry contest were honored on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at the SpringFest Fairfax celebration at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, VA.

In recognition of National Poetry Month in April, the Park…

Springfield Athletic Field Renamed in Honor of Longtime Soccer Coach

April 18, 2018

On Saturday, April 14, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority renamed South Run District Park Athletic Field #5 in honor of Jack Nolan, a longtime coach, leader and advocate of youth soccer in the Springfield District. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Mr. Nolan served as a coach for several…

Parks, REI celebrate new directional signs on the Cross County Trail

April 18, 2018

On Friday,April 13, 2018, Braddock District Supervisor John Cook, Park Authority Executive Director Kirk Kincannon and Park Foundation Executive Director Roberta Longworth joined REI Regional Partnership and Philanthropy Manager Matt Liddle as new wayfinding signs were installed along the Gerry Connolly Cross…

A New Birthday Party Shelter is Coming to Clemyjontri Park

December 20, 2017

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Friday, December 8, 2017, for a new birthday party shelter at Clemyjontri Park in McLean, Virginia.

The shelter is being fully funded thanks to grants from the McLean Community Foundation, the Rotary…

Park Authority and Pathways Sign Partnership Agreement

December 20, 2017

The Fairfax County Park Authority signed an agreement with ServiceSource's Pathways to Careers initiative on December 13, 2017, in an effort to provide adults with disabilities internship opportunities in programs and activities operated by FCPA. The…

Ribbon-Cutting Marks Opening of New Burke Lake Golf Clubhouse

December 6, 2017

On, Saturday, December 2, 2017, County leaders and golf enthusiasts celebrated the opening of the new Burke Lake Golf Clubhouse with a ribbon-cutting on the new building. The opening is the latest phase of a $6.6 million redevelopment project,…

County’s First Resident Curator Signs Lease for Historic Stempson House

December 6, 2017

On Tuesday, December 5, 2017, the Fairfax County Park Authority signed a lease with Stephen McCullough as part of the new Resident Curator Program. McCullough will now serve as the Resident Curator of historic Stempson House in Lorton,…

Dorothy McAuliffe Visits Reston Farmers Market for Check Presentation

October 31, 2017

On, Saturday, October 28, 2017, Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe was on hand at the Reston Farmers Market as Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem) President Patrick Sturdivant presented a $15,000 check to the Wholesome Wave “VA Fresh Match Program.” Anthem staff also volunteered…

County Leaders Welcome New Owners at Historic Oak Hill's Open House

October 25, 2017

On, Saturday, October 21, 2017, Historic Oak Hill in Annandale opened its doors to the public for its annual Open House. Members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Park Authority welcomed new owners Joe and Laura Braceland to the neighborhood presenting them…

Tysons Park Renamed for Former Planning Commissioner Ken Lawrence

October 18, 2017

On, Saturday, October 14, 2017, current and former Fairfax County leaders joined family and friends to rename a Tysons park in honor of former Fairfax County Planning Commissioner Ken Lawrence, who passed away in December 2016.

Jones Branch Fields and Arbor Row Stream Valley Park…

Volunteers Improve Banks Park for National Public Lands Day

October 4, 2017

On Saturday, September 30, 2017, more than 25 volunteers participated in a work day at Olander and Margaret Banks Neighborhood Park in Alexandria, Virginia as part of National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Local residents, members of the Banks Family, Park Authority staff members, Dr. Cynthia…

American Pride on Display in New Lee District RECenter Mural

September 29, 2017

A new mural at the Lee District RECenter natatorium was officially unveiled on Thursday, September 28, 2017. This sweeping mural shows the grandeur of the nation’s Capital and pays homage to veterans.

Artist Tim Grant painted this mural during the RECenter’s summer 2017 maintenance…

Community Celebrates Opening of South Run Playground

September 21, 2017

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the new playground at South Run District Park on Saturday, September 16, 2017 to mark completion of the new playground in Springfield, VA.

The park’s old playground was demolished to make way for a new play area that features a playground, tot…

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