Park Authority

By Chase Brown

The cold fall weather is finally starting to move in, and you know what that means. The Striped Bass are here. Striped Bass, or Stripers as most people call them, are a migratory fish that move up and down the East Coast of the United States. During the fall, massive schools of these fish travel up the Potomac River and into the creeks. Stripers can vary in size, the smaller ones which are generally referred to as “schoolies” are usually around 12 to 24 inches.  However, in recent years anglers have pulled out some trophy size Striped Bass from the Potomac with some reaching over 40 inches.

The typical ways to catch these fish are soft plastics, crankbaits, or live minnows. Make sure that you use a jig head that is not too heavy or light, I recommend between a ¼ or ½ oz. depending on the current.  In my experience, Striper seemed to be really drawn to white or silver colors and especially love the movement that a long grub trail lure makes. The color of your jig head isn’t as important to Striper, but I typically go for red, white, or standard lead color. Live baitfish are an excellent choice as well for catching Stripers so if you can get hold of some bullhead minnows or shiners you should have success. I find that a 3/0 size circle hook with a ¼ oz. weight attached a foot above the hook is the best choice for fishing your live bait.

Areas such as creek mouths and deep channels are excellent places to find Stripers holding up. You can find a lot of success in areas where the Potomac meets up with a creek as the Striper are typically moving in and out of these areas on a regular basis. The best time to target these fish are on an incoming tide so make sure you go online and find a tide chart for your area. Striper tend to travel in schools so if you can catch one then you can usually catch a handful. Remember the technique you used to catch the first one and there should be more to follow. Deep channels along shallow riverbanks are another area that Striper tend to frequent since the deep water gives them some cover and allows them to pick off baitfish as they move out of the shallows. Fairfax County provides some excellent fishing spots to target Stripers around the Alexandria and Mount Vernon area. Any of the local creeks around you that feed into the Potomac are great places for you to try to target Stripers. Take a drive along the George Washington Parkway and you will be sure to find some great areas to try and land one of these amazing fish.

By Chase Brown

Dust off your tackle box and take the tags off that brand-new fishing pole you got during the holidays because warmer weather is on the horizon and with it comes the early spring fishing season!

Here’s what you need to know on what to do before your first fishing trip this year, as well as tips and information on the fish you can expect to catch. If you have any specific questions about fishing in the area or fishing in general, please do not hesitate to reach out to our FCPA Fishing Coordinator Dan Grulke at dan.grulke@fairfaxcounty.gov. Also, be sure to go online and check out some of the fishing classes we will be offering this year at some of your favorite local parks!

Maintaining your equipment is incredibly important when it comes to fishing, and it can save you a lot of money if done properly and in a timely manner.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for the upcoming fishing season.

1. Gather all your gear together including all rods, reels, tackle boxes, nets and any miscellaneous lures you may have lying around.
2. Grab your rods and make sure each eye on each rod is properly secured and lines up properly.
3. Take your fishing reels and ensure that each one is cranking smoothly and that you have taken off any fishing line from last year. If your fishing reel is tough to crank and feels sort of locked up, then you may have to spray some lubricant inside the grooves to eliminate some of the rust or any gunk that may have built up inside over time. Be sure to change out your line before your first fishing trip this year if it has been on your reel for over a few months, as fishing line tends to lose its strength and become brittle after it sits on the reel for a while.
4. Make sure that you check for any bait or food in your tackle box that may have been left in it over the winter. For parents, I recommend you check your child’s tackle box for leftover food or bait every time they come home from fishing. I cannot tell you how many times I have found month-old hot dogs and bread that have led to entire tackle boxes needing to be thrown away.
5. Examine all your lures and hooks for signs of rust or wear. Use a sharpening stone on any of them that you think may need to be sharpened. If you find out that a lot of your lures or hooks have started to rust, then you most likely have an issue with water or moisture getting into your tackle box. I would try to locate any holes or breaks in your tackle box, and then think about moving it to a different, dryer location.
6. Check your fishing nets for gashes that may have been made from the previous year and examine them for rust if they are made of metal. Depending on what fish you are targeting, you may be able to get by with a few small gashes in your net, but you can make a quick fix with some thick sewing string and a needle, if you think it is necessary.

Now that you have some steps to get yourself prepared for the season, let us talk about some of the fish you may be targeting out there!

Spring is the time of year when largemouth bass begin their spawning rituals and tend to become highly aggressive. It is also a great time of the year for finding a trophy fish, since a lot of the females are pretty fattened up to prepare for spawning. Typically, you can find pairs of fish along grass beds guarding their nests from intruders and attacking anything that gets too close. In my opinion, this makes for an easy and enjoyable day of fishing, since you do not have to put too much effort into choosing the right lure. If it can fit in their mouth and you cast it close to their nesting site, you should have no problem hooking up with a bass this time of year.

Another reason that spring is a favorite time of year among anglers is the migratory species you can find in the Potomac River, such as striped bass and yellow perch. I had an article that previously talked about striped bass and their fall migration up the river , but they will also make a smaller migration down the river in the early springtime. Typically, there are not as many as there are in the fall, but these fish always seem to come back when the weather starts to warm up. The warmer waters also signal the beginning of the yellow perch migration. These fish spawn in rivers and creeks during this time of year, just like the largemouth bass. The yellow perch, not to be confused with the white perch that inhabits this area year-round, has some distinguishable features that separate it from its counterparts, including its color, which is typically greenish yellow with black bands along its sides.  

I have my best luck with yellow perch when fishing small soft plastics along areas with lots of rocks. Just like the largemouth bass, these fish are very aggressive during their spawning season and will strike at just about anything that crosses their path.

For those of you looking to experience fishing for the first time or looking to catch anything that will take your bait, panfish is the way to go.

Virginia has numerous species of panfish but the most popular three are bluegill, sunfish and crappie. They can be found in just about any body of water around the area and are a fun and easy species to catch that will be sure to brighten anyone’s fishing day.

All you need for these fish are some fishing line, a hook and bait, such as worms or crickets. Panfish typically travel in schools too, so where you find one you should be able to find a dozen.

Fishing for panfish is perfect for beginners or any angler looking for a relaxing day on the water. Although they are not the biggest fish by any means, they have some beautiful colors and patterns and a decent-sized one will put up a good fight on a lightweight fishing rod.

Good luck to all of you this fishing season, and I hope that this article helps you land that trophy catch this spring!

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that Observatory Park at Turner Farm has been designated an International Dark Sky Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International. The designation recognizes the park’s commitment to protecting the night sky through responsible outdoor lighting, community partnerships and public education.

Observatory Park at Turner Farm is one of only a few locations near Washington, D.C., where visitors can experience a relatively dark night sky. The designation highlights the park’s role as a regional resource for astronomy education and light pollution awareness.

"This designation reflects the Fairfax County Park Authority’s commitment to protecting natural resources that directly support the health and well-being of our community," said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. "By reducing light pollution, we are supporting wildlife, conserving energy and creating spaces where people can slow down, look up and feel connected to something bigger. That experience matters, and it is core to the mission of our parks."

To mark the designation, FCPA will host a Dark Sky education and celebration event on Friday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. at Observatory Park at 925 Springvale Road in Great Falls. The event will include remarks from project partners, educational activities and opportunities to observe the night sky at this unique facility. In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Colvin Run Mill Education Center at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls.

Located about 16 miles west of Washington, D.C., the park benefits from lower surrounding light levels than much of the region. Its history includes use as a former U.S. Army Map Service and Defense Mapping Agency site, which contributed to early global positioning system development.

"Urban Night Sky Places like Observatory Park at Turner Farm demonstrate that meaningful night sky protection is possible even near major metropolitan areas," said Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places program manager for DarkSky International. "This designation reflects strong community support and long-term commitment to responsible lighting and public education."

Earning the Designation

To earn the Urban Night Sky Place designation, FCPA and its partners completed several key actions, including:

• Implementing a Lighting Management Plan focused on targeted, low-level and warm-spectrum lighting.
• Securing approval of a special lighting ordinance for a half-mile perimeter around the observatory in November 2023.
• Retrofitting park lighting with DarkSky-compliant fixtures and 2,700K bulbs.
• Expanding education and outreach programs related to astronomy and light pollution.

The park is operated in partnership with the Analemma Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering science education through astronomy. Since the roll top Observatory opened in 2016, nearly 23,000 visitors have participated in public programs, viewings and classes.

Visiting Observatory Park at Turner Farm

The park, equipped with a playground and picnic pavilion, is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Observatory access is available through public viewing nights, registered FCPA programs and permitted events. Visitors attending evening programs are encouraged to use red-light flashlights or device settings to protect night vision and wildlife.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a voluntary program that encourages communities, parks and protected areas to preserve dark skies through effective lighting policies and public education. Observatory Park at Turner Farm now joins more than 250 International Dark Sky Places worldwide working to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky.

Learn more by visiting the Dark Sky website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to announce Nathan Kennedy as the winner of the People’s Choice Award for the 2026 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest. His captivating photo, taken at Huntley Meadows Park, received the highest number of online votes submitted by residents from across the county. 

As the winner, Kennedy will receive a $100 gift card, sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

The 2026 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest invited park enthusiasts of all ages to kick off the new year by exploring local parks and capturing their adventures through photography. The contest was a tremendous success, with more than 250 photo submissions and more than 500 residents participating in the People’s Choice Award voting.

This year’s inspiring First Hike submissions showcased the diverse landscapes, wildlife and recreational opportunities found throughout the Fairfax County park system, as well as precious moments that captured the enjoyment of both people and pets as they visited our parks. To view a full collection of this year’s photo submissions, visit the First Hike Fairfax 2026 Flickr album.

Thank you to all our participants for their enthusiastic support of this year’s First Hike event. We encourage everyone to continue exploring and enjoying our parks throughout 2026. Whether you’re hiking a scenic trail, observing wildlife or simply enjoying a moment of peace in nature, there’s always something new to discover.

First Hike Fairfax is sponsored in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation. For a complete list of winners, visit the First Hike Fairfax website.

About Fairfax County Park Foundation

The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the 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. For more information, visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website.

Join us for Fairfax County’s largest Earth Day celebration!

The annual event, which draws thousands of visitors, will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. Applications are now being accepted at the Earth Day Festival Vendor/Exhibitor Information webpage for vendors and exhibitors to participate.

All applications must be received by Monday, Feb. 23, and rolling notifications of acceptance will be made through March 2. The application process for food vendors only, however, has already closed.

In the spirit of Earth Day and the Park Authority’s dedication to preserving our natural resources and encouraging positive stewardship practices, we request that all food vendors, merchandise vendors and exhibitors plan to provide Earth-friendly utensils, handouts and giveaways.

For more information and about the event, hosting a booth and to submit your application, visit the Earth Day Festival Vendor/Exhibitor website.

Don’t miss out on an enjoyable night out for the entire family — roll out to an upcoming Family Skate and Dance Night at Franconia Rec Center. These family friendly events feature fun themes every month in the Rec Center’s gym.

Enjoy music by the guest DJ and themes reflected in the festive decorations. Food, snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Grab your favorite people and bring your own wheels (quad or inline skates) or dancing shoes and come out to enjoy this community event.

Skaters of all ages can join in the fun and build confidence on wheels. Tickets for everyone including skaters, dancers, spectators and chaperones cost $10 and can be purchased online in advance or at the door. Check out the exciting lineup and plan your outfits accordingly:

• Saturday, Jan. 17, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: Sports Jersey Night
• Saturday, Feb. 21, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: Disco Blast Back to the '70s
• Saturday, March 21, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: St. Patrick’s Day

Register for a Family Skate Night

Visit the Franconia Rec Center’s website for more information and to stay up to date on future skate nights and other events at the Rec Center.

Interested in skate night? Host your very own private skate night to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions in the Franconia Rec Center gym. Call 703-922-9841 to inquire.

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website or call 703-922-9841. 

The new year brings opportunities to start fresh and on the right track. Make a resolution to improve your health and wellness at Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers. Get a 15% discount when you purchase annual membership online, or in person at our Rec Centers throughout January.

Membership provides access to all Fairfax County Rec Centers and their Fitness Centers, pools, drop-in group fitness classes, and other amenities depending on location. The variety of options to help you achieve your health goals range from traditional cardio and weight training to swimming or water walking to group activities, such as drop-in exercise including cycle, yoga, Pilates and BODYPUMPTM; or sports activities, such as basketball, pickleball and racquetball.

Members also enjoy discounts on drop-in child care, as well as the ability to use other amenities based on location, such as the indoor tracks at Spring Hill Rec Center and Mount Vernon Rec Center and public ice skating sessions or indoor rock climbing at Mount Vernon Rec Center.

View the membership sale flyer

Bring a friend to your local Rec Center and make your commitment to fitness that much stronger. Additional discounts are offered for those that live in the same household with proof of residency. Stop by a Rec Center today to learn more. For more information, please contact FCPARECenters@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Prepare for laughter, learning and memories that last a lifetime with Fairfax County Park Authority camps. Back by popular demand, split registration for 2026 spring and summer camps returns. 

Watch the Camps video below:

The opening date for camp registration depends on the location where the camps take place:

• Green location camps — Register starting Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. (add to calendar)
• Blue location camps — Register starting Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. (add to calendar)

This strategy helps prevent our online platform from being overwhelmed by the number of devices logging into the system at the same time and supports an efficient registration process for all users.

The Park Authority has prepared several resources for helping families prepare for the upcoming spring and summer camp registration, including:

• 2026 Camp Guide: Explore the full suite of spring and summer camp offerings.
• My Summer Camp Planner: Download to make notes of registration codes and open registration dates to track your top choices.
• Camp Spreadsheet: Sort and filter available camps and Extended Care offerings for children by their age, the week, the type of camp and the location.
• Location Map: Review the location map and note if your location is #TeamGreen or #TeamBlue.
• House Account: Create or update/recover your house account to make sure you are ready in advance of registration opening.
• Subscribe to E-News: Make sure you are on the list to get email updates.
• Camp Search: Use this online system to search for camps and register when the time comes.

The Park Authority offers camp experiences for any interest. From outdoor adventures and sports, to arts, acting and music, to STEM and chess, explore our extensive list of exciting camps opportunities for all ages. Make those wish lists, set your clocks and get ready to register in February!

Stay tuned to the Camps website for the most current camp information. Review the Summer Camp Registration FAQs section for more details about the registration split and follow the camp conversation on social media with #FCPACamps.

Please note that waitlists open on the following dates:

• Green location Spring camps: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Blue location Spring camps: 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 6
• All Summer camps: 10 a.m. on Friday, May 1

If you have any questions, please contact FCPA Camps team at camps@fairfaxcounty.gov. Media inquiries may be directed to the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Braving the cold, Fairfax County residents welcomed 2026 by getting outside. Hundreds of participants of all ages explored the Fairfax County Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails, capturing moments from their first hikes of the year for the 2026 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest.

The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest is jointly sponsored by the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation as a way for residents to begin a new year with fitness and outdoor activity, while enjoying the experience with friends, neighbors and family. This year, more than 250 contestants submitted photos. The results are spectacular! See the complete collection of submissions on the First Hike Fairfax 2026 photo album Flickr page.

The contest received entries in four categories: Scenery and Landscapes, People, Wildlife, and Pets. A “Best in Show” prize was awarded in each category. Two at-large awards – the Director’s Choice and the Judges’ Choice – were selected by Park Authority leadership. 

The following winners will receive gift cards to the Fairfax County Park Authority provided by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The prizes are redeemable toward the cost of most Park Authority programs or Rec Center Memberships.

Director’s Choice Award

Judges’ Choice Award 

Best in Show (Nature and Landscapes) 

Best in Show (People)

Best in Show (Wildlife)

Best in Show (Pets)

A committee reviewed submissions and selected finalists for the 2026 People’s Choice Award; this award will be selected by popular vote.

Voting is now open! Cast your vote by visiting the voting webpage. Voting is open through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 15 and will receive a $100 Park Authority gift card.

"Starting the year outdoors sets a positive tone for the months ahead," said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. "Our parks provide welcoming spaces where people can move, reflect and build a deeper connection to nature all year long."

For more information about the photo contest, visit the First Hike Fairfax webpage. For questions, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the 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. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County Park Authority website.

About Fairfax County Park Foundation

The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the 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. For more information, visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a public meeting to present design plans for a trail that will provide access to tidal wetlands from Martin Luther King Jr. Park in the Gum Springs area of Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting will take place in person on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Gum Springs Community Center, located at 8100 Fordson Road, and streamed online.

Details on how to participate virtually are available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Trail project website.

Following the meeting, the Park Authority will accept public comments on the proposed interpretation of the site until 5 p.m. on Feb. 13. Comments can be submitted online via the project website.

The trail will begin on the western side of the playground and include a paved asphalt trail transitioning to a boardwalk, ending with an observation platform within the wetlands. The total length of the trail will be approximately 642 feet.

Prior to creating a conceptual design, the Park Authority also completed cultural resource studies to ensure the preservation of natural, cultural, and historical resources in the area and to inform interpretive signage that supports the educational and outreach objectives of the Park Authority.

For additional information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the 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. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.