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!

Come enjoy the show at the county’s largest Earth Day extravaganza – the Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2024 Earth Day Festival – from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 20, at the Sully Historic Site.

Since 1970, Earth Day has been a worldwide tradition for celebrating, discovering, protecting and preserving the natural wonders around us. For years, the Park Authority has blended a wide range of entertainment, exhibits, animals, activities and games with opportunities for discovery and exploration to foster continued enjoyment of and connection to the outdoors.

This year’s event boasts an incredible lineup of local artists and performers providing live entertainment for kids and adults of all ages. Headlining acts will include The Recycling Pirates, Kevin Elam and Friends (folk music) and The Sonic Boom (rock ‘n’ roll). We’ll also be joined by several special guests, including the tenacious Topper Shutt and the WUSA9 weather team, and the National Wildlife Foundation’s Ranger Rick.

With so much to do, learn and experience, this year’s Earth Day Celebration is one you will not want to miss! Individual admission is free regardless of age. There is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle. For complete festival information, visit the Earth Day website.

Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly, Virginia. For more information, visit the Sully Historic Site website or call 703-437-1794.

View the Earth Day flyer

This popular event is sponsored by 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 that supplement tax dollars to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities and services. Visit the Park Foundation website, or call 703-324-8582.

The temperature is starting to rise as summer approaches, so don’t miss out on a prime opportunity to secure discounted season passes to the Park Authority’s Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole! Discount passes are on sale through May 27.

The Water Mine offers fun for the whole family! Race down exciting water slides, relax in the 725-foot lazy river, play in the spray and showers of the water playground, compete with your friends along the log walk obstacle course, or spend time with toddlers enjoying gentle bubblers, fountains and pint-sized slides in the Tenderfoot Pond. All ages can find something to enjoy in this Old West-themed water park.

Season passes offer savings of more than 60% on daily admission prices — the more you visit, the more you save. Season passholders also experience faster entry and can purchase guest passes at a discounted rate. Get these sale prices while they last: $111 for a single person, $177 for a family of two and $65 for each additional person (ages 2 and younger enter for free).

Take advantage of this gold rush season by purchasing your passes online or by calling 703-246-5929.

Buy your Water Mine Passes

The park opens on Saturday, May 25.

We will see you this summer at The Water Mine at Lake Fairfax Park located1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. Learn more by visiting The Water Mine website.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation recognized the contributions of the McLean Youth Soccer Association, Leidos and the Embassy and Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates for contributions to the Fairfax County park system for which they were honored with the 2022 Eakin Philanthropy Award. This was the first in-person gathering of the partnership since the virtual award ceremony held in 2022.

The ongoing and generous contributions of this partnership have made possible the installation of a synthetic turf field at Holladay Field next to Spring Hill Elementary School. The new field includes a full-sized rectangular soccer field available for football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, field hockey and small-sided soccer. Landscape improvements, including two underground storm water management facilities, a bleacher pad, access trail and landscape improvements were also part of the project.

“This particular Eakin Philanthropy award demonstrates that community improvements are possible through public private partnerships with Fairfax County parks,” said FCPF Executive Director Bobbi Longworth. “Together, we can leverage strengths to help improve parks and programs that benefit our neighbors in need!”

FCPF’s Eakin Philanthropy Award recognizes visionary, financial and material contributions that significantly enhance Fairfax County parks. The award is named in honor of LeRoy Eakin Sr. who donated 14 acres of land in 1951, which became Fairfax County's first park. Kevin and Chris Eakin were present to honor the awardees while continuing their family’s impactful legacy with parks.

Pictured Left to Right

Back Row: Tim Hackman, FCPA Board Dranesville District Representative; Kevin Eakin, Eakin Properties President; and Chris Eakin, Eakin Properties Associate Regional Manager.

Front Row: Dima Alfaham, Chief of Staff to the United Arab Emirates Ambassador; Kareem Al-Attar, MYS Board Member; Julie Dabrowski, MYS Board Member; Natalie Bennett, Administrative Aide to Dranesville District Supervisor Bierman; Vicki Schmanske, Leidos Commercial & International Sector President; Louise Waxler, MYS Executive Director; Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba, United Arab Emirates Ambassador to the United States; Jai Cole, FCPA Executive Director; Ian Harper, MYS Board Chair; Bobbi Longworth, FCPF Executive Director; Robin Walker, FCPF Board Secretary; John Forte, MYS Board Member.

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. In the spirit of the One Fairfax Policy racial and social equity policy, voluntary contributions help ensure that all residents can access and enjoy Fairfax County’s 420 parks and enriching programs. For more information about the Park Foundation, please visit the foundation website.

Are you ready to create memories this spring? Check out the Park Authority’s Top 7 Spring Flings for 2024:

2024 Horse Expo

Saturday, April 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free Admission (Pony Rides: $10 per rider). Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon

Calling all horse lovers! Join us for the Frying Pan Farm Park Horse Expo — where experienced riders and new horse fans can enjoy food trucks, speakers, demonstrations and businesses that sell horse-related products and services.

Hidden Pond Community Open House

Sunday, April 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. Free Admission. Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield

We are paving the way for our future and want to hear from you at our first community open house! Sample our hands-on activities, guided hikes and science demonstrations. Share your feedback and have a say in the future of our programs. Let your voice be heard and have fun while doing it!

2024 Earth Day Festival

Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Admission (Event Parking: $10 per car). Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly

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. Celebrate Earth Day with a fantastic time filled with games, entertainment, food and a variety of hands-on crafts, exhibits and activities.

Spring Farm Day

Saturday, May 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission: $12 online, $14 in-person. Frying Pan Farm Park, 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon

Family fun on the farm! See what life is like on the farm with real sheep shearing and antique farm equipment demonstrations. Get hands-on and try milking cows and goats. Enjoy crafts, games, and get an up-close introduction to the baby farm animals.

Wetlands Awareness Day

Sunday, May 5 from noon to 4 p.m. Free Admission. Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria

Discover the beauty and importance of wetlands. Bring the family and stroll through the forested paths and immersive boardwalk trail. Learn about plants and animals that live in the park. See live raptors, reptiles and amphibians up close and enjoy interactive displays and activities. Shuttle rides are available at Groveton Elementary to Huntley Meadows Park.

Park 'n' Bark

Saturday, May 11 at 1 p.m. Free Admission. Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly

Come enjoy a great day in the park with your friendly best friend! Enjoy treats and snacks for dogs and humans alike! Experience dog-themed vendors, live music and adoptable dogs.

Spring Garden Day—The Big Plant Sale

Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free Admission. Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria

This is a must-attend, free event for all gardeners! Make a day at Green Spring Gardens for our Annual Spring Garden Day and Big Plant Sale. This popular event features a variety of vendors and countless assortments of plants -- from the tried-and-true varieties to the rare and unusual. Go native with your plantings or add fruiting plants in your gardens. Get garden advice from our Master Gardeners or enjoy local artists, food vendors or baked goods though the Friends of Green Spring Gardens Bake Sale.

Did you know that live events send 4 billion single-use cups to the landfill every year in the United States? This year the Park Authority, in partnership with r.World, will be working together to take a new step forward to reduce waste at our Earth Day Festival venue.

Combining efforts with the reusables experts at r.World, the Park Authority will distribute reusable cups and food containers to food and beverage vendors around the site to fill with their respective food items when orders are made. r.World cups and food containers are not “Earth Day giveaways” and they’re also not for sale. Just like cups at a restaurant, they should be returned to the appropriately marked reuse bins at designated waste stations throughout the event to be collected and reused.

Event visitors can pick up their reusable r.Cups and r.Wares at designated food and beverage distribution points, and when they’re done, return the cups and food containers to the clearly-marked reuse bins, not the trash cans or recycling bins. Following the event, the r.World team picks up the reusables, sanitizes them, repackages them and – presto! – they’re ready for the next event. r.World reusable items can be used hundreds of times, eliminating tons of waste from landfills.

See poster of how it works

“Earth Day has a long tradition of being a fun and exciting event for thousands of visitors each year,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “The year’s reuse effort is just another way we are looking to make this event impactful by reinforcing the idea that it’s the small choices we make on a daily basis that can have the biggest impact on the beauty and enjoyment we find in the world around us.”

Earth Day will also feature exhibits and activities focusing on a variety of sustainable practices, including encouraging guests to fill their reusable water bottles at the water bar, composting and recycling practices, and promoting native plants and practices for improving the health of our watershed.

The Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sully Historic Site located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Centreville.

Admission is free; on-site event parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information, visit The Earth Day festival website.

The annual Earth Day Festival is provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services. Visit the Park Foundation website or call them at 703-324-8582.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is dedicated to expanding and improving diverse recreational opportunities for all residents. Planned court improvements during 2024 will include the renovation of several courts and the addition of futsal courts to accommodate the growing demand for this sport across the county. In that light, the Park Authority is making preparations to renovate an underutilized court at South Lakes Drive Park to include a combination basketball/futsal court.

South Lakes Drive Park is a prime location for the addition of a futsal court given the court’s location in the park and benefit to the surrounding community. Court improvements are anticipated to be completed in summer 2024. The project scope will include the following:

• Repaving the court surface
• Installing perimeter paneling and gates
• Adding combination futsal/basketball goals
• Constructing an ADA accessible pathway

The Park Authority welcomes public feedback on the planned court improvements at South Lakes Drive Park. A 30-day public comment period opened April 11, and will extend until 5 p.m. on May 10.

Submit your feedback

South Lakes Drive Park is located at 11951 South Lakes Drive, Reston, Virginia.

It’s spring cleaning time again and the Fairfax County Park Authority and dozens of volunteers of all ages throughout the county are rolling up their sleeves to spruce up public parks across the county as art of our annual Watershed Cleanup Days in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy.

Spring cleaning in the parks isn't just about picking up trash—it's a chance for individuals, families, and groups to make a meaningful impact while earning service hours, fostering team building and showing appreciation for our environment.

Cleanups have been scheduled at various locations throughout the county and offer a diverse array of activities to be involved in. From collecting and bagging trash to tackling other projects, volunteers will have the chance to contribute to the beautification and preservation of our natural spaces. Choose from among the following locations:

Saturday, April 6

• Ossian Hall Park, Annandale (10 a.m.-noon)
• Spring Hill Rec Center, McLean (3:30 -5:30 p.m.)

Friday, April 12

• Providence Rec Center, Falls Church (9:30-11:30 a.m.)

Saturday, April 13

• Cub Run Rec Center, Chantilly (9-11:30 a.m.)
• London Towne, LT West, 2nd LTW, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Sully Station I, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Sully Station II, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Isaac Walton and Gatepost I/II, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Virginia Run, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Chalet Woods and Country Club Manor, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Braddock Park, Clifton (9-11:30 a.m.)

Saturday, April 20

• Hidden Oaks Nature Center - Roundtree Park, Falls Church (9 a.m.-noon)
• John Byers Park, Alexandria (9-11 a.m.)
• Centre Ridge North Park, Centreville (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Merrybrook Run Stream Valley Park, Herndon (9-11:30 a.m.)

Saturday, April 27

• Cub Run Stream Valley Park: Penrose Place, Chantilly (9-11:30 a.m.)
• Cub Run Stream Valley Park: Flint Lee Road, Chantilly (9-11:30 a.m.)

Sunday, April 28

• Lake Accotink Park, Springfield (9 a.m.-noon)

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s annual Watershed Cleanup Days are scheduled in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy at sites throughout the county on various dates in April.

Visit the Nature Conservancy website to sign up

For questions or additional information, please contact Jen Dalke, volunteer program manager, at jdalke@tnc.org.

As spring blooms, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Master Gardeners extend a warm invitation to all gardening enthusiasts for a series of free Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics. These educational programs, offered in collaboration with the Fairfax County Master Gardeners and the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of gardening practices and foster a sense of community among green thumbs of all levels.

Join expert gardeners at a variety of locations as they provide valuable insights, answer questions, distribute soil sample kits, and offer complimentary analyses of plant and pest issues. These clinics are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays: April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. Clinics will be held concurrently on each of these dates at eight locations across Fairfax County:

• Pine Ridge Park, 3401 Woodburn Road, Annandale
• Baron Cameron Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave., Reston
• Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
• Grist Mill Park, 4320 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria
• Grove Point Park, 6432 Bowie Drive, Springfield
• George Mason Park, 9700 Braddock Road, Fairfax
• Hogge Park, 3139 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church
• Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Road, Vienna

Be sure to check the Fairfax County Master Gardeners website for any cancellations due to inclement weather. For more information about these free gardening clinics, call 703-324-8556 or email HelpDesk@FairfaxGardening.org.

These free clinics are made possible through the Community Garden Plot Rental Program at Green Spring Gardens, where the Fairfax County Park Authority rents more than 700 garden plots annually to Fairfax County residents. To learn more about this program and to register for a plot, please visit the Community Garden Plot Rental Program website or email FCPAGardenPlots@fairfaxcounty.gov.