Park Authority

Cub Run Rec Center opened the doors to a new service: Drop-In Childcare. The added service now provides parents and guardians of infants and toddlers the option of bringing their children with them as they come to get in a workout, swim laps, participate in classes or relax in the hot tub. The new drop-in childcare room is a virtual wonderland with engaging features and enriching activities for young children ages 6 months to 10 years.

In the room, children can play with toys and games, work on crafts, and enjoy reading or other age-appropriate activities. The brand-new, open playroom features a separate area for infants and toddlers who are not walking. Park Authority staff ensure that children are kept entertained while adults are able to use the Rec Center.

Those using Cub Run Rec Center can use the drop-in childcare services on a first-come, first-served basis. Services cost $3 per child and $1.50 for each additional child for up to 2 hours, once a day. Staff watching children are First Aid and CPR certified and the services adhere to Virginia Department of Social Services child-to-staff ratio standards.

The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes members of the public to stop by and see this new space during two upcoming events:

Cub Run Rec Center Open House on Jan. 24 — Anyone can visit the Rec Center for free all day. Bring your children to see the new Drop-In Childcare Room and take part in some fun, kids activities from 4:30-7:30 p.m.

View the Rec Center Open House flyer

Drop-In Childcare Grand Opening event, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Jan. 27 — Visit the new room and meet staff. Children can play games, take part in arts and crafts and join in some fun, indoor activities, such as the mini trampoline and indoor obstacle course.

View the Opening Celebration flyer

The Cub Run Rec Center is located at 4630 Stonecroft Blvd. in Chantilly. For additional information about the Rec Center and for details on drop-in childcare, visit the Cub Run Rec Center website or call 703-817-9407.

Cool and rainy weather didn’t stop Fairfax County residents from getting outside to celebrate the start of the new year. Hundreds of people of all ages enjoyed the Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails and documented their fun by participating in the 2024 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 350 contestants submitted photos showcasing the sights and scenes they experienced. The results were spectacular! See the complete collection of submissions on the First Hike Fairfax 2024 photo album Flickr page.

The contest received entries in four categories: scenery and landscapes, people, wildlife and pets. A “Best in Show” was awarded in each category, and three at-large awards were selected by the panel of judges and by popular vote of the countywide community. The following winners received prizes sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

Director’s Choice Award

Judges’ Choice Award

People’s Choice Award

Best in Show (Nature and Landscapes)

Best in Show (People)

Best in Show (Wildlife)

Best in Show (Pets)

Winners received gift cards to the Fairfax County Park Authority provided by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The prize is redeemable toward the cost of most Park Authority programs, events, reservations or Rec Center Memberships.

For more information on First Hike Fairfax, visit the First Hike Fairfax webpage.

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.

Start thinking about fun in the sun by preparing for Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) spring and summer camps. Registration for spring and summer camps opens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23. In preparation, FCPA is sharing the full listing of camps, as well as offering multiple ways to search and tools to use that will make enrolling easier.

Explore the 2024 Camp Guide to see the complete listings (and all the details) for upcoming camps. The publication outlines key background information, including key dates, extended care information and all the 2024 camp locations. It also provides all the details you need for each camp listing organized by season and then camp type.

On FCPA’s Camps website, find the Camp Search to browse offerings by keyword and location and download the Camp Spreadsheet to filter and sort camps in Excel by child’s age, the week, the type of camp and the location. FCPA also provides a Camp Planner Sheet to help track camp choices and collect Catalog IDs of all your top choice camps to make registration easier and quicker.

FCPA announces two changes to the camp registration process. For 2024, FCPA will not be offering a discount for early registration for camps. In addition, waitlists for camps will open at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 2 to help FCPA staff optimize the process for filling camps.

Jump into making plans for all the excitement FCPA will be offering this spring and summer. Explore all the camps being offered and make those camp wish lists. Set your clocks for the opening of registration and remember to log on to use the Camp Search to register in Parktakes at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23!

If you have any questions, please contact the FCPA camps team at camps@fairfaxcounty.gov.

View the Camps guide

Unearth the secrets of gardening at Green Spring Gardens’ captivating winter lecture series. Join our experts and discover a world of tips and insights to cultivate your gardens at home. Distinguished horticulturists, landscape designers and Master Gardeners will take the stage, sharing a wealth of gardening wisdom.

Join us at Green Spring Gardens for the following sessions scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the designated dates below:

• Gardening for Climate Change (Jan. 28)
• Gardening Oddities (Feb. 4)
• Lotus for Any Garden (Feb. 18)
• Journey of a Garden and Its Gardener (Feb. 25)

Two virtual sessions are also being offered as part of this year’s winter lecture series. Both of the following sessions are scheduled from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. on the following dates:

• Pushed Up The Mountain (Jan. 21)
• Spiders: Fear to Fascination (Feb. 11)

Find out more about each session and register for the class or classes of your choice. Cost is $12.

Register for a Winter Lecture

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. For more information, visit Green Spring Gardens or call 703-642-5173.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites thrill-seekers and adventure enthusiasts to unlock the mysteries of geocaching in a winter wonderland! Park Authority parks offer numerous ways to geocache all year long.

Whether you're a seasoned geocacher or a novice ready to embark on a new adventure, the Park Authority’s Geocaching Adventures provides experienced instructors and expeditions to satisfy your geocaching cravings. All you need is weather-appropriate attire and an adventurous spirit! All equipment is provided, and our instructors are primed to lead you on a fantastic exploration of two of our largest parks: Burke Lake Park and Lake Fairfax Park.

Geocaching Adventures Class Sessions

• Lake Fairfax Park (Jan. 27; 1 to 3 p.m.). Cost $23.

To learn more about geocaching on your own in Fairfax County Parks or to register for a class, visit the Geocaching website.

Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. For more information, visit the Burke Lake Park website or call 703-323-6600.

Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information, visit the Lake Fairfax Park website or call 703-471-5415.

Check out your neighborhood Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Center for free on Wednesday, Jan. 24. If you are a current Rec Center member, bring family and friends along to check out these community wellness hubs. Visitors will receive a free, 7-day trial membership or be able to purchase a 30-day for $30 pass to the Park Authority's Rec Centers.

Everyone is invited to explore the Rec Centers, use gym equipment, take a lap in the pool and try out drop-in fitness classes (space permitting) all day long. Each Rec Center will offer special programs and activities from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Jan. 24. Come by in the evening to visit the membership table, grab some giveaways, take part in arts and crafts, and enjoy other special offerings.

Additional information for the Open House programming at each individual Rec Center is available online for the following locations:

• Audrey Moore, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale
• Cub Run, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly
• Franconia, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria
• George Washington, 8426 Old Mt. Vernon Road, Alexandria
• Oakmont, 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton
• Providence, 7525 Marc Drive, Falls Church
• South Run, 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield
• Spring Hill, 1239 Spring Hill Road, McLean

Interested in becoming a member? During January, join or renew annual memberships at a 15% discount. There are no initiation fees or annual dues. Memberships can be purchased in person at any of the Rec Centers or on the Rec Center membership website.

Learn more about what Rec Centers have to offer, the Open Houses and the January membership sale by visiting the Rec Center website.

View the Rec Center Open House flyer

Play through the winter and warm up your golf game with heated, covered and indoor practice and play opportunities with Golf Fairfax.

Keep your swing in prime condition with heated and covered bays at one of our top-notch driving ranges, voted top 50 Public Ranges in the U.S. by the Golf Range Association of America. The double-decker ranges at Burke Lake and Oakmont feature heated and covered bays, with LED lighting, a variety of food and beverage options, and a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere.

Keep your game strong at the indoor studio at Pinecrest Golf Course's Valis Family Golf Learning Center. Try one of the three indoor hitting bays or bring the crew out for a private reservation of the Trackman Indoor Simulator Suite, both reserved by the hour. Play with up to four players while enjoying food and beverage options from Pinecrest Grill. The 300-square-foot room is equipped with modern sofas and a 55-inch TV for entertainment. Play tournament courses, such as St. Andrews, PGA National, The Grove or 20 more, including par-3 options. Use the range feature to capture more than 30 pieces of data analytics to understand and improve your swing.

Burke Lake Golf Center is located at 6915 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, Virginia. For more information, visit the Burke Lake Golf Center webpage.

Oakmont Golf Center is located at 3136 Jermantown Road, Oakton, Virginia. For more information, visit the Oakmont Golf Center Practice Facilities webpage.

Pinecrest Golf Course is located at 6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria, Virginia. To learn more or make a reservation, visit the Pinecrest Golf Course Indoor Golf Practice Facility webpage. 

Despite some patchy rain, clouds and chilly weather, thousands of faithful Fairfax County park-goers enjoyed the tradition of First Hike along trails and within local parks on New Year’s Day. Several hundred visitors participated in the Fairfax County Park Authority’s annual First Hike Photo Contest by submitting their best photos of their visit. A panel of judges has reviewed the entries and selected a group of finalists for the 2024 People’s Choice Award – to be selected by popular vote among the community.

Cast your vote this weekend at https://bit.ly/2024-first-hike-peoples-choice! Voting is open through 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will receive a $100 Park Authority gift card.

“The Park Authority would like to thank the thousands of visitors who decided to spend their New Year’s Day in the parks and along the trails,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “Not only does our park system offer great opportunities to promote healthy, active living for individuals of all ages and abilities, but these experiences also serve to bring communities together. We appreciate the strong support of our countywide community as we provide a vastly diverse range of amenities, programs, special events and activities to enhance the quality of life we enjoy here.”

A complete gallery of photos submitted as part of the 2024 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest are available on the Park Authority’s Flickr page. Winners will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 11.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is gearing up for another Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sully Historic Site. Applications are now being accepted for vendors and exhibitors to participate in this the largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County.

Every year, thousands of individuals and families gather to celebrate our connection with the outdoors with fun-filled, family-friendly activities, exhibits, entertainment and food. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary event.

Applications are being accepted online at the Earth Day Festival Vendor/Exhibitor Information webpage. Vendors, exhibitors with direct product sales can save $50 on the registration fee by applying before Jan. 20. Exhibitors with no direct sales (educational, civic organizations, nonprofit organizations, etc.) can apply to participate for as little as $50. All applications must be received by Feb. 12. Acceptance notifications will be sent by Feb. 20. All applicable booth fees must be paid by March 20.

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

For additional information, please contact FCPAParkPermits@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority is beginning the evaluation of a new curator application for the Mount Gilead historic property located in the Sully District at 5634 Mount Gilead Road, Centreville. The evaluation will include multiple livestreamed work sessions, a public meeting and an extended public comment period to receive public input and questions for consideration of the application. Details pertaining to the proposed curator application and opportunities for submitting public comment are now available at the Mount Gilead Historic House Resident Curatorship website. 

Public comments are being accepted online and via mail through Monday, Feb. 5 at 5 p.m. The Park Authority will also host an in-person public meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, at the Centreville Regional Library (14200 St. Germain Drive, Centreville). The meeting will include an overview of the Resident Curator Program, the curator application, and opportunity for questions and answers from the community.

The Evaluation Team will convene at its initial work session on Monday, Jan. 22 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be livestreamed and a recording will be made available following the meeting. Subsequent sessions have been scheduled at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 29 (if needed), and Thursday, Feb. 8. While the work sessions will be viewable by the public, they will not include a public comment period.

Mount Gilead is an 18th-century vernacular-style house that was originally built as a combined residence and tavern. Several restorative changes were made to the property to preserve and rebuild the home in the mid-1930s, and again during the 1950s and 1960s. The house was recorded as part of the Virginia Landmarks Survey, as well as in the 1969 Historic American Buildings Survey. The 6-acre property and historic house was purchased by the Park Authority in 1996.

The Resident Curator Program offers long-term lease agreements to qualified tenants in beautiful public park settings. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for a financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties.

Learn more by visiting the Resident Curator Program website. For additional questions, contact Stephanie Langton, manager of the Resident Curator Program, at 703-324-8791.