Park Authority

Start the new year off on the right track by becoming a member of Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Rec Centers. January offers the perfect opportunity to start a new fitness routine with Rec Center annual memberships on sale throughout the month.

Annual memberships provide access to all Rec Centers and all the fitness opportunities they offer, including strength training and cardio equipment, drop-in fitness classes, pools, saunas and other spaces for fitness, such as sports courts/rooms, gyms and even indoor walking/running tracks at two locations. Find your fitness community at FCPA Rec Centers.

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.

Are you interested in learning more about what Rec Centers have to offer? Everyone is invited to stop in for free at any Rec Center for an Open House event on Wednesday, Jan. 24. See our Rec Center amenities firsthand, take part in fitness demonstrations, enjoy family-friendly activities, and learn more about membership. Entry is free all day but stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy special programming, such as fitness class demonstrations, facility tours, games, snacks and giveaways.

If annual membership doesn’t fit your needs, speak with a staff member about other membership and pass options, including a month-to-month plan. New members can also begin a trial membership with our 30 days for $30 offer. Learn more about these options by visiting the Rec Center membership website or by calling 703-222-4664.

For more information about Rec Center amenities, offerings, locations and contact information, visit the Rec Center website.

View the Membership Sale flyer

Dive into the spirit of community and discover the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. at the Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center’s Martin Luther King Jr. Service and Learning Event on Monday, Jan. 15, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Enjoy a dynamic and engaging activity that will have participants rotating through different stations to learn about the Civil Rights Movement, participate in a community service project and reflect on the power of community cooperation. This event is not just educational, it’s an opportunity for families to come together and make a positive impact in our community.

The program is $8 per person; all participants must be registered.

Register for MLK Jr. Service and Learning Day

Frying Pan Farm Park Visitors Center is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon. For additional details, please visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website.

Brace yourselves for an out-of-this-world experience. The Fairfax County Park Authority invites you to be a part of some captivating astronomy events!

Stargazing Spectacular

Jan. 13 (5:30 – 7:45 p.m.) at Burke Lake Park

Join fellow stargazers for an evening filled with awe-inspiring sights packed with family activities, a campfire and celestial lore. Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road, in Fairfax Station.

Register for Stargazing Spectacular

Astronomy Festival

Jan. 20 (5 to 7:30 p.m.) and Feb. 17 (5:30 to 8 p.m.) at Turner Farm Park Observatory

Prepare to be mesmerized as the night sky transforms into a cosmic canvas, showcasing the wonders of the universe. Enjoy stargazing though telescopes, hear ancient stories of constellations while staying warm by the campfire. The Turner Farm Park Observatory is located at 925 Springvale Road, in Great Falls.

Register for Astronomy Festival

Whether you're an amateur astronomer or just someone looking to be enchanted by the beauty of the cosmos, these events promise an unforgettable journey into the vastness of space. So, pack your curiosity and a sense of wonder, and join us for an astronomical extravaganza like no other!

For more information or to register for these events, visit the Astronomy webpage.

For the fourth-consecutive year, Jon Eisman has been rated one of Virginia’s Top 10 Best Teachers by Golf Digest magazine. Eisman is the director of instruction and owner of the Eisman Golf Academy at Laurel Hill Golf Club and Twin Lakes Golf Course.

For nearly two decades, Eisman has been in high demand for his expertise and guidance in the golf instruction industry. This year, the Eisman Golf Academy, located at Laurel Hill Golf Club, opened a 2,600-square-foot Performance Lab that includes two indoor-outdoor bays designated for one-on-one instruction. The new Performance Lab serves as an excellent proving ground for seasoned golfers aiming to enhance their skills and beginners looking to learn from experienced instructors, contributing to the continued growth and success of the game.

"I am very thankful and grateful to once again be nominated by my peers as one of the best instructors in Virginia. There are so many instructors, professionals, educators and students who have helped shape my career path, and I thank each of you for your constant support. Thank you to all my students out there who have put their trust in my hands over the years," Eisman said.

The Eisman Academy’s team of professionals offer golf expertise and personality, blended with science-specific research. The Eisman Golf Performance Center at Laurel Hill features the latest in golf technology and allows for year-round instruction, featuring state-of the-art Swing Catalyst and Trackman technology. In addition to swing analysis, the Eisman Golf Academy also offers camps, private lessons, 9-hole on course lessons and junior programs at Laurel Hill and Twin Lakes golf courses.

Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Hill Crest Drive in Lorton and is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. For more information or to view tee times, visit the Laurel Hill Golf Club’s webpage.

Twin Lakes Golf Course is located at 6201 Union Mill Road in Clifton. For more information, visit the Twin Lakes Golf Course webpage.

Both golf facilities are operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Children of all ages are excited to try out their new gadgets, gizmos and toys at their favorite local park. Just remember, our parks are places for everyone to have an enjoyable time in nature. Park rules are designed to ensure a pleasant experience for our guests, as well as the protection of wildlife that call parks their home. Here are some Fairfax County Park Authority rules to consider when visiting the parks with your new gifts this season:

E-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and other electric conveyances are allowed in parks, but to protect environmental and cultural resources, you should only use them in areas where traditional (human pedal-powered) bicycles are allowed. Do not disturb wildlife, livestock or domesticated animals on park property. For your safety and the safety of others, maintain speeds under 20 mph. For details, visit the Electrically Assisted Bicycles and Other Conveyances webpage.

Drones may be used in some parks, but only if you remain in compliance with Federal Aviation Administration directives. Many parks are in no-fly zones due to their proximity to airports, etc. Get details for safe and responsible use of drones in parks at the Model Aircrafts and Drones webpage.

Marvel at how much distance you get with your new golf clubs at a county golf course or driving range, but projectiles (such as soaring golf balls) are prohibited elsewhere. Find a place to take your game to the next level by visiting the Golf website.

Unless you’re in a special archery program, bows and arrows should be left at home. That goes for stun guns, spears, slingshots, dart devices and other high-speed missile projectiles, too.

Camping overnight in your new tent? Make plans to register and stay in designated campgrounds by visiting the Campgrounds website first.

If you’re camping and preparing food, knives are permitted in parks; however, knives with a blade more than 4 inches in length should remain at home.

Got a new puppy? Remember to keep your furry friend on a leash and wait until they are at least 4 months old (and not in heat) before visiting a dog park. Bone up on the rules and find your nearest off-leash dog park.

New pony? There are plenty of equestrian trails and riding areas designated for equestrian use. Ride off into the sunset with information from the Park Authority’s Equestrian page.

Get ready to brag when you try out your new fishing rod at a waterfront park, but stay in compliance with Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ laws and park rules. Find tips on the best fishing spots and all the rules at the Fishing website.

Give your new ice skates a twirl at one of the Park Authority’s ice skating classes or at a local ice rink. It’s been pretty mild so far, but when it gets colder, remember to stay off seemingly frozen lakes, ponds and streams, which pose a drowning danger.

We’re expecting some good snow this year. This is a reminder that golf courses are made for golfing, not for sleds, tubes and skis.

Enjoy your new ear buds, but if you want to blast music loud enough for everyone to hear, you need to obtain written permission from the Park Authority.

Finally, if you are on a post-holiday treasure hunt, keep in mind that metal detectors may only be used with the FCPA’s express written permission.

With so many ways to have fun in Fairfax County parks, it’s easy to have a great experience without putting yourself and others at risk and ensuring that everyone has the same opportunity to enjoy themselves, as well.

With the Christmas holiday coming to a close, please remember to properly recycle your Christmas trees this year. Disposing of live Christmas trees, as well as other trash and yard waste, in Fairfax County parks is illegal and harmful to our environment. Doing so can facilitate the spread of invasive pest species and add additional layers of material that suffocates seeds, seedlings and plants, thereby reducing the regeneration of a healthy forest.

With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services makes proper disposal of live Christmas trees easy and hassle-free. Residents just need to remove all lights and decorations and leave the trees on the curb alongside their trash. Trees will be collected during the first two weeks of January, from Jan. 1 through Jan. 13, and recycled with the mulch made available to county residents.

If residents serviced by the county would like to enjoy their live Christmas tree past Jan. 13, they can schedule a separate brush pickup for trees. Those contracted with a private waste disposal company should contact their hauler with questions regarding collection of Christmas trees following the two-week period for special tree collection.

Residents are also welcome to self-haul their trees to one of the County’s recycling facilities:

• I-66 Transfer Station (4618 West Ox Road, Fairfax)
• I-95 Landfill Complex (9850 Furnace Road, Lorton)

For more information on how to properly dispose of tree lights, decorations and other holiday items, visit the holiday recycling webpage. 

Help protect our local woodlands and parklands by making sure your live Christmas trees are recycled properly.

May the 4th Be With You! Celebrate Star Wars Day by participating in the 2024 Healthy Strides 5K/10K. Grab your closest Star Wars fan (or running partner), your favorite intergalactic outfit/costume, and come walk, run or roll in this Fairfax County Park Authority family event. The Annual Healthy Strides 5K/10K will be held at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at Burke Lake Park.

The 5K course follows a tree-lined, paved road that is wheelchair and stroller accessible. The more challenging 10K leads through a 6.2-mile wooded trail circling the lake. Event participants can also enter their children into a Kids Dash for ages 2 to 10 (just note that all Kids Dashers must wait until both the 5K and 10K are over before leaving the park). Spectators and families are invited to remain at Burke Lake during the event to cheer on runners and take part in the festivities, which include post-race refreshments and music.

All finishers will receive a commemorative medal. Awards and bragging rights will be presented to the overall top finishers and top finishers in different age groups for both the 5K and 10K. A portion of the proceeds from the Healthy Strides 5K/10K will be donated to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to support the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center. For information, Healthy Strides sponsorship details, or to donate, please visit the Park Foundation website.

Register by Jan. 1 using the discount code 24STRIDES2 to save $5 off the registration fee.

Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road, in Fairfax Station. Learn more and register today by visiting the Healthy Strides 5K/10K webpage.

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 Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved matching funds in the total amount of $55,325 to support improvements at three parks – Lake Fairfax Park, McLean Central Park and Frying Pan Farm Park. The construction of all three projects will be managed by the Park Authority and are expected to be completed by the spring 2024.

Lake Fairfax Park ($15,325)

In 1997, field 8 at Lake Fairfax Park was developed into the first cricket field in Fairfax County in partnership with the Cricket Association of Fairfax County (CAFC), who agreed to maintain the pitch. Field 8 is one of the few fields in the Northern Virginia region large enough to meet the international standards of cricket and, having been heavily utilized over the years, the pitch needs to be replaced. The CAFC has requested $15,325 in matching grant funding to install a new pitch consisting of a concrete base and artificial turf. The project budget totals $30,650, with the applicant contributing $15,325 toward the replacement.

McLean Central Park ($20,000)

Friends and neighbors of Thomas A. Mulquin are seeking to honor his memory and the impact he had on the community and through the sport of basketball. They founded the Friends of Thomas A. Mulquin and raised funds within the community to renovate the basketball court at McLean Central Park. The project would include refurbishing the existing court surface, color coating and line painting, replacing both goals and adding a 10-foot, vinyl-coated chain link fence to prevent basketballs from going into the heavy overgrowth near the court. The total project budget is $65,176.50, with $45,176.50 coming from community contributions raised by the applicant.

Frying Pan Farm Park ($20,000)

Through an agreement with the Park Authority, Spirit Open Equestrian (SOE) offers therapeutic riding programs for the public at Frying Pan Farm Park and leases an area within the park for its operations. The leased space currently has no electrical service. SOE has requested $20,000 in Mastenbrook grant funding to have Dominion Energy extend power to the leased operations area from a nearby cell tower and contract with an electrician to outfit the buildings with wiring, conduit, outlets and related electrical components. The total project budget is $72,458 with $52,458 being contributed to the funding by SOE.

The Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program encourages public-private ventures that improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. It is designed to fill a gap between limited bond funding and the community’s desire for new or improved park facilities by assisting volunteers, community and user groups in improving park facilities by matching funds and in-kind services.

Since 1999, the program has awarded approximately $2.2 million in grants for projects valued at more than $16.5 million. Grants ranging from a few hundred dollars to the maximum of $20,000 have funded such projects as trail improvements, construction of gazebos and shelters and athletic field improvements.

The Mastenbrook Grant Program is not accepting additional applications at this time, as the Park Authority is conducting a review of the 25-year program. The goal of the review is to examine the process through an equity lens and determine how to improve accessibility and benefit of the program in all areas of the county – particularly in communities of opportunity. The Park Authority expects to return to the board with any recommendations in the early part of 2024.

For more information about the Mastenbrook Matching Funds Grant Program, visit the Mastenbrook Grants website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved the proposed adjustments to the 2024 Park Authority Fee Schedule at its Dec. 13 meeting. All fee adjustments are scheduled to take effect on Jan.1, 2024.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is primarily funded through a combination of General Fund appropriations (tax dollars) and fee-based services. User fees, allocated to the Park Authority’s Revenue and Operating Fund, represent approximately 60% of the agency’s overall operating budget. The Park Authority Board considers fee adjustments on an annual basis, with the goal of minimizing user impact, while safeguarding the financial stability of park programs and services. The consideration process includes a public comment period on proposed changes and consideration of suggestions and feedback from the community. Adjustments include changes in the following areas:

• Greens Fees
• Driving Range Fees 
• Laurel Hill Golf Course Annual Memberships
• Rec Center General Admission
• Weekend and Holiday Leisure Pool Admissions (Cub Run Rec Center)
• Rec Center Indoor Swimming Pool Base Rates
• Rec Center Discount Fast Pass Fee
• Water Mine Single and Group Admissions
• Water Mine Picnic Area, Shade Structure, Funbrella Rentals.
• Picnic Facility and Amphitheater Rentals (Lake Accotink, Mason District and Franconia Parks)
• Commercial Photography Reservations
• Park Amusements

A detailed list of fee changes and an analysis of all considerations leading to the fee adjustment proposal is available in the 2024 Fee Adjustment Proposal website. The Park Authority Fee Schedule will be updated to reflect these changes when they go into effect on Jan. 1.

For more information, please contact the Park Authority Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov or by calling 703-246-5092.

As the holiday season kicks into high gear, Fairfax County Park Authority continues to offer many experiences to delight the entire family. From winter break camps to special events and activities that can easily become part of your own family traditions, the Park Authority offers a variety of experiences that include something for everyone.

Winter Break/Student Holiday Camps

(Dec. 18-22 and 26-29; Jan. 15 and 26; Feb. 19)

Ensure your child has the chance to take part in a fun camp this winter! Park Authority camps explore the arts, cooking, sports, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), and even holiday themes. For example, kids interested in singing and dancing to their favorite holiday tunes can join the joining ACTion! Pop Star Jingle Jam Camp. Fans of the holiday ballet can join the Nutcracker Dance Camp to learn short versions of dances from the ballet, partake in crafts, hear magical stories and enjoy other themed activities.

Explore these and more winter camp opportunities by visiting the Camps website.

Festive Holiday Events for the Whole Family

Make Park Authority holiday events part of your family tradition. Space is still available at several events planned through the end of the year:

Holiday on the Farm (Dec. 15 and 16): Enjoy the lights of Frying Pan Farm Park. Celebrate the holidays with an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions, campfires and visits with Santa.

Ugly Sweater Family Skate and Dance Night (Dec. 16): Light up the night with your tackiest holiday sweater as you roller skate and groove to holiday classics and other sweet tunes at the Franconia Rec Center. Challenge your family and friends to see who can drum up the most holiday spirit with their loudest holiday sweater. The event features snacks, drinks, holiday decorations and promises an all-around jolly good time.

Candlelight Tour (Dec. 16): Take an enchanting tour of Sully Historic Site, the 18th century home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first congressman. Tour by the glow of candlelight as it illuminates the house. Make a holiday craft and enjoy a hot beverage and cookies based upon a historical recipe.

Going Green for the Holidays – Ornament Workshop (Dec. 17): Visit Riverbend Park and participate in this workshop to discover new ways to reduce waste and stay sustainable this holiday season. Design your own mini-roll of gift wrap and create a bow from recycled magazines. Use natural and upcycled materials to craft a unique ornament to keep or give away.

Holiday Concert – IONA (Dec. 29): Come to the Sully Historic Site to watch IONA, one of the world’s top-rated pan-Celtic groups deliver high energy entertainment featuring Scottish fiddling, percussion, and vocals. Enjoy refreshments served in the 18th century kitchen.

Puppet Show (Dec. 29): Visit Frying Pan Farm Park to join Master Puppeteer Bob Brown in a jolly, fun-filled romp through a winter wonderland as his delightful, trick marionettes perform incredible feats of skill and daring that will leave your young audience shouting with laughter! Fun and fantasy – mirth and merriment, giggles and amazement all mixed together to the sound of your favorite holiday music.