Park Authority

Spring is here again and the Fairfax County Park Authority is gearing up for another outstanding Spring Farm Day experience at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Join our farmhands, friends and volunteers for an exciting family farmland adventure suitable for all ages.

Meet the farmland friends of Frying Pan Farm Park! Witness the fascinating process of sheep shearing and get hands-on experience milking cows and goats. Enjoy amazing demonstrations of antique farm equipment and immerse yourself in creative crafts, thrilling games, and create lasting memories with many of our adorable baby farm animals. Advance admission is $12 per person, and it's $14 at the door.

Register Today

Please note, as much as we love our furry friends, please leave your dogs at home as they are not permitted at this event. For more details, contact 703-437-9101 or visit Frying Pan Farm Park. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Rd in Herndon.

Get ready to make memories that will last a lifetime at Spring Farm Day!
 

The Fairfax County Park Authority unveiled its brand-new mobile nature center – the Wonder Wagon – in spectacular fashion at the county’s largest Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20. The new fully electric, highly decorated van is the Park Authority’s first nature center on wheels in an effort to provide nature programs and engaging experiences to communities throughout Fairfax County and particularly those where access to the Park Authority’s five brick-and-mortar nature centers may be challenging.

“Everyone in Fairfax County, no matter where they live, should have the ability to access the outstanding nature programs offered by the Fairfax County Park Authority,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “These programs are much more than just being able to identify a particular bird, bug or bud. They teach us about our connection to the wider world and how we, through the small and simple choices we make each day, truly have the power to help promote the kind of healthy, beautiful environment we all wish to live in.”

The Wonder Wagon team brings free nature and stewardship education to residents of all ages through engaging guided activities. Our trained naturalists help spot, identify and teach about plants and wildlife within the community – even in urban environments. Activities and demonstrations also help residents understand their connection to their local environment and how simple, everyday actions can help enhance water quality, care for land, plants and animals, and increase the enjoyment we can all experience living in a healthy environment.

The unveiling of the Wonder Wagon kicks off an amazing new program with the goal of participating in 150 programs this year and serve more than 3,500 community members. The Wonder Wagon is available for public events, outreach and public school activities. For more information about the Wonder Wagon or to request a visit, go to the Wonder Wagon webpage.

The Wonder Wagon was made possible thanks to the significant support of local community members and nature enthusiasts and the financial support provided from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and dozens of generous contributions including Pohanka Automotive; the Scott A. & Phyllis P. Crabtree Family Foundation Inc.; National Park Service / Chesapeake Gateways; and The Environment Fund of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia; through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. 
 

Unlock your inner naturalist with the City Nature Challenge in Fairfax County Parks! The City Nature Challenge, running April 26 – 29, is a worldwide phenomenon encouraging residents of all ages to take a closer look at the beauty of our natural world and spot and record as many species of plant and wildlife in our community as possible. 

Metropolitan areas from across the globe participate in the City Nature Challenge and compete to identify the most species within their local environment. This research helps populate a valuable trove of data to help better understand neighborhood habitats and enhance the effectiveness of stewardship efforts.

Participation is easy:

Step 1: Go outside with your smartphone and find any plant or animal

Step 2: Take a photo of what you find – taking note of the location

Step 3: Share your observations through the iNaturalist app

Do you prefer a guided adventure with some help in using iNaturalist? Join our staff at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center for a City Nature Challenge Walk on Sunday, April 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. This free event, suitable for all ages, offers a chance to explore local biodiversity under the guidance of a park naturalist and learn how to iNaturalist app to share this valuable information. Learn more and sign-up to participate at City Nature Challenge Walk. 

We need your keen eyes and enthusiasm to help us uncover the rich biodiversity of Fairfax County – both within our parks and around your neighborhood. Let's help the Washington DC Metro Area emerge victorious in this friendly challenge! For additional information about the City Nature Challenge, visit the City Nature Challenge website.  

The Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival Planning Committee is now accepting applications for entertainers, food vendors and exhibitors interested in participating in the county’s largest summertime extravaganza!  This year’s event will be held August 1-4 at Frying Pan Farm Park located at 2709 West Ox Road, in Herndon. 

This time-honored tradition of the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival features a range of family-friendly attractions with carnival games and rides, a Big Truck Night, engaging 4-H exhibits and shows, mouthwatering fair food, live entertainment and the chance to interact with friendly farm animals. With over 26,000 attendees expected, this four-day extravaganza stands as the Fairfax County Park Authority's most highly attended program throughout the year.

Don't miss this opportunity to be a part of a cherished community at the 74th Annual 4-H Fair and Carnival! Entertainer, food vendor, exhibitor and judge applications and information are available on the program website under the “Vendor, Performance and Concessions Applications” tab. 

If your organization is interested in participating as an event sponsor, please visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website or contact Margaret Thaxton, Director of Development, at 703-324-8532 for sponsorship details.

For further details, visit Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival or call 703-437-9101.

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.