Park Authority

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to view a solar eclipse with the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Park Authority has prepared extraordinary eclipse viewing activities at locations throughout the county on Monday, April 8. Join us for a safe viewing experience that will include both pre- and post-eclipse activities, games and demonstrations.

April 8 viewing event locations include:

• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Burke Lake Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Historic Huntley (1:30-4:30 p.m.)
• Turner Farm Park (1:30-4:30 p.m.)

Event admission is $10 per person. Each location will have a limited number of eclipse-viewing glasses, and sun-spotting scopes will be available to view the eclipse thanks to donations from the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Participants are encouraged to bring portable chairs and blankets.

Register for Solar Eclipse viewing programs

Safety Note: During this year’s solar eclipse, the sun will be at a maximum of solar activity, so the corona may be more spectacular than what was seen in 2017. Since we are not in the path of totality in Northern Virginia, it will not be safe to view the eclipse without special solar viewing glasses, welder’s goggles, or using a projection method.

Extra glasses will be distributed during Bluebells at the Bend at Riverbend Park on Saturday, April 6. If you are planning to view the eclipse on your own, please visit NASA's Total Solar Eclipse Safety webpage for additional safety information.

For more information or to register for these safe eclipse viewing events, or to learn more about a variety of astronomy programs available at Fairfax County parks, visit the Astronomy website.

We’ve got the experts and the experiences to make your Earth Day celebration so much fun that it will be hard to believe you’ll be learning something new! Join us at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the county’s largest Earth Day celebration.

Since 1970, Earth Day has been worldwide tradition to celebrate the wonderful natural beauty of the world we inhabit and gain a greater understanding of how we can all take greater care of it as environmental stewards. Fairfax County’s Earth Day Festival creates the perfect environment for children and adults of all ages to deepen their awareness about the world around us through games, activities and hands-on exploration. Here’s just a few topics you can expect at this year’s Earth Day Festival:

• Live farm animals, reptiles and insects
• Nature exploration
• Meteorology
• Gardening and tree care
• Plant identification – Invasives vs. Native Species
• Water cycle laboratory
• Soils and composting
• Recycling
• Local natural history and archaeology

With live music, outdoor ice skating, the popular touch-a-truck exhibit and more, this is a learning experience you don’t want to miss. Admission to the event is free, but there is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle.

Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly. For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Festival, visit the Earth Day website.

The 2024 Earth Day Festival is made possible in partnership with 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. Visit the Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Over the years, humankind has increased the amount of light shining into the skies all night long, which has brought with it intrusive and harmful environmental and human impact. Believe it or not, natural darkness plays an essential role within our ecosystem, from promoting healthy plant growth and wildlife to enhancing our own health, sleep and enjoyment of the beauty of our night skies.

In an effort to combat light pollution, Fairfax County Park Authority invites residents to participate in Lights Out Fairfax and International Dark Sky Week.

Lights Out Fairfax - March 23, 2024, 8:30-9:30 p.m.

As our region has expanded, excessive light pollution has dimmed the night sky, impacting both our environment and our connection to the natural world. On March 23 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., residents are encouraged to join the initiative by turning off outdoor lights for one hour. By enlisting family, friends and neighbors, we can collectively embrace the darkness and rediscover the beauty of the stars. Once the light goes out, be sure to allow up to 15 minutes for your eyes to adjust, revealing the stellar spectacle that lies above.

International Dark Sky Week - April 2-8

Following Lights Out Fairfax, Fairfax County Park Authority will continue its commitment to dark sky conservation by participating in International Dark Sky Week from April 2 to 8. This weeklong event aims to raise awareness about the importance of preserving our dark skies and the detrimental effects of light pollution on human health, safety and the environment.

Visit the Dark Skies webpage to learn ways you can protect the night in your neighborhood and give some of the ideas a try during International Dark Sky Week.

Golf Fairfax is excited to introduce the new Golf Range Flex Pass, offering golfers a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy the driving ranges at Burke Lake and Oakmont golf centers. The Range Flex Pass allows golfers to purchase a pass that can be used at both locations. The new pass will be rolled out in phases, with Oakmont and Burke Lake already implemented and Twin Lakes scheduled for implementation in late spring 2024.

"The Range Flex Pass is a game-changer for our golfers. It provides a seamless experience and exceptional value, allowing golfers to focus more on their game and less on logistics," notes Ryan Carmen, Golf Division Director.

With the Range Flex Pass, golfers can load value onto their card and redeem it for a 35% discount off the 40-range ball bucket pricing. This eliminates the need for golfers to visit the pro shop for every visit, as they can simply scan their card at the dispenser to fill range ball buckets until they need to reload value on the card.

Key benefits include:

• Availability to load and redeem value at Burke Lake and Oakmont golf center ranges.
• Purchase range value in $100 increments (up to $300); redeem value at discounted rates (35% off).
• Redeem and check balance at the ball dispenser.
• If you forget your card, golfers can get a temporary code for the day, a replacement card at the pro shop, or if you have a picture of your card barcode, you can scan it at the machine.
• No need to visit the pro shop until you need to reload value on your card.

For more information, visit the Golf website. All driving ranges are accompanied by putting and chipping greens for short game work and are open year-round.

Prepare for the golf season with unbeatable discounts on rounds at all seven Golf Fairfax courses and a chance to win a free foursome round of golf. From March 21 to April 5, golfers can save on weekend and weekday passes at Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only), Oakmont, Pinecrest and Twin Lakes golf courses.

Spring pass deals include:

• Get 10% off 5 rounds, 20% off 10 rounds and 25% off 15 rounds. Pass savings are based on regular greens fees.
• Senior golfers, save up to 35% off weekday rounds and receive the 15th round for free with the purchase of 14 rounds.
• Passes are available for 9 or 18 holes, for both weekend or weekday rounds.
• Golf passes are valid at the course where it was purchased for two years after the date of purchase.

New this year, each course will be selecting one lucky winner to receive a free foursome round of golf at the winner’s course. Every customer who purchases rounds during the sale will be automatically entered to win!

Visit participating golf pro shops to purchase your passes.

For more information on the Spring Golf Pass Sale, visit the Golf passes webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin work on a trail paving initiative along a 550-foot section of the South Run Stream Valley trail system. The paving will occur between the new fiberglass bridge (Preakness Bridge) and the culvert closest to Lee Chapel Road underpass. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within approximately one week.

Work crews with contractor Tibbs Paving will mobilize on site to prepare for work that will involve riprapping culverts, raising the level of the new asphalt trail and performing shoulder restoration. The project aims to pave sections of the trails most affected by the rising waters due to beaver activities, ensuring safer and more accessible pathways for outdoor enthusiasts.

The trail will remain open to the public. However, as preparations for the paving project begin, residents and visitors are reminded to exercise caution if they choose to utilize the trail during the construction time. Clear signage and communication will be established on site to minimize disruptions and ensure public safety throughout the construction phase. In most cases, trail users should be able to navigate around the active construction along the trail.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Construction Maintenance Project Manager Marcos A. Suarez via email at Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Calling all horse enthusiasts to the Annual Horse Expo at Frying Pan Farm Park Equestrian Center! This featured event is for everyone – experienced riders, beginners, and anyone who loves horses or hopes to become a rider. Trot over to the farm on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy the show!

Frying Pan Farm Park has been hosting horse shows and serving the local horseback-riding community for more than 50 years. Come by and enjoy a purely authentic equestrian experience. Enjoy amazing equestrian demonstrations; see a variety of horses in the Parade of Breeds; gain insights from expert speakers; explore a wide range of businesses offering horse-related products and services; and indulge in delectable treats from food trucks. Pony rides are also available (Preregistration is required).

Admission to the Horse Expo is free, pony rides are $10 per rider. Visit the Horse Expo webpage for more information.

Register for Horse Expo

Register for pony rides

Frying Pan Farm Park and Equestrian Center is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon. For more information, visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website or call 703-437-9101.

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) are partnering to offer more programs and opportunities for the public to get active in the gym at Sully Community Center.

Sully Community Center features two gyms — Gym 1 being managed by FCPA and Gym 2 being managed by NCS.

FCPA offers the opportunity to rent the entire Gym 1 or reserve space (Court A and B) inside the gym. Organizations and groups looking to host practices, tournaments and games are invited to contact Natalie Sandelli at natalie.sandelli@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-817-9407 to learn more.

Reserve a court

Enjoy your next indoor game or activity — play pickleball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and more at Sully Community Center.

Learn about FCPA rentals, reservations and programs offered in the community center’s Gym 1

Sully Community Center is located at 13800 Wall Road, in Herndon. Learn more by visiting the Sully Community Center website.  

History comes alive as Colvin Run Mill opens its doors to an immersive journey back to 1811! Beginning April through October, on the first and third Sundays of each month, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness the mill in full operation from 2 to 3 p.m. for just $10 per person.

Discover the ingenuity of our forefathers and explore one of the nation’s last standing examples of early American mass production; learn about Oliver Evans’ groundbreaking plans for an automated mill, which forever changed the landscape of food production; get a glimpse into the lives of those who worked tirelessly to keep the mill running smoothly; and purchase your own freshly ground grain from the mill to add a touch of historic authenticity to your culinary creations.

Please note that operational hours are subject to weather conditions. For confirmation, please call Colvin Run Mill at 705-759-2771.

Register for Mill in Motion

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience history in motion!

Colvin Run Mill is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. For more information or to register, visit the Colvin Run Mill website.

Join us for a blooming adventure that promises fun for the whole family at Riverbend Park's annual Bluebells at the Bend Festival, on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This family-friendly event offers fun for all ages, including:

• Wildflower Walks: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of spring as you stroll through fields of vibrant bluebells and other wildflowers, guided by knowledgeable experts.
• Live Music: Enjoy performances as you take in the sights and sounds of nature in full bloom.
• Up-Close Encounters: Get up close and personal with live animals and learn fascinating facts about the creatures that call Riverbend Park home.
• Creative Kids' Crafts: Spark your little ones' imagination with hands-on crafts and activities designed to inspire creativity and wonder.
• Exciting Exhibitors: Explore a variety of exhibits showcasing local organizations, artists and environmental initiatives that celebrate the beauty and importance of nature.
• Delicious Food: Indulge your taste buds with a delectable selection of food offerings that are sure to satisfy cravings and fuel your adventure.

Tickets are $10 per person online until April 5, and $12 per person on the day of the event.

Register for Bluebells at the Bend

Riverbend Park is located at 8700 Potomac Hills St. in Great Falls. For more information, please call 703-324-8563 or visit the Riverbend Park website.