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!

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to a ribbon-cutting celebration recognizing recent upgrades to the softball fields at Wakefield Park on Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. The event will be held on field eight at Wakefield Park, located at 8100 Braddock Road in Annandale.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests are invited to stay for a friendly girls softball game. Families, friends, players and fans are encouraged to bring their team spirit and help celebrate this exciting investment in the community’s athletic facilities.

The celebration will highlight improvements to Wakefield’s diamond fields, including renovated playing surfaces and amenities, upgraded LED lighting, new dugouts, new fencing, added batting cages, and new picnic tables and bleachers.

As part of the project, field eight has been converted into a state-of-the-art synthetic turf surface. With these upgrades, Wakefield Park now offers the only synthetic turf field in the region dedicated to youth softball programs, expanding opportunities for play in a variety of weather conditions and extending the usable season for local teams.

For more information, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Ladies, it’s your time on the tee. June is Women’s Golf Month, and Golf Fairfax is rolling out the fairway for you. Swap the to‑do list for a tee time and gather your favorite golf gals — whether you’re just learning the game or already living on the leaderboard. All month long, enjoy:

Practice Perks

• Laurel Hill – 25% off any size range bucket Monday thru Friday (limit one per day)
• 10% off any single golf lesson taken in June at Greendale Golf Course

Dress the Part

• Laurel Hill, Oakmont, Jefferson, Pinecrest and Burke Lake – 20% off all women’s apparel
• Twin Lakes – 20% off all women’s apparel (with purchase of a full-priced round)

Join Women on Course events hosted by Golf Fairfax designed to help women learn, play and connect. These events offer welcoming opportunities for golfers of all experience levels. June's lineup includes Learn to Golf clinics, on-course instruction, social outings, league play and Play with a Pro events. Build skills, meet new playing partners and enjoy the game in a fun and supportive environment. View the complete schedule of events at the Women and Golf Fairfax webpage.

National Golf Foundation data shows that more than 8.1 million women and girls played golf on a course in 2025, the highest participation level on record. As interest in the game continues to grow, Golf Fairfax is helping fuel that momentum through a variety of opportunities for women to learn, connect, practice and play.

"Women's Golf Month is a chance for ladies to get together on the course, enjoy the game and try something new," said Emme Porter, marketing brand manager for Golf Fairfax. "It’s exciting to see programs that help women build confidence, meet other golfers and spend time doing what they love."

Golf Fairfax is committed to providing exceptional golf experiences for women golfers of all levels and offers a range of programs and events designed to foster a love for the game and build a strong golfing community. For more information on activities and discounts for Women’s Golf Month, visit the Women and Golf webpage.

Glide and groove into the summer season in style at Franconia Rec Center’s Family Skate and Dance Night. With exciting themes and cool treats, these events have everything needed to entertain the entire family.

Take a turn around the gym floor on skates (or your dancing shoes) to themed tunes played by a DJ. All ages and abilities are invited to enjoy this safe space, where children can build confidence on wheels and have fun with friends. Don’t forget to bring your own skates!

• Juneteenth and Father's Day: Saturday, June 20, 6-9 p.m.
• Christmas in July: Saturday, July 18, 6-9 p.m.
• Michael Jackson Skate and Dance Party: Saturday, Aug. 15, 6-9 p.m.
• Hispanic Heritage Night: Saturday, Sept. 19, 6-9 p.m.

Tickets cost $10 per person, including skaters, chaperones and spectators. Purchase online or in person at the event. Food, ice cream, snacks and drinks are available for purchase (outside food is prohibited). Scooters are only allowed for ages 5 years and younger. Visit the Franconia Rec Center’s website for more information and to stay up to date on future skate nights and other events at the Rec Center.

Interested in skate night? Host your very own private skate night to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions in the Franconia Rec Center gym. Call 703-922-9841 to inquire.

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website.

Soak up summer sounds as the Summer Entertainment Series returns to Fairfax County. Kick off these performances — brought to you by Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County Park Foundation — on June 24. Experience FREE live performances with family, friends, neighbors and community at 20 venues across the county.

The 2026 concert series features an expanded Arts in the Parks series with four new locations:

• Lorton Community Center, 9520 Richmond Highway, Lorton
• The Rooftop Park Space at Springfield Garage, 7039 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield
• Spring Hill Rec Center, 1239 Spring Hill Road, McLean
• Strawberry Park at Mosaic District, 2911 District Ave., Fairfax

Arts in the Parks also now incorporates cultural heritage nights held at Ossian Hall Park, located at 7900 Heritage Drive, Annandale. Experience the sights, sounds and traditions from around the world. Discover the cultural heritage of Korea, Peru, Boliva, Bulgaria, Taiwan and West Africa during these performances.

All ages are invited to come out to enjoy a picnic, connect with community, and be entertained all summer long. Use the following resources to stay plugged into the series:

• Search for performances: Filter by performance type, series, venue, performer or keyword.
• Explore the Summer Entertainment Series website: Find all the details you need to know!
• Subscribe to the E-News: Select "Summer Concert Series" and share your email to get weekly updates about upcoming performances.
• See the Full Series List: See all the events with descriptions listed in chronological order. 

Check out the rest of the 2026 Summer Entertainment Series and mark your calendars for must-see performances:

• Arts in the Parks (9 Locations)
• Braddock Nights (Lake Accotink Park, Royal Lake Park)
• Evenings on the Ellipse (Fairfax County Government Center)
• Franconia Nights (Franconia District Park Amphitheater)
• Hunter Mill Melodies (Frying Pan Farm Park)
• Mount Vernon Nights (Grist Mill Park, Workhouse Arts Center)
• Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park (Arrowbrook Centre Park)
• Providence Presents (Nottoway Park)
• Spotlight by Starlight (Mason District Park Amphitheater)
• Springfield Nights (Burke Lake Park)
• Starlight Cinema (Sully Historic Site)

All performances are held outdoors. Lawn chairs are welcome. In case of inclement weather, call the concert hotline at 571-202-SHOW (7469) before leaving home. Cancellations are updated online and via hotline one hour prior to the showtime.

The Summer Entertainment Series performances are provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers that contribute to the success of these entertainment series.

The Summer Entertainment Series 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is inviting residents and visitors to experience the stars in a whole new way with the launch of a Night Viewing Permit at Turner Farm Park.

Designed for stargazers, night photographers and outdoor enthusiasts, the permit provides after-hours access to Turner Farm Park for nighttime sky viewing, while supporting the park’s commitment to reducing light pollution.

Home to Observatory Park, Turner Farm Park earned international recognition in 2025 as an International Dark Sky Urban Night Sky Place, making it one of the few locations in the region where visitors can experience night-sky viewing close to a major metropolitan area. The park’s wide, low horizons offer many options for astrophotography and are perfect for near-horizon targets, such as comets and northern lights.

The Night Viewing Permit builds on Turner Farm Park’s long-standing role as a community destination for astronomy, environmental education and dark-sky conservation.

Night Viewing Permit Details

Visitors ages 18 and older may purchase a permit, valid through Dec. 31 of the purchase year. Visitors younger than 18 must be accompanied by a permit holder.

The permit provides after-dark access to the parking lot only. Access to the observatory is not included, and scheduled programs or special events may occasionally limit access. Check out program offerings by visiting the Turner Farm Park website.

Before You Go

Permits are issued per person for visitors ages 18 and older.

• Visitors younger than 18 must be accompanied by a permit holder.
• Proof of permit must be available upon request.
• All Park Authority rules and policies apply.
• Permit does not include access to the observatory.

By balancing public access with conservation, the Night Viewing Permit helps ensure future generations can continue to experience the wonders of dark skies.

Turner Farm Park is located at 925 Springvale Road in Great Falls. For more information or to purchase a permit, visit the Turner Farm Park website or call 703-324-8700.

Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes the local community to beat the heat this summer at Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool — with an inclusive splash pad! All ages and abilities can enjoy this exciting new space located right next to the pool. 

The new, all-access splash pad opens for the 2026 summer season, replacing the tot pool that once stood in its place. When the existing tot pool needed renovation, Fairfax County Park Authority asked local residents to vote between installing a new one-foot- deep tot pool or a splash pad. The local community overwhelmingly voted in favor of installing a new splash pad. 

Featuring sprays and bucket dumps the splash pad is ready to keep the community cool as the summer heats up. Admission to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Pool and its new splash pad is free for all Fairfax County residents with proof of residency. Out of county residents may purchase a $50 annual pass online or at any of our Park Authority Rec Centers. The pool will be open noon to 7 p.m., weather permitting, on weekends through June 14 and from August 24 to September 7, and open daily (closed Tuesdays), June 20 to Aug. 23.

The Park Authority is planning a celebration for the opening of the splash pad on Saturday, June 13, noon to 3 p.m. The local community is invited to come out to enjoy the space with music, ice cream, a water exercise demonstration and water safety demonstration. Learn more about this celebration and the space online at Martin Luther King Jr. Pool website.

Fairfax County Park Authority is joining in the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States this year and helping the community to experience local history and sites throughout the county with a special Discovery Trail Map. The free map highlights Fairfax County parks, historic sites, nature centers and recreation facilities that connect to American history, local heritage and community life. From now through Labor Day — get outside, learn cool facts and win awesome prizes.

The map includes new stops, including Fort Willard and Oakton School House, along with favorites, such as Cub Run Rec Center, Riverbend Park and Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

How it works:

• Pick up a free Discovery Trail Map at Fairfax County Park Authority locations or download one by visiting the 250th Discovery Map website.
• Visit at least eight locations and answer the site’s question.
• Turn in your map at one of the prize redemption sites (or submit answers online) to earn an amusement prize pack — and be entered to win one of 12 grand prizes.

Take time this summer to spend time with friends and family and experience Fairfax250 by exploring the people, places and stories that shaped Fairfax County.

The 2025 Discovery Map is sponsored by the Fairfax County 250th Commission and 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.

Shine up the chrome, grab the family and cruise into Father’s Day at the 51st Annual Sully Antique Car Show on Sunday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sully Historic Site.

Explore hundreds of antique and classic cars; see judging and awards throughout the day; and enjoy restoration and specialty car displays, live music, food vendors, children’s activities, a kids’ tent and opportunities to explore Sully’s history.

New this year: Car owners can register online for faster, easier event entry.

Register your car for the show

Online tickets are available through June 19: $12 for adults ages 16-64, $10 for seniors ages 65 and older and $8 for children ages 15 and younger.

Get tickets to the Sully Antique Car Show

Day-of tickets are available at the gate: $15 for adults ages 16-64, $12 for seniors ages 65 and older and $10 for children ages 15 and younger.