Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Nigel A. Fields to the position of deputy director for Planning and Development. Fields is a leader in conservation, park development and programming, and land use planning and management. He began his new role on Dec. 1 and succeeds Aimee Vosper, who is retiring from the Park Authority on Dec. 26 after 12 years of service.

"Nigel brings an impressive record of implementing visionary change in diverse parks and directing community renewal and partnership initiatives to his new role," Fairfax County Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole said. "We are excited to welcome him and his passion for environmental issues, cultural heritage, and community engagement to the Park Authority."

During his distinguished career, Fields has held senior positions at the National Park Service and the Environmental Protection Agency and served parks from the Great Smoky Mountains to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Most recently, he served as director of the EPA’s Office of Community Revitalization, where he directed land use, disaster resilience, and community-based climate justice programs.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

When the weather turns chilly, Fairfax County Park Authority provides many ways to stay active and entertained during the winter season — bring your family and friends out to our seasonal events, coordinate attendance at our winter camps and register for classes together.

Still Time for Seasonal Events

Embrace the magic of the season by attending events where kids can meet Santa, all ages can get festive indoors or outdoors, and the whole family can take on activities that bring the season to life. Explore a comprehensive list of events and their details on the Park Events Calendar website.

Don’t forget the start the year off on the right foot with First Hike — head out into our parks for a hike and submit your photos for our contest. Visit the First Hike Fairfax website for more information.

Stay Cool at Winter Camp

When schools close, winter camps are in session. There’s no shortage of exciting activities to enjoy at camp this season from hitting the stage or creating an artistic masterpiece to enjoying the outdoors or learning a new sport to exploring the world of STEM or building a new business. Mark your calendars:

• Dec. 22-26 (no camp Dec. 24-25)
• Dec. 29-Jan. 2 (no camp Jan. 1)
• Jan. 19
• Jan. 29-30
• Feb. 16-17

Check out everything our winter camps have to offer by visiting the Camps website. 

Move, Learn and Discover with Classes

Take some time for yourself this winter by registering for classes. The Park Authority offers classes for every age and every interest:

• Build skating skills on the ice.
• Create with arts and crafts.
• Dance your way into the new year.
• Achieve your goals with a sport.
• Elevate your fitness.
• Explore nature.
• Choose your own adventure with extras.
• Learn lifesaving swim skills.

Browse the full lineup of classes and ways to stay active with Parktakes online.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

The Turner Farmhouse Foundation invites the community to its annual Pancake Breakfast and Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at the historic Turner Farmhouse in Great Falls. The event is free, open to the public and includes onsite parking. Guests are encouraged to RSVP online; tickets are provided at no cost.

The Turner Farmhouse Foundation serves as the resident curator for the farmhouse and its outbuildings through the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program. In partnership with organizations, such as the Becky Love Foundation and Comfort Zone Camps, the Foundation uses the outbuildings to operate a retreat center and host bereavement programs.

Built in 1905, the Turner Farmhouse is a 3,216-square-foot Queen Anne style home located at 10609 Georgetown Pike within a 52-acre community park at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road. The former Mark Turner Dairy Farm is a rare surviving example of early 20th century agricultural life in the Great Falls area. Many original architectural details, including hardwood floors, fireplaces and a formal parlor, remain intact. Several historic outbuildings further reflect the site’s rural heritage.

The Resident Curator Program offers long-term, no-rent leases to individuals and organizations committed to rehabilitating and maintaining significant historic properties on public parkland. In exchange, curators ensure reasonable public access to these sites, including hosting an annual open house.

For more information about the Resident Curator Program, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority Resident Curator Program website or contact Program Manager Stephanie Langton at 571-407-6586.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

Lake Fairfax Park has been named one of RV LIFE’s “Best of the Best” Campgrounds for 2025, placing it among the top 25% of campgrounds nationwide. The recognition reflects outstanding reviews, high satisfaction ratings and strong engagement from RV LIFE members, who continue to share glowing firsthand experiences at the park.

RV LIFE evaluates campgrounds across the country based on recent reviews, quality of feedback and overall guest experience. Lake Fairfax Park stood out for its spacious, wooded campsites, exceptionally clean bathhouses, and miles of scenic, hiker and bike-friendly trails that make it a favorite stay for RV travelers.

Guests consistently praised the privacy, natural beauty and safety of the campground. Many noted that it “feels like you’re in the woods, not a parking lot,” thanks to the generous spacing between sites and the park’s serene setting. Others highlighted the park team’s dedication to keeping facilities spotless, with daily cleanings and well-maintained amenities.

Operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, Lake Fairfax Park offers a rare blend of tranquility, recreation and convenience. Easy access to Metro’s Silver Line makes it a perfect home base for visitors exploring D.C., while still enjoying a peaceful retreat at day’s end.

In addition to camping, visitors can enjoy:

• The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, a beloved seasonal water park.
• Seasonal boat rentals and waterfront views on the lake.
• Extensive hiking and biking trails winding through the wooded landscape.
• Large outdoor rental spaces and pavilions perfect for gatherings and events.
• Playgrounds, athletic fields and a variety of family-friendly amenities.

Its scenic setting, spacious sites and exceptional amenities are exactly why RV guests continue to give Lake Fairfax Park top marks nationwide.

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

Join family, friends and neighbors at the parks this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-themed activities and events to choose from, Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone — from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself! Here are just a few highlights:

Holiday on the Farm

Frying Pan Farm Park, Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 20; 4:30-7:30 p.m.

Get ready for an evening on the farm with bright holiday lights, wagon rides, indoor activities, animal attractions, campfires, cocoa and visits with Santa. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door. 

Winter Wonderland

Burke Lake Park, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 21; 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

Experience the magic of the holidays with train rides on the Holiday Express, carousel spins and s’mores by the fire. Meet Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 

Holiday Magic at Colvin Run Mill

Children’s Holiday Shopping at Historic Colvin Run

Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7; times available between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Attend this special event where children can shop for holiday gifts in a historic setting. Tickets are $7 per child. 

Santa at the Mill

Saturday, Dec. 13 and Sunday, Dec. 14; multiple times

Meet Santa in the charming setting of Colvin Run Mill. Times available from 3 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Sensory-friendly options available as well! Ticket prices vary. 

Holiday Lantern Tour at Colvin Run Mill

Friday, Dec. 19; 6:30 p.m.

Tour the historic mill by candlelight and discover holiday traditions of the past. Tickets are $12 per person. 

Swim with Santa

Spring Hill Rec Center, Sunday, Dec. 7; 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Celebrate the holiday season with a festive-themed pool party and the opportunity to swim with Santa at Spring Hill Rec Center. Children ages 7-12 can join in the fun 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per child. 

Candy Cane Lane

Oakmont Rec Center, Saturday, Dec. 13; 3-7 p.m.

Stroll down Candy Cane Lane for a game of mini golf with Mrs. Claus. Come out to meet Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and other sweet treats, work on crafts, and have fun. Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door. 

Holiday and Ugly Sweater Skate and Dance Night

Franconia Rec Center, Saturday, Dec. 20; 6-10 p.m.

Celebrate the holiday in style by wearing your brightest, most festive sweater (or holiday outfit) of the season. Make the season bright by taking laps around the skate floor with friends and family. Tickets cost $10 per person. 

For a comprehensive list of events, dates, and registration details, please visit the Park Authority’s Events Calendar website.

Start 2026 on the right foot with the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation’s annual First Hike Photo Contest! Community members of all ages and abilities are invited to join the fun and explore the beauty of Fairfax County parks.

How To Participate:

1. Take a Hike. Enjoy a stroll through any of the Park Authority’s 420 parks or along more than 334 miles of trails on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026.
2. Capture the Moment. Snap a fantastic photo during your adventure.
3. Submit Your Best Shot. Upload your photo online by noon on Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, for a chance to win great prizes!

Join a nationwide First Day Hike tradition and kick off your year with an adventure! Whether you’re an experienced hiker or stepping onto the trail for the first time, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family, friends and neighbors. This family-friendly community activity is open to photographers of all levels.

Each participant may submit one photo in one of the following categories:

• Scenery/Landscapes
• People
• Wildlife
• Pets

Multiple family members may participate individually. Please remember to follow all park rules and safety protocols. Photos depicting rule violations will be disqualified.

The following prizes are sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

• People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Director’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (People): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Wildlife): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Pets): $75 Park Authority Gift Card

Complete contest rules, submission instructions, and hike-planning resources can be found on the First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest website.

Hit the trails, capture the moment, and start the new year with a win!

For questions about the First Hike Photo Contest, contact the Park Authority Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

Channel your alter ego and achieve the ultimate glory by conquering the 2026 Healthy Strides Heroes vs. Villains 5K/10K. Whether you gravitate towards the light side or dark side, all are invited to join the race at Burke Lake Park on Saturday, May 2.

Fairfax County Park Authority looks forward to hosting this exciting annual event. The event starts at 7:30 a.m. and features a 5K (3.1 miles), as well as a competitive 10K (6.2 miles). Race participants can also register their children to participate in a Tots Dash (ages 2-5) and Kids Dash (ages 6-10).

Register by Jan. 1 to get a $5 discount using the code RUN2026HS. Get your tickets early to secure your spot — and to lock in your receipt of the themed shirt and commemorative medal.

Register for the 2026 Healthy Strides Heroes vs. Villains 5K/10K

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 event goes to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to support beautiful Burke Lake Park.

Come out to cheer for the runners and enjoy the post-race refreshments and party. Please note that all race participants and spectators must wait until the race is over before leaving the park, since roadways will be closed for the runners.

Explore all the ways to become a partner and support the 2026 event as a sponsor through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Visit the foundation’s Healthy Strides webpage.

Stay up to date on this race, as well as other Fairfax County Park Authority Healthy Strides programs, including the ongoing, free virtual fitness classes by visiting the Healthy Strides website.

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

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

About 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 Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582.

Recognizing the importance of community participation, the Park Authority Board is seeking public input to ensure the proposed 2026 Fee Schedule reflects the priorities of Fairfax County residents. To provide additional time for community members to share their perspectives, the public comment period has been extended to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4.

The Fairfax County Park Authority presented the proposed 2026 Park Authority Fee Schedule for consideration at the Oct. 22 meeting of the Park Authority Board, launching an essential community engagement process. Each year, the Park Authority Board reviews potential fee adjustments with the goal of balancing user impact with the financial stability needed to sustain high-quality park programs and services. Pending adoption, the 2026 Fee Schedule will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Park fees support the operation and maintenance of Fairfax County’s extensive park system, including recreation centers, golf courses, nature centers, camps, classes, water parks, amusements and other programs and amenities that provide millions of visitors with enriching and memorable experiences.

Residents may submit comments through one of the following channels:

Online Submission: Comments may be submitted via PublicInput.

Via U.S. Mail:

Fairfax County Park Authority Public Information Office

Attn: 2026 Fee Schedule Comments

12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 925

Fairfax, VA 22035

Community members are encouraged to participate in this important discussion and help shape the future of Fairfax County’s parks and recreational facilities. For more information about the proposed fee schedule, please visit our PublicInput webpage, or contact the Park Authority at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

The Beaver Boogie 5K is back! Join the Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) on Saturday, Nov. 29 for the third-annual fun run and walk at Lake Accotink Park.

Runners, walkers, families and nature enthusiasts will enjoy a stunning route while supporting FLAP, a volunteer nonprofit dedicated to preserving Lake Accotink Park’s natural, historical and cultural resources. All proceeds will fund park projects and programs.

Event Details

Packet pickup begins at 9 a.m. on race day. Race starts at 10 a.m.

What’s New This Year?

For an even better experience, Kilroy’s will host an optional $10 pasta dinner, which can be added when registering on Eventbrite.

Awards and Prizes

The Beaver Boogie includes multiple race categories, such as:

• Men’s/Women’s Run-Walk: First, second and third places
• Overall: First, second and third place winners
• Additional categories to be announced

Awards

• Backpacks filled with awesome prizes
• Winners in the overall first to third places will receive the coveted handmade FLAPer Boogie Beaver award

Raffle

Every participant’s race bib includes a raffle ticket. Prizes include exciting items, such as a brand-new kayak and other surprise giveaways.

Registration Details

Race fee is $25 per participant. For more information or to register, visit Lake Acotink Park’s Friends webpage.

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield. For more information about the park, visit the Lake Accotink Park website or call 703-569-3464.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a virtual public meeting to present the findings of a survey of Peake Family Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:00 p.m. Details on how to view and participate the meeting are available online at the Peake Family Cemetery project website.

Following the meeting, the Park Authority will accept public comments on the proposed interpretation of the site until 5 p.m. on January 10. Comments can be submitted online via the project website. 

During the restoration of the Peake Family Cemetery, which began last spring, the Park Authority conducted a ground-penetrating radar survey of the site to identify potential unmarked burials. The project was overseen by archaeologists with specialized training in cemetery care and caused no ground disturbance. Work on the site has included addressing landscape issues and will continue with gravestone cleaning, setting and repair.

This project is part of the Park Authority’s ongoing work to preserve and restore historic cemeteries in Fairfax County. In addition to site restoration, the Park Authority is planning to update the existing interpretive signs at the cemetery and is requesting assistance from the surrounding community and historical organizations. The archaeology team seeks historic records, photographs, and/or family histories, which may help in identifying unmarked graves and contribute to the interpretive history of the site. Potential burials could include members of the Ford, Javins, Brown, Bigsby and Fisher families.

Historic records, photos and histories may be submitted online at the Peake Family Cemetery project website. All materials received will be reviewed by the archaeology team. The researched histories and the results of the ground-penetrating radar survey of the site will inform the narrative and design of interpretive signs later in the year.

For additional project background and information, including a recorded project overview, visit the Peake Family Cemetery project website. The Peake Family Cemetery is located adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Park and the Gum Springs Community Center at 8115 Fordson Road in Alexandria.