Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council award in recognition of its exceptional energy efficiency improvements at the Spring Hill Rec Center. This honor highlights FCPA’s leadership in sustainability and its commitment to reducing energy consumption across its facilities.

Joshua Smith and Keith Snyder, of the Fairfax County Park Authority, accepted the award during the official presentation last week, expressing their gratitude for the recognition and sharing the importance of this landmark project.

"This award is a testament to our commitment to being stewards of Fairfax County’s natural resources," Snyder said. “Through initiatives like those at the Spring Hill Rec Center, we are not only protecting the environment for future generations but are also making smart financial decisions that benefit our community directly. This project demonstrates what is possible when we work together to integrate sustainable solutions into our parks and facilities."

The energy efficiency improvements made at the Spring Hill Rec Center reflect three key principles:

1. Environmental Stewardship: This project highlights FCPA’s role in ensuring these spaces are environmentally sustainable for generations to come. At the Rec Center campus, even unprogrammed land contributes to the building’s sustainability. Future residents and patrons will be able to recreate on the same ground that conditions the Rec Center.
2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings: The project achieved a 37% reduction in energy use. Through the County’s energy services contract (ESCO), utilities savings exceeded expectations, with a utility cost avoidance of more than $116,000 annually, far surpassing the guaranteed savings of $67,118. This project allowed the Park Authority to meet Fairfax County’s 25% energy reduction goal ahead of the 2030 milestone in the County Operational Energy Strategy.
3. Collaborative Effort: The Fairfax County Office of Energy and Environmental Coordination, energy services contractor CMTA, ICF and Washington Gas all played pivotal roles in funding, design, procurement and construction phases of the improvements. This diverse team worked collaboratively to thoroughly review the existing building equipment and HVAC systems at Spring Hill Rec Center and develop this creative option that enhanced maintenance and reliability.

"The Spring Hill Recreation Center project is not only one of the largest geothermal HVAC and solar installations in the county but also a proof of concept for large-scale energy retrofits and renewable integration," Kevin Smith, division manager of OEEC said. “This effort showcases how innovations like this can help us reach our goal of carbon neutrality in government operations by 2040. Energy efficiency remains central to our climate goals, and these partnerships are key to making ambitious projects like this successful.”

Spring Hill Rec Center is located at 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean. For more information, visit the Spring Hill Rec Center website or call 703-827-0989. 

About Virginia Energy Efficiency Council

The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council is a statewide organization that promotes energy efficiency as a path to drive economic growth and environmental sustainability. The Council recognizes leaders who demonstrate commitment and innovation in energy efficiency practices that set benchmarks for other organizations across Virginia.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax Couty 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 Fairfax County Park Authority website.

Observatory Park at Turner Farm is kicking off a new season of monthly astronomy programs and events designed to bring the night sky to life for registrants of all ages. Cool evenings in fall and winter are the perfect backdrop for stargazing, hands-on learning and unforgettable community experiences.

Program highlights:

• Astronomy Festivals – Gather with family and friends for telescope viewing, fun activities, and storytelling around the campfire.
• Night Sky Tours – Explore planets, constellations, stars and galaxies with telescopes or just your eyes.
• Planet Adventure Nights – Enjoy a lively evening of astronomy fun for all ages.
• Introduction to Astronomy – A beginner-friendly program that opens the door to stargazing.
• Scout Programs – Earn badges with specialized astronomy and space science activities for Scouts of all levels.

Winter registration starts on Tuesday, Nov. 12. Mark your calendars, spots fill quickly!

Explore the Night Sky – Free Sponsored Viewing

Join us for a free public viewing on Friday, Oct. 17, thanks to a generous sponsorship. The evening program will focus on viewing opportunities at the park and share simple ways to explore the night sky from home. Guests can also enjoy a solar system walk and Dark Sky education activities. Registration is free but required. A rain date is set for Saturday, Oct. 18.

Register for Turner Farm programs

Support the Stars

Sponsorship opportunities are available for community members, organizations and businesses that want to support these programs and expand public access with free of charge astronomy viewings in Fairfax County.

Turner Farm is located at 925 Springvale Road in Great Falls. For more information about upcoming programs or sponsorships, visit the Turner Farm website or call 703-324-8700. 

Golf Fairfax invites golfers of all ages to Laurel Hill Golf Club for a spook-tacular celebration at the Eisman Golf Academy Student Appreciation Day, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. Hosted by the Eisman Golf Academy, this free event combines the fun of fall with the spirit of golf and features games, contests, prizes, food and festive activities for the whole family. Participants are encouraged to RSVP and come in costume for a chance to win a prize for Best Costume!

The event will feature:

• Longest Drive Competition: Show off your skills and compete in our Longest Drive Competition for men, women and juniors (12 and under). Prizes will be presented for the longest drive in each division.
• Delicious Food: Savor a selection of treats to keep your energy up throughout the day.
• Short Game & Flop Wall Challenge: Compete for prizes and sharpen your skills in the crowd-favorite short game events.
• Range and Putting Contests: Test your precision and win fun prizes in our range and putting contests.

Find out more about Student Appreciation Day and Register

The Eisman Golf Academy is led by instructor Jon Eisman, who is ranked Top Teacher in Virginia by Golf Digest. The academy offers a variety of lessons, classes and camps at Laurel Hill Golf Club. The EGA Performance Lab located at Laurel Hill Golf Club is a state-of-the-art facility designed for golfers of all levels who are serious about improving their game. The EGA Performance lab features cutting-edge technology and equipment that provides detailed analysis and feedback, allowing coaches to tailor instruction to specific golfer needs.

The Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Crest Drive in Lorton. For more information, visit the Laurel Hill Golf Club website or call 703-493-8849. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority has completed major upgrades at Wakefield Park, creating the county’s largest pickleball complex. The project added six new dedicated pickleball courts, bringing the total to eight and expanding recreation opportunities for players of all ages and skill levels.

As part of the renovation, one tennis court was converted into four dedicated pickleball courts, while two dual-use courts were returned to tennis-only play. With these changes, Wakefield Park now offers a total of 18 courts and one practice area, including 10 tennis courts and eight pickleball courts.

In addition to the court reconfiguration, the three basketball courts located behind the skate park were resurfaced and recoated to improve playability and safety. These improvements reflect FCPA’s ongoing commitment to meeting the growing community demand for pickleball and enhancing access to high-quality recreational facilities throughout Fairfax County.

Community members can explore tennis and pickleball facilities throughout Fairfax County using the Park Amenity Locator. Countywide, there are currently 95 pickleball courts, including dedicated and dual-use courts shared with other sports, such as tennis. There are 191 dedicated and dual-use tennis courts.

Wakefield Park is located at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin evaluating a Resident Curator Program application for curatorship of the historic Lahey Lost Valley house, located at 9750 Brookmeadow Drive, Vienna. The assessment process will include livestreamed work sessions, a public meeting and a public comment period. Details pertaining to the application and opportunities for submitting public comments are now available at the Lahey Lost Valley webpage.

The evaluation team will convene its initial work session at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10. The session will be livestreamed at the Lahey Lost Valley webpage and a recording will be made available following the meeting. The public meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13 at Oakton Library. Public comments will be accepted online and via mail starting Oct. 9 through Nov. 14 at 5 p.m.

At least one subsequent session will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 17. While the work sessions will be viewable by the public, they will not include a public comment period.

The Lahey Lost Valley House is a mid-18th century brick-hall parlor house with a 1940s brick addition. The house is located on land granted to William Gunnell in 1730. His son Henry Gunnell, together with Henry’s wife, Catherine, built a working plantation on the site by 1760. The Gunnell family were leaders in Fairfax County throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. The family continued to own the property through the 1930s.

In 1940, the house and 45 acres were sold to Richard and Carlotta Lahey. The Laheys moved a wood-framed kitchen addition off the brick house and used it as a freestanding artist’s studio. In its place, the Laheys constructed a two-story brick addition. Between 1990 and 1991, Carlotta Lahey arranged with FCPA a bequest to be included in her will to donate the house, furnishings and 22 acres of land. FCPA took possession of the property after Mrs. Lahey passed away in 1999.

The Resident Curator Program offers long-term lease agreements to qualified tenants in beautiful public park settings. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties.

Learn more by visiting the Resident Curator Program website. For additional questions, contact Stephanie Langton, manager of the Resident Curator Program, at 571-407-6586 or the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

After public outreach and careful consideration of feedback from both the tennis and pickleball communities, the Fairfax County Park Authority will not be moving forward at this time with a proposal to establish new dedicated pickleball courts at Franconia Rec Center.

Additionally, the existing dual-use pickleball and tennis court will revert to tennis-only use. Weather permitting, court work is expected to begin the week of Oct. 19. Court closures will be posted at least 24 hours in advance. Once complete, the site will offer three dedicated tennis courts, four dedicated pickleball courts, and a four-section practice wall.

Community members can explore tennis and pickleball facilities throughout Fairfax County using the Park Amenity Locator. Countywide, there are currently 95 pickleball courts, including dedicated and dual-use courts shared with other sports, such as tennis. There are 191 dedicated and dual-use tennis courts.

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to approve a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program grant totaling $12,928 to support enhancements at Chantilly Park Field 1. The total estimated cost for this improvement project is $25,856.

The Chantilly Youth Association sought to enhance Chantilly Park Field 1 by replacing aging outfield fencing with taller, higher-quality fencing to improve both aesthetics and playability. The existing fencing had exceeded its expected lifecycle and no longer met the standards for competitive play.

The project replaced the previous 4-foot outfield fencing with new 10-foot fencing, and the left field section with 20-foot fencing to align the field with FCPA standards for diamond fields. These upgrades not only improve the visual appeal of the park, but also enhance safety and functionality, reducing the potential for balls to leave the field and allowing for play by older age groups and a wider range of competitive levels. The improvements will maximize field usage and provide an impressive backdrop for tournaments and local league events.

The total project cost of $25,856 was shared equally between the Chantilly Youth Association and the Park Authority through the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program. The work was coordinated by the Park Operations Division and completed using the county’s fencing contractor, which had recently upgraded other fencing at the field’s backstop, wings and dugouts. The grant was approved on Sept. 24, 2025, and the project has been completed.

Chantilly Park is located at 4521 Stringfellow Road in Chantilly.

The Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program encourages public-private partnerships that improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. Since 1999, the program has awarded approximately $2.2 million in grants for projects valued at more than $16.6 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.

For more information or to apply for a matching grant, visit the Mastenbrook Grants website or call 703-324-8740. Applications are available at the Mastenbrook Grants website.

Parks across Fairfax County abounded with lively entertainment and overjoyed audiences with the return of the Summer Entertainment Series for 2025. The free, live performances brought to the community by Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation featured concerts by renowned musical groups, children’s entertainment, international cultural showcases and outdoor movies.

The popular outdoor performances brought the community together from June through August to enjoy entertainment with families and friends. As the 2025 summer season ended, FCPA looked back on the year filled with community and entertainment. This year featured:

• 189 free, live performances
• 4 outdoor movies
• 10 local series
• 14 venues
• 35,141 estimated attendees

The Summer Entertainment Series comes to the Fairfax County community through a partnership with FCPA, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and FCPF, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers who contribute to the success of these entertainment series. The free performances and movies are possible thanks to the many private donations and sponsorships, which pay performer’s fees.

FCPA and FCPF would like to acknowledge the support of the 2025 Summer Entertainment Series by the following sponsors:

• Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust
• Arrowbrook Centre LLC
• Dominion Energy
• Interstate Moving|Relocation|Logistics
• Mosaic
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Pulte Homes
• 66 Express Lanes Outside the Beltway
• Transurban-495/95/395 Express Lanes
• Virginia Commission for the Arts
• Wegmans
• Workhouse Arts Center
• RZ Foundation
• Capital One Hall
• Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home and Fairfax Memorial Park
• Family & Friends of Bob Lydick
• Lerner Enterprises
• Crabtree Family Foundation
• EYA LLC
• Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park
• Great American Restaurants
• Hilltop Sand and Gravel
• McGuireWoods
• Pohanka Automotive
• Tysons Corner Center
• The Adler Foundation
• Bunnyman Brewing
• Chaney Enterprises
• Federal Realty
• Kings Park West Civic Association
• McLean Project for the Arts
• NOVEC
• PNC
• Sheehy Auto Group
• Supporters of Mason District Park
• Vulcan
• Walsh, Colucci, Lubley & Walsh PC
• Westfield Business Owners Association
• West Springfield Car Care
• Brynmor Early Education and Preschool
• CRC Companies LLC
• Anonymous Donors
• Canterbury Woods Civic Association
• Hello Garage

Explore these sponsors, as well as the ways you can join in supporting the Summer Entertainment Series for 2026 by visiting the FCPF Summer Entertainment Series webpage.

Stay tuned for details about next year’s series that will be released in May 2026 at FCPA’s Summer Entertainment Series website.

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.

Every two years, Golf Digest surveys top instructors across the country to identify the best teachers in each state. For the 2026–2027 season, Jon Eisman has once again been honored as one of Virginia’s “Best Teachers in Every State”—an outstanding recognition that continues his nearly decadelong streak of being named among the state’s top instructors. Eisman is the director of instruction and owner of the Eisman Golf Academy at Laurel Hill Golf Club and Twin Lakes Golf Course.

Eisman has nearly two decades of experience and remains in high demand for his expertise and leadership in golf instruction. In 2024, the Eisman Golf Academy, at Laurel Hill Golf Club, opened a 2,600-square-foot performance lab featuring two indoor-outdoor bays designed for one-on-one instruction. The performance lab has quickly become a destination for golfers of all levels, from beginners learning the fundamentals to seasoned players working on refining their skills.

"I’m honored by this recognition, but even more grateful for the students, peers and colleagues who make it all possible," Eisman said. "Their support drives me to keep raising the bar and to help every golfer unlock their full potential."

The Eisman Academy’s team of professionals combines golf expertise with research-driven instruction. The Eisman Golf Performance Center at Laurel Hill features the latest technology, including Swing Catalyst and Trackman, allowing for year-round instruction. In addition to swing analysis, the Eisman Golf Academy offers camps, private lessons, nine-hole on-course instruction and junior programs at both Laurel Hill and Twin Lakes.

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 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.

Grab your sweater, your pumpkin-spiced latte, and head out for a crisp morning on the fairways, where friendly competition is calling at two of Golf Fairfax’s most festive fall tournaments. Whether you’re testing your skills with just four clubs or teaming up with a partner in a festive scramble, these fall tournaments promise friendly competition, great prizes and plenty of memories from the fairways.

Four Club Classic at Jefferson District Golf Course (Saturday, Oct. 4)

Test your skills in this unique nine-hole stroke play tournament, where each player is limited to only four clubs in their bag. Golfers ages 18 and older will compete for prizes and bragging rights in the final event of the Jefferson Cup series. Cost is $40 per player. Tee times begin at 9 a.m. Rain date is Oct. 11. To register, visit the Pro Shop or call 703-573-0444.

Jefferson District Golf Course is located at 7900 Lee Highway, Falls Church. Visit the Jefferson Golf Course website for more information.

Fall Festival Scramble at Pinecrest Golf Course (Sunday, Oct. 19)

Celebrate the season with a festive wrap-up to your golf year. Teams of two will compete in a nine-hole scramble with divisions for adults (18+), adult/junior ages 7–12, and adult/junior ages 13–17. Prizes will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each division, along with closest to the pin. Entry fee is $110 per team and includes lunch, cart and prizes. The event is limited to the first 24 teams. Play begins with a 9 a.m. shotgun start, followed by a prize ceremony and lunch. Rain date is Oct. 26. To register, call 703-941-1061 or sign up by visiting the Fairfax Golf website.

Pinecrest Golf Course is located at 6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria. Visit the Pinecrest Golf Course website for more information.

Discover more about fall tournaments, Golf Fairfax's seven courses, golf classes, special events and more at the Park Authority Golf website.