Park Authority

Be part of a beloved Golf Fairfax tradition! Celebrate the season on the greens at Pinecrest and Greendale Golf Courses, where beautiful autumn scenes, outdoor fun and friendly competition come together. These tournaments are the perfect way to create unforgettable memories on the fairways this holiday season.

Fall Festival Scramble at Pinecrest Golf Course (Oct. 20)

6600 Little River Turnpike, Alexandria

Participants ages 7 and up will play in teams of two in a nine-hole scramble format. There will be prizes for first, second, and third place, as well as closest to pin. Teams will be separated into age divisions (adult/junior 7-12, adult/junior 13-17, and adult/adult) and are limited to the first 24 teams. Cost is $110 per team and includes lunch and carts. Learn more and register at the Pinecrest Golf Course website.

The 12th Annual Turkey Cup at Greendale Golf Course (Nov. 21)

6700 Telegraph Road, Alexandria

Participants ages 18 and older will compete to take home a Thanksgiving dinner and dessert in a two-player captain’s choice tournament with a shotgun start. Prizes will also be awarded for first and second place per division, as well as closest to the pin. Cost is $130 per team and includes lunch, greens fee, power cart and prizes. Registration closes Thursday, Nov. 14. Call 703-971-6170 for registration information or visit the Greendale Golf Course.

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority is preparing to welcome thousands of participants to a wide variety of camps and classes this winter. In response to very helpful feedback from the community, the Park Authority has taken a few steps to improve the registration process. To help manage system capacity and provide a better user experience for parents, the opening dates for camp and class registrations have been separated. Please see important registration updates below:

1. Registration for winter camps will open on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. Secure your spot for fun camp offerings taking place when schools close for holiday breaks and cultural observances. These single-day and two-day camp sessions run from Dec. 8 through Feb. 17. Start your break prep early by exploring the Winter Camp Guide or visiting the Camps website.
2. Registration for winter classes and events will open on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 9 a.m. Stay active and embrace the festive season with numerous classes and events sure to entertain the entire family. From events celebrating different holiday events to classes that will help you meet your fitness goals, excite the nature enthusiast and learn a new skill (swimming, art, chess, astronomy, etc.) — the Park Authority has a wealth of opportunities to explore. In preparation for Winter class registration, the Winter edition of Parktakes Magazine will be published online and subscribers will receive their copy of the magazine in their mailboxes by Nov. 15.

Every year, the Fairfax County Park Authority offers thousands of camps, classes and special events covering a wide variety of disciplines and interest areas, from athletics and recreation to the arts, history and natural sciences. To learn more about all the opportunities available through the park system, visit the Park Authority webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will be conducting trail maintenance and repairs along the Huntsman Lake Trail beginning Oct. 21. The repairs include repaving work and replacement of timbers along the trail. Weather pending, the trail will reopen Oct. 26.

The entirety of trail Loop A and Loop B will be closed for the duration of the work. Access to the playground and basketball court will be limited, as they are adjacent to the trails. Alternate Park Authority trails can be found using the Trail Buddy application.

Huntsman Park is located at 9150 Dorothy Lane, Springfield. Questions regarding this project can be directed to the Park Authority’s Communications Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on replacing the wooden border that surrounds the playground at Country Club View Park. Active construction activities are scheduled to begin on Oct. 10. Weather depending, work is anticipated to be completed by Oct.18. 

The playground will be closed during construction. Residents are encouraged to use the Park Amenity Locator to identify alternative playgrounds to use during the closure. 

Country Club View Park is located at 10609 Henrico St. in Fairfax. Questions regarding this project can be directed to the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority, joined by partners Volkswagen Group of America and The Great Outdoors Fund, celebrated the opening of a new dual-purpose basketball/futsal court at Stratton Woods Park in Reston. The event showcased the power of partnerships to deliver high-quality amenities in public spaces and inaugurated the futsal court with a youth clinic with programming by U.S. Sports Camps, featuring a special visit from members of the U.S. Men’s National Futsal Team.

This project addressed the pressing need for improving the existing court at Stratton Woods Park for the more than 80,000 park visitors who venture there each year. The opportunity also served to create a new recreational opportunity and to support the growing popularity of futsal within the community.

“Stratton Woods Park is a special place as it serves an opportunity area in Fairfax County and its diversity of activity represents the kinds of complete park experiences that the Park Authority seeks to create,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “This is a shining example of an effective public-private partnership to deliver an outstanding amenity intentionally placed in a community that is hungry for it, and that makes today extra special.”

This newly completed court is the first partnership project between the Park Authority, The Great Outdoors Fund and Volkswagen Group of America and serves the community, which is home to Volkswagen’s North American Headquarters.

“This project is near and dear to my heart,” said TGOF’s Founder Lori McCullough. “As a soccer mom, I understand firsthand the value of playing sports. Combining sports with the outdoors reaps priceless rewards on society. Facilities like this are about more than just sports—they promote healthy lifestyles and support community growth.”

“Soccer is a deep passion of mine. In fact, it was soccer that gave me the opportunity to move to the States while in college,” said Pablo Di Si, president and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America & Volkswagen brand North American Region. “This futsal court is more than just a place to play. It's a symbol of Volkswagen’s dedication to supporting healthy lifestyles, promoting inclusivity, and strengthening the bonds within our community. It also complements a variety of soccer programs Volkswagen supports nationally, including our presenting partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation.”

“The power of partnerships is real; it makes things happen in communities,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn. “The Fairfax County Park Authority has a strong reputation for the ability to find and work with corporate and civic partners, who are seeking new, creative and meaningful ways to play an active role in our communities.”

Stratton Woods Park is located at 2431 Fox Mill Road in Reston. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Get ready for a spooky, fun-filled Halloween season in Fairfax County parks! The Park Authority is presenting a fantastic lineup of Halloween programs and events are designed to delight all ages. Whether you’re looking for ghostly mini golf, tricks and treats or family-friendly ways to show off your favorite costume, we have events planned for all ghosts and goblins!

Goblin Golf

Burke Lake Park; Oct. 5-6, 12-13-19-20, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grab your Halloween costume (not required) and join us at Burke Lake Park for Halloween-themed mini golf, treats and spooky fun! Cost is $10 per person.

Farm Harvest Festival -- Big Trucks, Carnival Rides and Fall Fun!

Frying Pan Farm Park; Oct. 18 – 20

Join us at Frying Pan Farm Park for the Farm Harvest Festival, featuring Big Truck Night, carnival rides, games and tasty fair food! Enjoy unlimited ride specials on Friday night or Sunday for $25, or grab individual tickets on Saturday for even more fall fun. Parking is just $10 per day, so bring the family and celebrate the season with us! 

Halloween on the Farm

Frying Pan Farm Park; Oct. 25, from 5-7:30 p.m.

Trick-or-treat at Halloween on the Farm! Enjoy trick-or-treating on the farm, visit with farm animals, make spooky crafts, play Halloween game and take a tour of the decorated farmhouse. Cost is $10 per person. 

Haunted Mini Golf

Oakmont Rec Center; Oct. 25 and 26, from 4-9 p.m.

All werewolves, vampires and goblins (and their families) are invited for a fun night of mini golf. Trick-or-treat and win various goodies at Oakmont Mini Golf. Enjoy food trucks, face painting, popcorn and games. Come dressed in your best costume! Cost is $12 in advance and $15 at the door. 

Ghost Town

Burke Lake Park; Oct. 26 and 27, from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Get ready for a full day of fun at Burke Lake Park’s Ghost Town! Enjoy themed activities, a train ride, carousel, crafts, mini golf and a bounce house—all with no scares, just treats. Join the fun and make it a Halloween to remember! Cost is $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

Family Skate Night - Halloween Costume Skate and Dance Night

Franconia Rec Center; Oct. 26, from 6 – 10 p.m.

Wear your favorite Halloween costume. Party to the sounds of our DJ while showing your costume. Ghouls and Goblins be aware. Cost is $10 in advance, $15 at the door. 

Halloween Bash

South Run Rec Center; Oct. 26, beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Hustle down to the South Run Rec Center to join in some Halloween fitness fun featuring the Monter Mash 5K Dash, Halloween Fun Run 1-Mile, and Spooktacular Tiny Tot Trot with moon bounce and obstacle course for ages 2-4. Cost varies by event.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently repairing the basketball courts at Luria Park and Tyler Park. The basketball court improvements at both locations will include installation of new goals, crack repairs and a 2-inch overlay on the asphalt. Contractors mobilized on site this week, and weather permitting, active construction is anticipated to be completed by the first week of November 2024. Both parks will remain open during the construction.

Residents are encouraged to use the Park Amenity Locator to identify alternative courts to use during the construction.

Luria Park is located at 3314 Hartwell Court in Falls Church. Tyler Park is located at 7216 Rice St. in Falls Church.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to Project Manager Marcos Suarez by calling 571-595-2762 or emailing Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov. You can also contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved matching funds in the total amount of $20,000 to support the installation of fencing at fields 1 and 4 at Lake Fairfax Park. The fencing will assist with containing balls within the field of play and will achieve the Park Authority’s preferred standard for athletic field fencing where needed.

The applicant, Great Falls Reston Soccer Club (GFRSC), has committed to providing the majority of funding needed for the fencing project. The project budget totals $66,024 with GFRSC contributing $46,024 toward the improvement. The project will be undertaken by an approved county contractor and managed by the GFRSC. Weather pending, the project is scheduled to be completed this fall.

The Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program encourages public-private ventures that improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. It is designed to fill a gap between limited bond funding and the community’s desire for new or improved park facilities by assisting volunteers, community and user groups in improving park facilities by matching funds and in-kind services.

Since 1999, the program has awarded approximately $2.2 million in grants for projects valued at more than $16.5 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.

To learn more about the Mastenbrook Matching Funds Grant Program and to submit an application, visit the Mastenbrook Grants website.

Dozens of community volunteers came together to celebrate National Public Lands Day in the parks by helping clean up trash, remove invasive plants, clear trails and assist with landscape projects to beautify parks in every district of the county. Volunteers logged more than 200 hours of service dedicated to preserving and beautifying Fairfax County parkland.

Since 1994, National Public Lands Day has mobilized volunteers of all ages to engage in a celebration of service and stewardship of America’s public lands. The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy the nation’s public lands and open spaces.

“The Fairfax County Park Authority stewards more than 23,000 acres of parkland and 334 miles of trails throughout the county and we cannot understate the impact that we see across our park system as a result of our community volunteers,” said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority at a commemoration event at Franconia Rec Center. “Just last year, the Park Authority had 9,727 volunteers contribute 110,777 hours of volunteer service in our parks – that’s more than 12 years’ worth of service.”

Participation at this year’s National Public Lands Day events demonstrated that Fairfax County residents love their parks. With the growth and development across the country and in Fairfax County, communities are turning to public parks and open spaces to be centers of recreation, social engagement, the arts, and for connectivity to nature and local history.

The Park Authority expresses its gratitude to those who joined us on National Public Lands Day and to the thousands of volunteers who contribute their time, talents and energy in service to our park system. Their efforts have a tremendous impact on the experience enjoyed by the more than 18 million people who visit parks each year.

See the 2024 National Public Lands Day Photo Album

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s new Woodlands Stewardship Education Center was announced as a recipient of the 2024 James M. Scott Exceptional Design Awards administered by the Fairfax County Department of Planning and Development. The facility was recognized as an exemplary model of environmentally sensitive design that creates a seamless connection between built and natural environments.

Designed to wow adults and children alike, this interpretive facility demonstrates principles of environmental stewardship that make a world of difference in the way we interact with and affect our natural environment. From the use of reclaimed construction materials and sustainable energy and water sources to interactive learning activities and natural observation spaces, the center provides an incredible teaching platform for demonstrating technologies and processes that can reshape our individual relationship with the environment around us.

The building was designed to meet the rigorous standards of the Living Building Challenge – an achievement attained by only a small number of projects worldwide. These standards require meticulous attention to the development of a project in seven performance categories including Place, Water, Energy, Health and Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. Every aspect of the project involved intentional decision-making to preserve and protect the natural environment and provide a unique user experience for all who visit. The Park Authority will be eligible to apply for LBC certification after one full year of operation.

"Surgically and sensitively inserted into its setting," wrote the jury panel in its citation, "the center provides an inspiring and educational experience that harmonizes with nature earning it top honors for its design excellence."

The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center is located within Ellanor C. Lawrence Park at 5301 Walney Road in Chantilly. For more information about the facility, visit the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center website.