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| Halloweekend Thrills Await in Fairfax Parks! |
Burke Lake Park, Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, Choose times between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grab your Halloween costume (not required) and join us at Burke Lake Park for Halloween-themed mini golf, treats and family fun! Cost is $10 per person. Farm Harvest Festival – Big Trucks, Carnival Rides and Fall Fun! Frying Pan Farm Park, Oct. 17-19 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. Learn more. Sensory-Friendly Family Trick-or-Treat Clemjyjontri Park, Oct. 19, 1-6 p.m. Celebrate Halloween in a calm, inclusive, sensory-friendly way at Clemjyjontri Park. Enjoy a variety of fun and accessible activities, including the carousel, train, arts and crafts, sensory tent and themed treat stations throughout the playground, all with reduced noise and sensory support. Costumes are welcome but not required. Tickets cost $20 per person. Secure your ticket to the all-inclusive fun. Frying Pan Farm Park, Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m. or Oct. 26, 4:30-6:30 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 games and take a tour of the decorated farmhouse. Cost is $12 per person. Register today. Oakmont Rec Center, Oct. 24-25, 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. Register today. Burke Lake Park; Oct. 25-26, 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 tons of treats — no scares, just treats. Join the fun and make it a Halloween to remember. Cost is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Ticket pickup for registrants, 3 p.m. Register today. South Run Rec Center, Oct. 25, beginning at 3:30 p.m. Hustle down to the South Run Rec Center to join in some Halloween fitness fun featuring the Monster Mash 5K Dash, Halloween Fun Run 1-Mile and Spooktacular Tiny Tot Trot. Come in your best costume to enjoy the spooktacular atmosphere with your community. Cost is $25 for the 5K and $15 for other runs. Register today. Family Skate Night - Halloween Costume Skate and Dance Night Franconia Rec Center, Oct. 25, 5-10 p.m. Ghouls and goblins beware — Halloween Family Skate and Dance Night is coming to Franconia Rec Center. Gather your favorite spooky crew and head out for this thrilling family-friendly event with tunes sure to bring you back from the dead. Cost is $10 per person. Register today. Mark your calendars, grab your costumes, and step into a month of Halloween adventures across Fairfax County parks by visiting our Events Calendar. |
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| Roll Out to Family Skate and Dance Night |
Get festive and spend an evening taking a spin around the gym floor on wheels or dancing alongside friends and neighbors. Remember to bring your own skates (or dancing shoes). Pizza, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets cost $10 for everyone and can be purchased online or at the door. Roll out to these upcoming events:
Save the date for the Holiday and Ugly Sweater Family Skate and Dance Night coming on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. Prepare to put your craziest holiday sweater to the test. Register for Family Skate Night Patrons can find Skate and Dance Night parking in the lower parking lot by driving past the front of the Rec Center and parking in the lot to the right. Enter the event by the gym doors located near the parking lot. Please note that outside food and drinks are not permitted. Skate nights now can be booked for private parties to celebrate birthdays or other events. Call 703-922-9841 to inquire. Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website or call 703-922-9841. |
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| Discover Wellness at Park Authority Rec Centers During September Open House |
Drop by anytime, all day to explore the Rec Center and see how it can help you meet your fitness goals. Tour the building, try out amenities, use equipment in the Fitness Center, swim a lap in the pool and more. Free entry requires signup for a free, 7-day trial membership or the purchase of a 30-day for $30 pass at the Rec Center. The celebration kicks up a notch in the evening with special programming between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. including a membership information table, arts and crafts and giveaways Rec Centers plan special activities during their Open House evening hours. For example, celebrate Cub Run Rec Center’s 20th anniversary during their event with a foam party, games, treats, toddler play opportunities, featured class demonstrations, and mascot meet-and-greet. Find your nearest Rec Center and explore the Open House lineup below:
Make a commitment to your health by purchasing annual membership to the Park Authority’s Rec Centers. Score big with a 15% discount on annual membership when you purchase by Sept. 30. Annual membership provides access to any of our nine Rec Centers, each with their own amenities. Enjoy flexible membership options with no initiation fees. Join today to access:*
*Space permitting, amenities vary by location. Purchase in-person at Rec Centers or by visiting the Rec Center passes webpage. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers website. |
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| ParktoberFest Returns to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park |
This year’s festival fun includes:
Bring a blanket, relax on the lawn, and enjoy an afternoon of music, food and fall fun in the park! This event is free for all guests. Free parking is available at the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, the lot beside Walney Pond and the Walney Visitor Center (with a short trail walk to Cabell’s Mill). Walking and biking to the site are also encouraged. ParktoberFest is presented by the Friends of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Friends group supports the park and the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center through programs, events, fundraising and community activities. For more information, visit the ParktoberFest webpage. The Ellanor C. Lawrence Middlegate House is located at 5235 Walney Road in Chantilly. For more information, visit the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park website or call 703-631-0013. |
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| VDOF Grant Supports Regional Push To Protect Fairfax County Parklands from Invasive Plants |
Through NatCap PRISM, the grant will enable FCPA to deploy a specialized strike team to control invasive species on more than 100 acres of parkland. The team’s focus will be on Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program species, which spread quickly and threaten native plants. The project also funds follow-up restoration at previously treated sites to protect recovery progress and enhances community outreach with new on-site signage, an article in the Bay Journal and repairs to boot brush stations that reduce the spread of invasive seeds. Get involvedResidents play a critical role in keeping parks healthy. Learn how to spot and reduce invasive plants in your yard. Learn more about volunteering at a workday and explore native alternatives by visiting the Invasive Management Area Program website. Invasive Management Area (IMA) funding is provided by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Environmental Improve Plan in support of the board’s Environmental Vision. The County’s Environmental Vision helps to guide environmental sustainability initiatives, strategies, policies and programs. Visit the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors website for more details. The IMA Program is also supported in part 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. |
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| Resident Curator Applications Accepted for Dranesville Tavern Through Oct. 10 |
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 a financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties. The Dranesville Tavern is one of the few remaining examples of a rural Virginia inn or ordinary. Built at the intersection of two major roads (Georgetown Pike and Alexandria Leesburg Pike), it served travelers moving through the region. Built in 1823 by Stanford Cockerille, it originally consisted of two two-story log structures connected by a dogtrot. The inn changed hands over the years with various owners adding onto the original structure. The tavern remained open to the public until 1946, and to boarders until 1968. In the 1970s, the tavern was threatened by the expansion of Route 7 until FCPA purchased it and moved it 135 feet away from its original location. To identify potential lessees in the Resident Curator Program, FCPA is seeking proposals for the rehabilitation of the house in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation. Curators will be determined through an open and competitive process, based on several criteria, including a formal proposal, demonstrated experience and competency in historic preservation techniques, financial capabilities and the incorporation of public benefits. Complete application forms and additional information about the properties are available by visiting the Resident Curator Program’s Dranesville Tavern webpage. For more information, contact Stephanie Langton, Resident Curator Program manager, at 571-407-6586 or by email at stephanie.langton@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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| Discover the History of Fairfax County at the 2025 Historic Oak Hill Open House |
Built in 1790 by Richard Fitzhugh, a descendant of one of the first land-grant holders in Northern Virginia, Oak Hill reflects the county’s deep historic roots. Originally constructed in the late Georgian style, the home was renovated in the 1940s in the Colonial Revival style by noted restoration architect Walter M. Macomber. In 2004, Seville Homes, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors partnered to preserve Oak Hill through a historic and conservation easement, which also protects its centuries-old boxwoods. Important Visitor Information Historic Oak Hill is a private residence and is only open to the public during this once-a-year event. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and use parking available along the residential streets adjacent to Oak Hill. Event Partners The Historic Oak Hill Open House is made possible through the partnership of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Fairfax County Park Foundation and the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. For more information about Oak Hill and this year’s open house, please visit the Oak Hill website. The Fairfax County Park Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3), that provides funds, obtains grants, and creates partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet the needs of the Fairfax County parkland, facilities and services. For more information about the Foundation, visit the foundation’s website or call 703-324-8582. |
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| Strawberry Park Playground Offers Dynamic New Destination at Mosaic |
"The Strawberry Park Playground is a wonderful addition to the community and Fairfax County Parks," said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. "We are grateful to EDENS for investing in this beautiful park and fun play space. Recreational spaces belong in both suburban and micro-urban areas. We appreciate EDENS’ partnership in bringing this fun play space to life in an area that has so many families, so much energy, and such a range of activity for people to enjoy." Located at 2911 District Ave., around the corner from Jinya, the playground features a vibrant mural and an array of play features, including a climbing cube, spinner and springer rides, and outdoor drums. This public-private partnership enhances access to urban high-quality recreational experiences in the Fairfax County Park system. "It's been an honor to work alongside Fairfax County Park Authority in bringing this new playground to life for the Mosaic community," said Bill Caldwell, chief development officer of EDENS, which owns and operates Mosaic District. "We are proud to celebrate the addition of a new park. Over more than 15 years, Mosaic has grown into a vibrant canvas for shopping, dining and genuine human connection. A new playground adds yet another dimension — a space where families and neighbors gather." The new Strawberry Park mural, which faces the playground and features long-time Mosaic District resident, Thy Pham, was created by deaf painter and muralist Nico Cathcart, whose work creates realistic, socially informed works on walls and canvas. Her paintings can be found in the permanent collection of the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and have been featured in prominent galleries across the country. Strawberry Park will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 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 FCPA website. About EDENS EDENS is a retail and mixed-use real estate owner, developer and steward of a nationally leading portfolio of more than 100 open-air retail and mixed-use places in high-growth markets coast to coast. The company’s purpose is to enrich community through human engagement because when people come together, they feel a part of something bigger than themselves and prosperity follows— economically, socially, culturally and soulfully. EDENS has offices in key markets including D.C., Boston, Dallas, Columbia, South Carolina, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte, Houston, Denver and San Francisco. For additional information about the company and its portfolio, visit the EDENS website. |
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| FCPA Hosts Drop-In Interviews at Frying Pan Farm Park and Burke Lake Park |
Appointments are not necessary, just come by to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot, all in one visit. Drop-in interviews will be held at Frying Pan Farm Park on Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sept. 17 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Available positions at Frying Pan Farm Park include:
Burke Lake Park will also host drop-in interviews at the Burke Lake Park Info Center on Sept. 18 and 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Available positions at Burke Lake Park include:
Can’t make it to the drop-in interviews? No worries! View job ads and apply now for open positions at the Burke Lake Jobs webpage; or at the Nature & History Jobs webpage. View all employment opportunities by visiting the Park Authority Jobs website. To apply for any of the positions listed, email resume to: FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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| Join the Park Authority To Celebrate National Public Lands Day |
With the help of partners and community organizers, the Park Authority is pleased to host volunteer opportunities in every supervisory district across Fairfax County. Braddock District – Wakefield Recreation Center Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Dranesville District – Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Franconia District – Huntley Meadows Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Dranesville District – Colvin Run Mill Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.–noon
Hunter Mill District – Frying Pan Farm Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Mason District – Hidden Oaks Nature Center Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Mount Vernon District – Laurel Hill Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.–noon
Providence District – Oakmont Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 10 a.m.–noon
Providence District – Eakin Community Park Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m.–noon
Springfield District – Twin Lakes Golf Course Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9–11 a.m.
Sully District – Sully Historic Site Saturday, Sept. 27 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Full details are available on the National Public Lands Day webpage. While some opportunities already have enough volunteers, many are still accepting sign-ups. For those unable to attend on Sept. 27, additional opportunities to serve can be found year-round through the Volunteer Management System (VMS). 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 these shared spaces. This year’s theme, "Our Home Outdoors," highlights the importance of parks as places where we connect with nature, history and each other. "The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to be the steward of more than 23,000 acres of parkland and 334 miles of trails,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “Our parks truly are ‘our home outdoors,’ places where people come together to explore, play, learn and recharge. We are deeply grateful for the thousands of volunteers whose time, energy and passion ensure these spaces continue to thrive for generations to come." For questions about National Public Lands Day, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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Walk through the doors to any of Fairfax County Park Authority’s nine Rec Centers for free on Tuesday, Sept. 23, and find a variety of resources to improve your health and wellness. Discover the unique amenities of your neighborhood Rec Center during this Open House event.
Fairfax County Park Authority and EDENS are pleased to welcome the community to a celebration for the opening of Strawberry Park Playground at Mosaic District in Fairfax at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26. The event will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, live music, face-painting and activities for kids.
The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring at two of its most popular parks. Looking for a fun and fulfilling part-time job this fall and winter? Join the team at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon or Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station.