Park Authority

Looking for a sweet way to kick off your fall season? Look no further than our Cider Making class at Colvin Run Mill!

Grab up to 10 of your closest friends and head on over for a classic cider making adventure that's bound to make your autumn unforgettable. All you need to bring are 100 apples and some sealable containers – we'll provide the rest! Using a vintage press, you'll embark on a journey to create the most delicious cider you've ever tasted. And the best part? You get to take home approximately 2 gallons of your homemade cider to share and savor with your friends. It's a sip of autumn magic you won't want to miss!

Saturdays and Sundays throughout October are your passport to cider making bliss, and the cost is just $60. There are several time slots to suit your schedule, so whether you're an early bird or prefer the afternoon glow, we've got you covered. Don't miss this chance to embrace the essence of fall and create cherished memories.

Register for Cider Making

Colvin Run Mill is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road, Falls Church. For more information, visit the Colvin Run Mill website or call 703-759-2771.

UPDATE, Oct. 13: The Skate the Wake event has been postponed due to inclement weather. Skate the Wake will be held on Sunday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Join the fun at Skate the Wake on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Skateboarders, skaters, bikers and spectators alike can enjoy an exciting event with music and hands-on activities at the upgraded Wakefield Skate Park in Annandale. It’s not a hobby, it’s an attitude!

Break out your wheels to pick up some new skateboarding tricks and show off your best skateboarding skills for the chance to win new gear during the Best Trick Contest. Meet and get an autograph from Mimi Knoop, five-time X-Games medalist and former coach of the USA Skateboarding team. Listen to music throughout the event from DJ Derran Eaddy, founder of Solstik Music. Everyone is encouraged to attend the event wearing their best, family-friendly costumes.

Skateboarders of all abilities can learn something new in the Learning Zone between 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Professionals from Sushi Skate Co. and experienced skateboarders from the George Mason University Skate Club will teach new tricks and techniques to all levels. Skateboarders — beginner, intermediate and advanced — are invited to sign up on site for the Best Trick Contest that takes place from noon to 2 p.m. Winners in each category will receive a custom skateboard deck from Sushi Skate Co. The contest will be judged by professionals from Sushi Skate, as well as celebrity judges Mimi Knoop and Spike Mendelsohn (“Top Chef” competitor and local restaurateur). Anyone under the age of 18 will be required to wear a helmet while skating.

Attendees will have the opportunity to put their artistic skills to the test by trying their hand at graffiti on the Wakefield skate shack. Visit with the Fairfax County Park Authority — visit the booth to get temporary tattoos and make friendship bracelets and stop in the sensory-friendly tent.

Skate the Wake will be held, weather permitting, at the Wakefield Skate Park located at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, Virginia. For more information, visit the Wakefield Skate Park website.

Gather your crew and Skate the Wake on Oct. 14! For more information, visit the Skate the Wake webpage.

This event is presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. In-kind donations are being provided by American Boy and Sushi Skate.

View the Skate the Wake flyer

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 Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582.

UPDATE, Oct. 13: Due to cloud cover and rain expected on Saturday, Oct. 14, scheduled eclipse viewing events at Historic Huntley and Sully Historic Site have been canceled. Check out the Astronomy webpage for other ways to watch the eclipse. 

This fall, an annular eclipse, also known as a "ring of fire" eclipse, will take place on Oct. 14. The annular eclipse takes place when the moon is at its farthest point from Earth and so it appears smaller than the sun and does not completely cover the sun leaving a ring around the edge.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has prepared for extraordinary eclipse viewings throughout the county. Join our experts to view the partial annular solar eclipse. At noon, watch as the moon partially eclipses the sun as they travel across the sky. A limited number of eclipse viewing glasses and sun spotting scopes will be available to view the eclipse.

As we await the eclipse and after it has passed, enjoy various related games, activities and demonstrations. Participants should bring portable chairs and blankets.

Here are some programs to watch the eclipse. 

• Partial Solar Eclipse Celebration, Saturday, Oct. 14, noon to 2 p.m. at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) or Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly). Cost $10.
• Safely See the Partial Eclipse, Saturday, Oct.14, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Historic Huntley, located at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria. Cost $10.

Visit the Astronomy website for more information.

Register for eclipse viewing programs

Get ready for a spine-chilling, fun-filled Halloween season in Fairfax County Parks! Our 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 your favorite costume, we have events for all ghosts and goblins!

Halloween on the Farm

Oct. 27-28 at Frying Pan Farm Park

Celebrate Halloween and trick-or-treat on the farm! Enjoy farm animals, play games and make crafts. The program runs in one-hour time slots and costs $10 per person.

Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. For more information, visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website or call 703-437-9101.

Register for Halloween on the Farm

Goblin Golf

Oct. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22 at Burke Lake Park

Halloween arrives early at the Burke Lake Park mini golf course. Enjoy a festive-themed experience with Halloween treats included. Our ghosts and goblins will be appearing throughout the day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring a date, a friend or the whole family. This mini golf experience is fun for everyone! Buy your tickets before they sell out! Cost is $10.

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

Register for Goblin Golf

Ghost Town

Oct. 28-29 at Burke Lake Park

Embark on an unforgettable Halloween adventure at Ghost Town in Burke Lake Park. Secure your spot by grabbing $15 per person tickets until Oct. 26, and brace for a spooktacular experience, complete with Goblin Golf, carousel rides, Train journeys, pumpkin painting, a bounce house and the thrilling Trick-or-Treat House. Don't miss out — get your tickets and join us for a day of festive fun that's bound to sell out! Trick-or-treaters of all ages are warmly welcomed.

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

Register for Ghost Town

Haunted Mini Golf

Oct. 28-29 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Oak Marr Rec Center

Welcoming all werewolves, vampires and goblins (and their families) for a fun night of Haunted Mini Golf at Oak Marr Rec Center. Wear your favorite costume for a haunted good time! Play mini golf, Trick-or-treat and win various goodies at every hole. Cost $12 per person.

Oak Marr Rec Center is located at 3200 Jermantown, Road, Oakton. For more information, visit the Oak Marr Rec Center website or call 703-281-6501.

Register for Haunted Mini Golf

Halloween Bash

Oct. 28 at South Run Rec Center

Celebrate the season and get moving at the South Run Rec Center Halloween Bash. This event features 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!

South Run Rec Center is located at 7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield. For more information, visit the South Run Rec Center website or call 703-866-0566.

Register for Halloween Bash

Halloween Costume Family Skate and Dance Night

Oct. 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Franconia Rec Center

No tricks, just treats at this Halloween-themed Family Skate and Dance Night! Dress in your best costume for a spooktacular time at Franconia Rec Center. Skate to some of your favorite Halloween tunes by a live DJ. Grab candy, popcorn and other refreshments; enjoy seasonal decorations; and float across the floor to some festive tunes. Tickets $10 in advance and $15 the day of the event.

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website or call 703-922-9841.

Register for Halloween Costume Family Skate and Dance Night

The Park Authority Board was presented with the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Proposed Budget Requests at a meeting of the board’s Budget Committee on Sept. 27. The presentation included the results of an initial round of public comment based on an early draft of proposed priorities released on Sept. 15. The most recent version includes proposed General Fund Budget requests of just over $8 million to fund key park priorities, including equity initiatives, safety, forestry operations, maintenance and capital equipment.

The presentation and a recording of the discussion that took place is available on the Board and Committee Meetings webpage.

The Park Authority welcomes public comment on the FY 2025 budget proposals and will receive all comments submitted on or before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20. Comments may be submitted via email at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. Comments received will be shared with members of the Park Authority Board for their consideration before the ratification of the proposed budget.

A vote to endorse and submit the proposed budget is anticipated at the Oct. 25 meeting of the Park Authority Board. Once endorsed, the proposed budget will be submitted to the Fairfax County Department of Management and Budget to be considered as part of the FY 2025 budgetary process.

All budgetary decisions relative to the allocation of funds from the Fairfax County General Fund to support Park Authority initiatives rest with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, not the Park Authority Board. Presently, the Park Authority receives roughly 35% of its operating budget from the county’s General Fund – monies generated through collection of real estate tax. The remaining funds for park operations are generated through the assessment of fees for various programs, services and amenities.

For additional information about the Park Authority’s proposed budget, visit the Publications, Plans and Budget website; or contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Celebrate the fall season with Fairfax County Park Authority. As the weather cools and the leaves change color, head outside to enjoy events big and small.

Family Fall Festival

Saturday, Sept. 23, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Green Spring Gardens

Come enjoy the gardens among friends! This annual festival includes a wide variety of family activities, plant sales, silent auction, music and more!

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Visit the Green Spring Gardens website for more information or call 703-642-5173.

View the Family Fall Festival flyer

Parktober Fest

Saturday, Oct. 7, noon to 5 p.m., at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

The whole family is invited to a celebration at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park that is becoming a community tradition. Join friends to shop local from artists and artisans, makers and bakers. Enjoy delicious food and drink from Ono Brewing Co. and DC Steakholders.

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is located at 5049 Walney Road, Chantilly. Visit the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park website for more information or call 703-631-0013.

Farm Harvest Days and Carnival

Oct. 13 - 15, at Frying Pan Farm Park

Have fun on the farm and bring the whole family to Frying Pan Farm Park for the Farm Harvest Days and Carnival. Enjoy Big Truck Night on Oct. 13; watch the cider press in action, milk a cow, shell corn, peel apples and play old-fashion games on Oct. 14-15; and enjoy food, games and rides at the carnival all weekend long! Admission is free; carnival ride tickets are available for purchase.

Purchase carnival ride tickets

Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road, Herndon. Visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website or call 703-437-9101 for more information.

Solar Eclipse Extravaganza

Saturday, Oct. 14, at multiple locations

Join our experts to view the partial annular solar eclipse. At noon, watch as the moon partially eclipses the sun as they both travel across the sky. A limited number of eclipse viewing glasses and sun spotting scopes will be available to view the eclipse. As we await the eclipse and after it has passed, enjoy various themed games, activities and demonstrations.

• Partial Solar Eclipse Celebration, noon to 2 p.m., at Burke Lake Park
• Partial Solar Eclipse Celebration, noon to 2 p.m., at Sully Historic Site
• Safely See the Partial Eclipse, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., at Historic Huntley

Visit the Astronomy website for more information. 

Register for eclipse viewing programs

Skate the Wake

Saturday, Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Wakefield Skate Park

Enjoy a day filled with skating, music and all-around fun at Skate the Wake. Come dressed in your best Halloween costume and enjoy food, music, vendors, and fun activities. Skateboarders are invited to bring their gear to learn new tricks from the professionals in the Learning Zone and compete in the Best Trick Contest.

Visit Skate the Wake webpage for more information.

Wakefied Skate Park is located at 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale. For more information, visit the Wakefield Skate Park website.

Whatever your event "flavor," the Park Authority has you covered this season!

Fall tournament season is officially underway at Golf Fairfax. Take in the fall foliage on the greens with many exciting ways to compete. Golf Fairfax presents two unique tournaments that promise unforgettable experiences for golfers of all ages and abilities.

Shot in the Dark

Mark your calendars for an unforgettable golfing adventure. Burke Lake Golf Center will host their Shot in the Dark Tournament on Oct. 6 and 13. Players ages 12 and up will test their skills golfing in the dark in a 9-hole scramble format tournament using glow-in-the-dark balls. Participants will play in teams of two, illuminating the fairways on their way to the flag. Prizes will be awarded for first-, second- and third-place teams, and closest to the pin.

Cost is $100 per team. Fee is due at the time of registration and includes one glow ball, a flashlight and dinner. May the best team shine bright!

Burke Lake Golf Center is located at 6915 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. Visit the Burke Lake Golf Center webpage for more information.

Four Club Fall Classic

Less is more at Jefferson District Golf Course’s Four Club Fall Classic on Oct. 7! Participants ages 18 and up will compete in a 9-hole stroke play tournament. In a test of skill, strategy and adaptability, players are only allowed a maximum of four clubs in their bag. Golfers must make every club count! Fee due at the time of registration. Cost is $35. 

Jefferson District Golf Course is located at 7900 Route 29, Falls Church. Visit the Jefferson District Golf Course webpage for more information.

Good luck to all participants. We look forward to sharing this special fall season with you on the greens!

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

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers will be opening their doors to everyone for free. Attend this Open House event to explore the wonderful world of Rec Centers — tour facilities, meet staff and walk away with either a 7-day trial membership or a 30 day for $30 membership.

Enjoy free Rec Center admission all day, but visit between 4 and 7 p.m. to participate in special programming and fun events. In addition to a membership booth, Rec Centers will hold fitness demonstrations for specific health and wellness programs, provide snacks and host activities for children, such as arts and crafts and a scavenger hunt. Rec Centers will be offering:

• Sample classes and demonstrations
• Giveaways
• Family-friendly activities and games
• Membership information
• And more!

Learn more about each Rec Center’s Open House by visiting the Rec Center webpage.

Below are the Rec Centers and their addresses:

• Audrey Moore, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, 703-321-7081
• Cub Run, 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, 703-817-9407
• Franconia, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria, 703-922-9841
• George Washington, 8426 Old Mt. Vernon Road, Alexandria, 703-780-8894
• Oak Marr, 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton, 703-281-6501
• Providence, 7525 Marc Drive, Falls Church, 703-698-1351
• Spring Hill,1239 Spring Hill Road, McLean, 703-827-0989
• South Run,7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield, 703-866-0566

For specific details about what to expect at the open house, please contact each center directly.

View the Rec Center Open House flyer

In addition, purchase or renew annual membership to access the Park Authority’s entire network of Rec Centers by Sept. 30 to receive a 15% discount. Purchase today at the Parks passes webpage. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work to resurface the racquet and basketball courts at Franconia Park. The contactor, ATC Corp, is expected to start construction on or about Wednesday, Oct. 4 and is estimated to run through mid-November, weather permitting.

The project will include the removal and replacement of asphalt surfaces, goals, fencing and related court amenities. The project will also include the conversion of one of the existing tennis courts to four permanent pickleball courts and a second tennis court dually lined for use as a tennis court or two pickleball courts. These added pickleball courts are among several courts under development or recently completed, which were outlined in the 2020 Comprehensive Pickleball Study.

The courts will be closed for the duration of the project. During the closure, guests are invited to utilize the new online Park Amenity Locator to identify alternate courts to use during this temporary closure. To access this resource, visit the Park Amenity Locator website.

The project will cost approximately $473,413.

Franconia Park is located at 6601 Telegraph Road in Alexandria. For more information about the project, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

On Saturday, Sept. 16, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck joined with the Fairfax County Park Authority in celebrating the official opening of the 12-acre North Hill Park. The opening marks a significant milestone in the transformation of North Hill from an underutilized parcel to a vibrant residential community.

“From the very beginning, North Hill Park has been a critical component of what was envisioned for this community as a space that ties the surrounding neighborhoods together and adds to the quality of life enjoyed by all,” said Park Authority Deputy Director Sara Baldwin. “We all need space to recreate, exercise and recharge within our communities; and North Hill Park offers so many ways for residents to find physical, social and emotional well-being within just a few minutes’ walk from their homes.”

“I remember riding through this area as a boy, and when it closed, there was this promise that was coming of more affordable housing and we’ve certainly done that,” added Chairman McKay. “Not only have we built high-quality affordable housing, but with this park, we’ve connected several surrounding neighborhoods with a space for all residents to recreate in a safe way in a public park that is accessible to all.”

North Hill’s hilly topography made for quite a challenge in constructing an accessible and complete park experience, but in the end, the result proved worth the effort. The park incorporates a variety of community amenities, including a large community playground, outdoor fitness area, basketball and pickleball courts and a large open lawn and pavilion. All are connected by a winding trail system perfect for walking, jogging and biking.

“Residents are already making great use of the trails and amenities and have really embraced it as an important feature within the community by giving of their time to take care of it,” said Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck. “The path, park and amenities provide much needed open space for residents of North Hill, Cherry Arms, Dart Drive and other communities to connect and come together.”

See a video of the ribbon-cutting below.

To see more photos of the official opening, visit the Park Authority's Flickr page.

The park was initially opened for public use earlier this summer. The total project cost was $3 million, with funding provided by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

North Hill Park is located at 7900 Nightingale Hill Lane in Alexandria. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.