Park Authority

This summer, the sky above Lake Fairfax Park will come alive in a way Fairfax County has never seen before.

As part of Experience Fairfax 250, the Fairfax County Park Authority, in partnership with the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the Fairfax County Park Foundation, will debut its first-ever drone light show during the Lake Fairfax 250th Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, June 27.

Instead of traditional fireworks, hundreds of synchronized drones will light up the night sky with music, motion and patriotic images that celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and Fairfax County’s role in our nation’s story.

Guests can spend the day enjoying everything Lake Fairfax has to offer, from trails, boating and camping to live music, food trucks, family activities and an unforgettable nighttime show.

This celebration brings together the best of Fairfax County — our history, our parks and our community," said Laura Grape, division director, resource management and interpretation division, Fairfax County Park Authority. "Thanks to our partnership with the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the Fairfax County Park Foundation families will experience a one-of-a-kind celebration as we honor America’s 250th anniversary."

"The 250th anniversary is a chance to reflect on where we’ve been, celebrate who we are and inspire the next generation," said Liz Maurer, chair of Fairfax250. "We’re proud to partner with the Park Authority and Park Foundation to bring this special celebration to Fairfax County."

Event highlights include:

• Fairfax County Park Authority’s first-ever drone light show.
• Live music from Reflex, Sonic Boom and School of Rock.
• Food trucks, drinks and family activities.
• Access to park amenities, including trails, fishing, picnicking and camping.
• Guests can also visit The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole. Admission is sold separately.

Event Details

Lake Fairfax 250th Independence Day Celebration

• When: Saturday, June 27, from noon to 10 p.m.
• Where: Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston
• Rain date: Sunday, June 28

Parking (per vehicle):

• $20 online through June 26 at 11:59 p.m. Get your parking pass in advance.
• $25 at the gate
• Pedestrians and cyclists enter free

Guests are encouraged to arrive by 8 p.m. for the best access.

For more information, visit the Lake Fairfax 250th Independence Day Celebration webpage.

This event is brought to you by the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

About the Fairfax County 250th Commission

Established by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors in 2021, the Fairfax County 250th Commission leads countywide efforts to honor and commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. Through partnerships, public programs and community events, the Commission celebrates the people, places and stories that shaped Fairfax County and our nation. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County 250th Commission webpage.

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.

In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites community members to attend an open house event at the Hannah P. Clark/Enyedi House on Saturday, May 30. Resident curators will be on site to share about the history of the house and the rehabilitation and preservation work they have done.

The event will take place at the property at 10605 Furnace Road in Lorton from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Limited on-site parking will be available.

The Clark/Enyedi house is part of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resident Curator Program. It was constructed by Hannah Potter Clark circa 1876 during Virginia’s Reconstruction Period after the Civil War and held by her family until 1931. During that time, Clark constructed and expanded the two-story, cross-gable vernacular farmhouse and even moved it across the street to accommodate realignment of the local railroad tracks. In 1986, artist Janos Enyedi and his wife purchased the property and built an art studio that still exists today.

The Resident Curator Program provides a unique opportunity for individuals, nonprofit and for-profit organizations to secure long-term lease agreements to live rent-free in historic properties located in beautiful public park settings. In return, curators agree to invest in the rehabilitation of these properties to ensure that the history of Fairfax County is preserved for future generations to experience.

For additional information visit the Resident Curator Program website. You may also contact Resident Curator Program manager Stephanie Langton at 703-324-8791 or stephanie.langton@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites community members to a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening of the newly renovated Reston North Park Playground on Wednesday, June 3 at 5 p.m. The playground is located at 11760 Stevenage Road in Reston.

As part of the celebration, the Wonder Wagon, the Park Authority’s mobile nature center, will be on site offering guided, nature-based hands-on activities for families. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early, explore the new playground and participate in the activities.

Beginning in October 2025, Reston North Park Playground underwent a full renovation to replace aging equipment and improve accessibility for all visitors. Originally installed in the 1980s and 1990s, the playground’s retaining walls, steps and equipment had reached the end of their lifecycle and no longer met current accessibility and safety standards. The renovation has transformed the site into a safer, more modern and inclusive play space designed for children, families and caregivers.

Key features of the renovated playground include:

• A single-level design that eliminates steps between play areas.
• Poured-in-place surfacing for improved safety and accessibility.
• Fully accessible routes from the parking lot to both the playground and the lower diamond field.
• Modern, universal play equipment with sensory-rich experiences and activities for multiple age groups.
• Updated site features, including stormwater management and new steps to the lower diamond field.

For more information about Reston North Park Playground or the ribbon-cutting event, please contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Prepare for a summer to remember at The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole — join the Gold Rush and get your discounted season passes for the water park before they disappear.

The 2026 Gold Rush Season Pass sale runs through Monday, May 25. Season passes offer savings on daily admission prices — the more you visit, the more you save. Season passholders experience faster entry and can purchase guest passes at a discounted rate. Get these sale prices for season passes while they last:

• $111 for a single person
• $177 for a family of two
• $65 for each additional person

Please note that ages 2 and younger enter for free.

The popular waterpark opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23. Purchase your Gold Rush Season Passes online by visiting the Water Mine website or by calling 703-246-5929.

The Water Mine offers fun for the whole family! Race down exciting water slides, relax in the 725-foot lazy river, play in the spray and showers of the water playground, compete with your friends along the log walk obstacle course, or spend time with toddlers enjoying gentle bubblers, fountains and pint-sized slides in the Tenderfoot Pond. All ages can find something to enjoy in this Old West-themed water park.

Interested in reserving your spot poolside this summer? Check out Water Mine Rentals website for Funbrellas, canopies/tents, awnings, cabanas and bungalows available for rent. Secure your spot for sun-soaked days, for any group size, for any occasion at The Water Mine, located at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston.

Stay up to date with hours, ticket prices and other park updates by visiting the Water Mine website. We will see you this summer at The Water Mine!

Ever wondered what Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers have to offer? Discover all the amenities these community wellness hubs offer when you visit during the Rec Center Open House on Thursday, May 7 and sign up for a free, 7-day trial or purchase a 30-days-for-$30 pass.

Bring friends and family to tour and try out any of the Park Authority’s Rec Centers all day for free with sign up. Stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for special programming, such as fitness demonstrations, sample classes, a membership table with arts and crafts, and other fun activities depending on the location. 

Ready to commit to your health? Purchase an annual membership to Rec Centers throughout May at a 15% discount. Members get access to a variety of tools to help meet personal fitness goals:

• Access all Rec Centers.
• Enjoy pools, spas and saunas.
• Workout in Fitness Centers (with free orientations).
• Join drop-in group fitness classes, either virtual or in person.
• Get moving on sports courts, in gyms and on tracks.
• Take advantage of discounts for drop-in childcare (where available).

Purchase your membership in person at any of the Rec Centers or by visiting the Rec Centers website. Check out how to join, connect and get active by visiting the Rec Centers website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends of Green Spring Gardens invite plant lovers of all kinds to celebrate the season at the annual Spring Garden Day and Big Plant Sale on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens.

This free, family-friendly event is a must for anyone with a green thumb — or hoping to grow one. Browse an incredible selection of plants from dozens of local vendors, featuring everything from native and fruiting plants to colorful annuals, perennials, herbs and hard-to-find varieties.

Get expert advice from Extension Master Gardeners, shop garden-themed goods from local artists and businesses and enjoy tasty offerings from food vendors. Don’t miss the Friends of Green Spring Bake Sale for homemade treats to power your plant-shopping spree.

Whether you’re planning a pollinator paradise or starting your very first container garden, Spring Garden Day is the perfect place to get inspired and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Admission and parking are free. For event details and vendor information, visit the Green Spring Gardens website or call 703-642-5173.

Discover the rich habitats and wildlife that make Huntley Meadows Park one of Fairfax County’s most treasured natural spaces. The park features nationally significant history, sweeping forests, wildflower-filled meadows and expansive wetlands that offer some of the region’s best wildlife viewing.

Celebrate the importance of this premier wetland sanctuary during Wetlands Awareness Day on Sunday, May 3, from noon to 4 p.m. This free event invites visitors to journey into forested paths and immersive boardwalk trails while learning why wetlands matter. Get up-close with live raptors, reptiles, amphibians, wildlife, interactive displays and hands-on activities.

Shuttle service will be available from Groveton Elementary School, 6900 Harrison Lane in Alexandria, to Huntley Meadows Park. Shuttles run every 15 minutes, with the last trip to the park at 3:30 p.m. and the final return shuttle at 4:15 p.m.

Register for Wetlands Awareness Day

Huntley Meadows Park is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Huntley Meadows Park website or call 703-768-2525.

Fairfax County Park Authority and the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends invite families and their four-legged companions to unleash the fun at Park and Bark, a community event supporting Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Walney Visitor Center, located at 5040 Walney Road in Chantilly, for an afternoon filled with dogs, food, music and festive fun.

Park and Bark offers something for everyone — both human and canine alike. Enjoy craft brews from Lazy Dog Restaurant, gourmet hot dogs and sausages from Kaziville, dog-themed vendors, local crafters and live music from Lucas Mason. Guests can also meet adoptable dogs from A Forever Home Rescue Foundation and explore services, such as on-site mobile dog grooming.

Families can take part in children’s activities led by park staff and explore the Walney Visitor Center, featuring exhibits, live reptiles and amphibians, and the natural and cultural history of the park’s 650 acres.

Whether you're looking to adopt, explore or simply enjoy time outdoors with your pup, Park and Bark is a great way to connect with the community and support the park.

Free parking is available at the Visitor Center, with additional access via park trails from Walney Pond and The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center. Overflow parking is available near Walney Pond, 5301 Walney Road, Centreville. Please use the pond lot for overflow parking, as there is no crosswalk from the parking lot across the pond.

So grab your leash, gather your pack and join us for a tail-wagging good time at Park and Bark!

For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Park and Bark event webpage. 

View the Park and Bark flyer

The countdown is on for the county’s largest Earth Day bash — and we’re shaking things up with a brand-new location. Earth Day Fairfax 2026 hits Lake Fairfax Park in Reston on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect a full-on Earth party: family activities, games, food trucks, a craft beer garden, big trucks and Earth friendly vendors — plus live music and entertainment on the main and community stages to keep things rocking!

Jam out, chillax and dance the day away with live music from School of Rock, Recycling Pirates, Proverbs Reggae Band and Wildflower Revival Band. Go green with a special Weather Chat with Topper Shutt and Plant Talk from Merrifield Garden Center. Get up close with live animals from Hidden Pond Nature Center and catch exciting Okinawan karate and taekwondo demonstrations.

In between the action on stage, fill your day with:

• Interactive booths and exhibits
• Free giveaways
• Furry farm friends
• Ideas for summer (camps, amusements, events)
• Ways you can help the planet

Parking is $10 per car. Event takes place rain or shine.

Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Festival, visit the Earth Day website.

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.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month at Mason District Park on Saturday, May 9, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival brings together vibrant performances, cultural experiences and a day of excitement for all ages.

Take in the richness and diversity of AANHPI cultures through traditions, stories and artistic expressions that continue to shape and strengthen our community.

Event Highlights

• Cultural performances: Watch traditional and contemporary dance and music from local AANHPI artists.
• Interactive experiences: Try hands-on activities, such as calligraphy, origami and martial arts demonstrations.
• Global flavors: Sample a variety of authentic dishes from local food vendors.
• Art and culture: Explore exhibits featuring works by AANHPI artists.
• Family fun: Kids can take part in crafts, storytelling and interactive activities throughout the day.

Mason District Park is located at 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Parking is available on site.

For more information about the AANHPI Heritage Celebration, please visit the AANHPI Month Celebration webpage.

The AANHPI Month celebration is presented by the Asian Community Center in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority and 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 Park Foundation website or call them at 703-324-8582.