Park Authority

Stay healthy and connect with your community at Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers. Explore your local Rec Centers for free on Saturday, Jan. 4 and enjoy a 15% discount on annual membership all month long.

The Park Authority will host open houses at Rec Centers across the county on Saturday, Jan. 4. Visit any of our Rec Centers to enjoy free admission all day, tour the buildings, explore amenities and learn about membership.

Stop by any of the Rec Centers from 2 to 5 p.m. for fun programming that includes sample drop-in exercise classes, giveaways and raffles, games, crafts and special treats, such as popcorn and hot chocolate. Check out each Rec Center website for specific information on special programming.

Celebrate the New Year by making a commitment to your health and purchasing an annual Rec Center membership — a yearlong pass to try a variety of exercise formats. Swim laps, use free weights and strength-building equipment, jump on cardio machines, hit the courts for sports activities, such as pickleball, basketball, volleyball and racquetball, get moving in drop-in fitness classes (either virtual or in-person), and ease your muscles in spas and saunas. Other amenities are available at specific locations or with additional cost. Purchase your annual membership today on the Rec Center passes webpage.

Workout together at your local Rec Center and stay active forever! For additional information, please contact FCPARECenters@fairfaxcounty.gov.

View the Open House flyer

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board joined with members of the Park Authority Board and Fairfax County Supervisors Andres Jimenez (Mason District) and Rodney Lusk (Franconia District) to commemorate the more than $2.1 million in monetary contributions received in 2024 to support park programs and initiatives throughout the county. In total, the Foundation’s fundraising and grant initiatives netted more than $2.4 million in monetary and in-kind contributions of goods and services in 2024 to support Fairfax County parks.

“Our partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation has been a tremendous support for our park system and provides a meaningful way for neighbors, businesses and other organizations to have a positive impact on our community’s most precious resources – our parks,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “These contributions directly affect the quality of life for more than 16 million park visitors each year and are adding to the continuing legacy of Fairfax County’s award-winning park system.”

Thoughtful and generous charitable contributions from individuals, foundations, businesses and other organizations have helped support numerous Park Authority projects, outreach programs and popular community events—including the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center; the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center; the McLean Central Park Playground; Summer Entertainment Series; Earth Day Festival; the Moon Gate Garden at Green Spring Gardens; Invasive Management Area programs; Park Authority camp & class scholarships; the Fairfax County 4-H Fair & Carnival; Open Space Land Preservation; Commemorative Benches and Trees; Trail Building and Care; and much more!

“While the number is impressive, it's what we do with the money that really matters.", said Park Foundation Board Chair Laura Eakin Erlacher, "Gifts from thousands of donors funded projects beyond what tax dollars can provide. The Foundation initiated 'The Forever Fund' long-term investment to endow the greatest needs of our future parks.”

Pictured (left to right): Harry Glasgow (Park Foundation Board); Park Authority Deputy Director Aimee Vosper; Park Foundation Executive Director Bobbi Longworth; Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk; Park Foundation Board Chair Laura Eakin Erlacher; Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez; Park Foundation Board Vice Chair Anita Herrera; Steve Thormahlen (Park Foundation Board); Park Authority Chairman Kiel Stone; Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole; Park Authority Vice Chairman Maggie Godbold; Linwood Gorham (Park Authority Board); Mike Thompson (Park Authority Board); and Tim Hackman (Park Authority Board).

The Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships. Visit the Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582 for more information.

For the third-consecutive year, Laurel Hill Golf Club has received the prestigious Weddy Award for Best Golf Club Venue, presented by Brides & Weddings Magazine. The 2025 Weddy Awards celebrate excellence in the wedding and event industry, honoring businesses that deliver exceptional service, innovation and professionalism.

“Receiving this award again is an incredible honor,” said Event Director Marisa Devin. “At Laurel Hill, we are committed to thoughtful planning and flawless execution. From our newly renovated banquet spaces to our delicious cuisine, we strive to provide an all-inclusive, elevated experience for couples on their special day. This recognition reflects our team’s dedication and passion for creating unforgettable moments.”

Nestled in Lorton’s rolling terrain, Laurel Hill Golf Club offers stunning views, a rich historical backdrop and a welcoming ambiance. The venue features a 9,400-square-foot clubhouse, including the Tower Grill restaurant and customizable event packages tailored to every couple’s needs. Its scenic landscapes provide picture-perfect settings for wedding photography. Couples and guests consistently praise the venue’s exceptional service, clear communication and attention to detail. Laurel Hill’s dedicated team, led by Devin, works to bring every couple’s vision to life.

Brides & Weddings Magazine is Northern Virginia’s premier guide for engaged couples, offering planning advice and showcasing top wedding vendors. Winners of the Weddy Awards are selected by a panel of industry experts and are featured in the January 2025 issue of the magazine.

Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Hill Crest Drive in Lorton. It is operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority. For more information, visit the Laurel Hill Golf Club website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is nearing the completion of the design and permitting process for several trail improvements at Royal Lake in the Braddock District. As part of the process, the Park Authority has posted the environmental documentation for a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, which is required in order to initiate the project. The documentation is available on the Royal Lake Trail Project webpage for public review, and comments will be accepted until Jan. 27, 2025.

The Park Authority has been worked closely with the Royal Lake community to develop the project scope and acquire the necessary funding to initiate five trail improvement projects surrounding Royal Lake, including:

• Royal Lake Bridge Replacement: Replacement of the pedestrian bridge over Rabbit Branch on the north side of Royal Lake.
• Royal Lake to Commonwealth Boulevard Trail: Construction of a new stream valley trail connecting an existing asphalt trail north of Lakeside Park to Commonwealth Boulevard.
• Richardson Court to Lakeside Park Trail: Repaving the park entrance trail from Richardson Drive to the soccer and baseball fields at Lakeside Park.
• Royal Lake Dam to Lakepointe Drive Trail: Paving of the natural surface trail linking the asphalt trail on top of the dam to the Royal Lake Loop Trail.
• Lakeside Park Shade Structure: Installation of a fabric shade structure and updated picnic equipment near the playground. This segment of the project is currently underway and is funded separately through local funds (not federally funded).

Funding for these projects is being provided from a variety of different sources, including the 2020 Park Bond, proffered funds and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation). The cumulative estimated project cost is approximately $1.3 million. Construction on the remaining projects is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and, weather permitting, will conclude by fall 2026. Additional project information will be published on the Royal Lake Trail project webpage as the project progresses.

Royal Lake is located at 5216 Pommeroy Drive in Fairfax. For questions about this project, please email royal-lake@publicinput.com or call 703-324-8725.

Calling all local farmers and food producers! Applications are now open for food producers to participate in the wildly popular Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets in 2025. If you’re passionate about what you grow or make, this is your chance to share it with the community!

Who Can Apply?

We’re looking for farmers and producers located within a 125-mile radius of Fairfax County (with a few exceptions for hard-to-find goodies, such as dairy and organic produce). Our markets are strictly producer-only, meaning everything sold must be grown, raised or made by you. Locally sourced ingredients are preferred!

Park Authority Farmers Markets do not include craft vendors or food trucks.

Join us for a New Vendor Interest Meeting!

Interested? Join us for a New Vendor Interest Meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon. This virtual meeting will cover everything you need to know about applying, including fees, requirements and tips to make your application shine.

Register online to reserve your spot! Registered participants will receive a recording of the meeting, so even if you’re not completely sure if you’ll be able to make it, it’s a great idea to register anyway.

Register to reserve your spot

The Fairfax County Park Authority manages 10 farmers markets at locations across the county. Markets are from mid-April until the end of December each year. Are you ready to grow with us? Visit the Farmers Markets vendor website for more details, or email us at FCPAFarmMarkets@fairfaxcounty.gov with questions.

This winter, Golf Fairfax is thrilled to launch its first-ever Indoor Trackman League! Using the state-of-the-art Trackman4 golf simulator at Pinecrest Golf Course, players can compete in a fun and engaging league from the comfort of our indoor studio. The tournament will run from Jan. 6 to March 30, 2025.

“Pinecrest’s Indoor Trackman League offers the perfect opportunity to stay in the game during the winter months,” Michael Mauk, the program director for Pinecrest Golf Course, said. “Players compete with friends and can improve their performance and enjoy the thrill of playing some of the world’s most famous courses—all without leaving Alexandria.”

The league will feature four 9-hole rounds on these world-renowned courses: St. Andrews Old Course, Pinehurst No. 2, Bethpage Black and Pebble Beach Golf Links. Golfers have three weeks to complete each round and can attempt each course up to four times, with only their best score counting toward the league standings. Prizes will be awarded to overall winners and closest-to-the-pin competitions. There will be designated tees for men, women and juniors to ensure fair play.

Registration is $40, with discounted Trackman fees of $25 for the first hour and $20 for additional hours applied to league rounds. To participate, golfers must create a Trackman account and handicap.

Register for the Indoor Trackman League before the deadline on Dec. 22

Pinecrest Golf Course is located at 6600 Little River Turnpike in Alexandria. For more information or to register, visit the 2025 Pinecrest Winter Trackman League webpage.

Start 2025 on the right foot with the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation's annual First Hike Photo Contest! Community members of all ages and abilities are encouraged to join the fun and explore the beauty of Fairfax County parks.

How To Participate

1. Take a Hike. Enjoy a stroll through any of the Park Authority’s 420 parks or along more than 334 miles of trails on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
2. Capture the Moment. Snap a fantastic photo during your adventure.
3. Submit Your Best Shot. Upload your photo online by noon on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, for a chance to win amazing prizes!

Join a nationwide First Day Hike tradition and start your year with an adventure! Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a first-time explorer, it’s a perfect opportunity to enjoy the outdoors with family, friends, and neighbors. This family-friendly community activity is open to photographers of all levels. Each participant can submit one photo in one of the following categories: Scenery/Landscapes, People, Wildlife, and Pets. Multiple family members may enter individually. Please remember to follow all park rules and safety protocols—photos depicting rule violations will be disqualified.

The following prizes are sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

• People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Director’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (People): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Wildlife): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
• Best in Show (Pets): $75 Park Authority Gift Card

Complete contest rules, photo submission instructions, and hike-planning resources can be found on the First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest website.

Hit the trails, capture the moment, and start the new year off with a win!

For questions about the First Hike photo contest, contact the Park Authority Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Turner Farmhouse Foundation is hosting its annual pancake breakfast and open house on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9:30 – 11 a.m. Parking is available on site with volunteers able to assist. The event is open to the public at no cost.

The Turner Farmhouse Foundation serves as the resident curator for the historic Turner Farmhouse and several other outbuildings on the property located at 10609 Georgetown Pike in Great Falls. Through the Resident Curator Program, the Turner Farmhouse Foundation is using the other structures on the site to create and operate a retreat center, partnering with Becky Love Foundation, Comfort Zone Camps and other organizations to host bereavement programs.

The Turner Farmhouse, built in 1905 by the Turner family, is in a 52-acre community park at the intersection of Georgetown Pike and Springvale Road in Great Falls. The Mark Turner Dairy Farm is an example of the type of farm that predominated in this community during the early years of the 20th century, and the Turners were hailed as model farmers in a 1948 article in the "National Grange Monthly."

The 3,216-square-foot house Queen Anne style farmhouse exemplifies the cultural, economic and historic heritage of the Springvale and Forestville/Great Falls agricultural communities in Northern Virginia. Many of the original details, formal parlor, hardwood flooring and fireplaces remain. Several outbuildings on the property reflect its rural history, as well.

The Resident Curator Program provides a unique opportunity for individuals, nonprofit and for-profit organizations to secure long-term lease agreements for historic properties in beautiful public park settings. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for a financial commitment toward approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties. The program requires reasonable public access to these historic resources, which often occurs in the form of an annual open house.

For additional information please visit the Resident Curator Program website. You may also contact the manager of the Resident Curator Program Stephanie Langton at 703-324-8791.

Enjoy a truly magical event at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 3 — the 2025 Healthy Strides Fantasy Forest 5K/10K. Encounter mythical creatures as you run, walk or roll in the 5K (3.1 miles) or as you run through the trails in the competitive 10K (6.2 miles) at Burke Lake Park located at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station.

The event also features a Tots Dash (ages 2-5) and Kids Dash (ages 6-10) for children of race participants to enjoy a short run to the finish line. Early registration discounts are available through Jan. 1.

Registrants will receive a shirt and commemorative medal. Register by Jan. 1 to receive a $5 early registration discount using the code 25HSPARKS. Awards and bragging rights will be presented to the overall top finishers and top finishers in different age groups for both the 5K and 10K.

Healthy Strides Information and Registration

Come out to cheer for the runners and enjoy the post-race refreshments and party. Please note that all race participants and spectators must wait until the race is over before leaving the park, since roadways will be closed for the runners.

A portion of the proceeds from the Healthy Strides 5K/10K goes to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to support the beautiful Burke Lake Park. For information and Healthy Strides sponsorship details, please visit the Park Foundation website.

View Healthy Strides 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.

Join family, friends and neighbors at the park this holiday season. With more than 50 holiday-oriented activities and events to choose from, the Fairfax County Park Authority has something for everyone – from wagon and train rides to candlelit tours and, of course, Santa himself! Here are just a few highlights. 

Holiday on the Farm

Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21; 4:30 – 7:30 p.m. Frying Pan Farm Park

Enjoy an evening on the farm with bright holiday lights, wagon rides, indoor activities, animal attractions, campfires, cocoa and visits with Santa. Tickets are $15 per person in advance and $20 at the door. 

Winter Wonderland

Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Burke Lake Park

Experience the magic of the holidays with train rides on the Holiday Express, carousel spins and s’mores by the fire. Meet Santa and enjoy hot chocolate and candy canes. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. 

Experience the Holidays at Colvin Run Mill

Holiday Lantern Tours

Saturday, Dec. 7; tours at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Tour the historic mill by candlelight and discover holiday traditions of the past. Tickets are $12 per person. 

Children’s Holiday Shopping

Saturday, Dec. 7; times available between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Attend this special event where children can shop for holiday gifts in a historic setting. Tickets are $7 per child. 

Santa at the Mill

Dec. 14 and 15; multiple times

Meet Santa in the charming setting of Colvin Run Mill. Times available from 3 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. Sensory-friendly options available as well! 

Candy Cane Lane

Saturday, Dec. 14; 3 – 7 p.m. Oakmont Rec Center

Stroll down Candy Cane Lane for a game of mini golf with Mrs. Claus. Come out to meet Santa, enjoy hot chocolate and other sweet treats, work on crafts, and have fun. Tickets cost $12 in advance and $15 at the door.

Swim with Santa

Sunday, Dec. 15; Multiple times for different age groups. Spring Hill Rec Center

Celebrate the holiday season with a festive-themed pool party and the opportunity to swim with Santa at Spring Hill Rec Center. The session for children ages 1-6 years will be from 3 – 4 p.m. and the session for children ages 7 – 12 will be from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10 per child. 

Holiday and Ugly Sweater Skate and Dance Night

Saturday, Dec. 21; 6 – 10 p.m. Franconia Rec Center

Celebrate the holiday in style by wearing your brightest, most festive sweater (or holiday outfit) of the season. Make the season bright by taking laps around the skate floor with friends and family. Tickets cost $10 per person. 

For a comprehensive list of events, dates, and registration details, please visit the Park Authority’s Seasonal Events in the Parks page.