Park Authority

Celebrate the holidays with family, friends and four-legged buddies over at Lake Accotink Park for a merry good time! Join the Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) for a festive holiday experience on Saturday, Dec. 14. Volunteer setup and decorations start at 10 a.m. and Santa arrives at noon. Enjoy holiday goodies, including treats for your pets, prizes and photos with Santa at the Lake Accotink Park Marina Pavilion.

This event is free for all guests. The Friends of Lake Accotink Park welcomes contributions to support this and other events, programs and initiative at Lake Accotink Park. The Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) is a certified 501(c)3, all-volunteer organization that is committed to protect, restore, preserve and educate all concerning the natural, historical and cultural resources of Lake Accotink Park.

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. 

Register to see Santa at Lake Accotink Park

The Fairfax County Park Authority – in partnership with Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, The Fairfax County Park Foundation and The McLean Central Playground Team – is pleased to announce the official ribbon-cutting to commemorate the reopening of McLean Central Park. This event will celebrate an extraordinary collaboration to enhance one of McLean’s beloved community spaces and create a more vibrant and accessible park experience.

• When:  Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at 9 a.m. 
• Where: The New McLean Central Park Pavilion, 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd., McLean, VA 22101 

Limited parking is available at the Dolley Madison Library and the McLean Community Center. 

The event will include a brief speaking program with speakers, including Tim Hackman, Dranesville representative of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Supervisor Bierman.

The program will also include Laura Eakin Erlacher, Chair of the Fairfax County Park Foundation and Dr. Cara Schantz, of the community-based McLean Central Playground Team, who spearheaded a fundraising effort to generate approximately $400,000 to support the construction of the new playground facilities.  

For more information about the event or McLean Central Park, please contact the Park Authority’s Communications Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Contributions for the McLean Central Park Project were coordinated 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 Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582.

The Fairfax County Park Authority joined with Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and members of the Woodlawn Little League community to celebrate the completion of the new restroom and concession building at McNaughton Fields Park.

The new facility marks the realization of a long-held vision for McNaughton Fields Park since its establishment in 2016. The building includes permanent restrooms, a concessions stand and storage space built on an existing concrete pad. The facility is a huge addition for the promotion of McNaughton Fields Park as a desirable multi-field location to support baseball/softball tournament play in the Mount Vernon District.

The project, costing just over $1 million, is also a powerful example of an engaged community working with local government to make improvements in community amenities. The Park Authority acknowledged the amazing contribution of the members of the Woodlawn Little League community, who spearheaded a fundraising effort that generated $200,000 to support the construction of the facility.

“This is a really good example of what we can get done if we stick with it and work together,” said Linwood Gorham, Mount Vernon District Representative on the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. “We’re grateful for the engaged participation of the Woodlawn Little League on this project and look forward to an amazing spring opening when league play gets underway.”

McNaughton Fields Park is located at 5320 Pole Road in Fort Belvoir.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has begun a trail maintenance project in South Run Stream Valley Park. The project includes trail repairs, culvert replacements and related improvements to enhance safety and usability.

During construction, occasional trail closures may be necessary to ensure public safety. The Park Authority anticipates the repaving of the trail segment will be complete by Nov. 27, weather permitting. Trail edge stabilization and other related work will continue through December, but the work should not require trail closures. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year, weather permitting.

Trail users are urged to obey all posted signs and avoid construction zones for their safety. Visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and use the FCPA Trail Buddy app to locate alternative trails in the area.

South Run Stream Valley Park is located at 8299 South Run Road in Springfield.

For questions or more information, please contact FCPA Project Manager Isabel Villarroel at Isabel.villarroel@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-7195.

Golf Fairfax is excited to announce a new enhancement to Noteefy, our virtual tee time booking assistant. Golfers can now set up recurring tee time searches, making it easier than ever to secure tee times at their favorite Golf Fairfax courses, eliminating the need for repeated manual searches.

“Finding the perfect tee time can be a real challenge, especially at peak hours,” said Golf Fairfax Director Ryan Carmen. “With this new recurring search feature, golfers can plan in advance—just like setting up recurring meetings but for tee times. We want golfers to play more and search less.”

Signing up for Noteefy is quick and easy and takes less than 30 seconds. This feature ensures that golfers stay ahead of the game by booking prime tee times with minimal effort. As the tee times are released, golfers will receive notifications to book. For more information and to sign up, visit the Virtual Tee Time Waitlist and Assistant.

How the recurring searches work:

1. Select Frequency: Set up search for one time, daily or weekly occurrence
2. Set Preferences: Pick your preferred dates, times and number of players.
3. Get Alerts: Click "Get Notified" to start receiving alerts for available tee times that match your request.

Discover more about Golf Fairfax's seven municipal golf courses at the Park Authority Golf website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and Spohn Ranch, Inc. are seeking comments from the community on two proposed design concepts for the planned skatepark at Mount Vernon Woods Park in Alexandria. Following an initial public meeting on Sept. 26 and a subsequent community input period, Spohn Ranch has developed two design concepts for the skatepark, which are now available for review.

Residents can view the proposed designs and submit their comments via PublicInput by Dec. 14, 2024. Feedback gathered during this period will guide the refinement of the final design for the skatepark, which is part of Phase II of the ongoing redevelopment project at Mount Vernon Woods Park.

Phase I of the redevelopment of Mount Vernon Woods Park, located at 4014 Fielding St. in Alexandria, is currently in progress and is expected to conclude in early 2025. Phase II, which will include the construction of the skatepark, is anticipated to begin in fall 2025.

For further details on this project or to view the design concepts, please visit the Mount Vernon Woods Skatepark Development Project website.

For additional information, please contact project manager Heather Lynch at heather.lynch@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Get the lowest prices of the year on golf rounds during Golf Fairfax’s Fall Pass Sale beginning Nov. 16-29. Whether you're gearing up for next season or shopping for the perfect golf gift, now is the time to plan your visit and save.

The Fall Pass Sale offers up to 25% off golf rounds at all seven Golf Fairfax courses: Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only), Oakmont, Pinecrest and Twin Lakes. Take 10% off 5 rounds, 20% off 10 rounds, and 25% off 15 rounds. All savings are based on regular greens fees.

Golf Fairfax is also offering a special deal for seniors. Buy 14 rounds, and your 15th round is free!

Choose from 9-hole or 18-hole passes, for weekends or weekdays. Passes are valid for two years from the date of purchase and are redeemable only at the course where they were bought.

To buy your passes, stop by the pro shop at any participating course.

For more information on the Fall Pass Sale, visit the Golf passes webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and ArtsFairfax, joined by Supervisors Kathy Smith (Sully District) and Jimmy Bierman (Dranesville District) celebrated the unveiling of two new plaques at Ellanor C. Lawrence and Riverbend Parks to inspire creativity in nature with Poetry in the Parks. The initiative, created by outgoing Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra, encourages parkgoers to contribute creative writing, poetry and illustrations inspired by park scenes to ArtsFairfax’s digital collection of Poetry in the Parks.

The Poetry in the Parks project has focused on bringing parkgoers and poetry lovers into the same space through poetry readings and workshops at several area parks including Riverbend Park, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Huntly Meadows, Green Spring Gardens and Observatory Park at Turner Farm. Works collected from these events are currently included in the Poetry in the Parks collection.

“Nature is the ultimate canvas and we’re surrounded by it every day in the parks; that’s what makes Poetry in the Parks such a natural connection,” said Park Authority Executive Director, Jai Cole. “In addition to providing avenues for active recreation and physical fitness, parks also provide opportunities to exercise our minds through peaceful reflection, creative thinking, curiosity and learning. This project creates a tremendous opportunity for us all to contribute to our own experiences to our community story.”

Learn more about the Poetry in the Parks program by visiting the ArtsFairfax website.

Families, friends, and community members gathered at Muddy Hole Farm Park on Nov. 4 to celebrate the opening of a brand-new playground and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon exploring nature. Hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with Supervisor Rodney Lusk, the event marked the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new playground, adding an exciting feature to the park.

"This is what the parks are all about," commented Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole, seeing children and parents enjoying their evening in the park with the Wonder Wagon and on the new playground. "We’re in the business of fun, and there’s no more rewarding experience than seeing so many neighbors coming together and having a great time talking and playing together."

The new playground equipment replaced a pre-existing equipment that was originally installed in 2002 and was in need of replacement. The playground was designed to provide a modernized playground experience for children between the ages of 2 and 12. The new equipment includes a slide, climbing and sensory features and a double-bay swing set. The playground surface was also replaced with Poured-In-Place surfacing for added safety and accessibility.

The evening’s festivities also featured the Wonder Wagon, the Park Authority’s popular Mobile Nature Center. Visitors of all ages participated in games, hands-on educational activities, and interactive exhibits that brought local wildlife and ecosystems to life. The event provided a meaningful opportunity for the community to connect with the outdoors and discover the new amenities that Muddy Hole Farm Park has to offer.

Supervisor Lusk shared his enthusiasm for the event and the new park facilities, stating, “I am thrilled that we were able to replace the aging playground equipment and bring in modernized features that will continue to serve as a fun and safe gathering place for children and families from the surrounding neighborhood. Our parks bring us together to play, relax, and just enjoy time as a community, and I’m confident this playground will create lasting memories for years to come.”

See photos of the ribbon-cutting

The 13.6-acre Muddy Hole Farm Park is located at 7941 Kidd St. in Alexandria. In addition to the new playground, the park includes tennis and basketball courts and open fields for recreation. For more information, contact the Park Authority’s Communications Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Get ready for a wonderful winter holiday experience! The Fairfax County Park Authority’s holiday and winter programs are here, and registration is open for select festive events that have become traditions for families all across the county. Don’t miss out on the chance to bring a little extra sparkle to your season.

Some of the Park Authority’s featured events include:

Experience the Holidays at Colvin Run Mill

Embrace the spirit of yesteryear with festive activities at this historic site. Join us for lantern tours, a children’s holiday shopping experience and meet Santa himself! 

• Holiday Lantern Tour: Dec. 6-7, 5:30 or 6:30 p.m., $12
• Children’s Holiday Shopping at Historic Colvin Run: Dec. 7-8, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., $7
• Santa at the Mill: Dec. 14 (3-5:30 p.m.) & Dec. 15 (2-4:30 p.m.), $10
• Sensory-Friendly Santa at the Mill: Dec. 14 (12:30-2:15 p.m.) & Dec. 15 (11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.), $40 per group (up to five in a group)

Register for holiday activities at Colvin Run Mill

Holiday on the Farm at Frying Pan Farm Park

Celebrate the holidays with an evening of wagon rides, animal interactions and visits with Santa. Enjoy food, indoor activities, and cozy campfires.

• Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14, Dec. 20-21, 4:30-7:30 p.m., $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Register for Holiday on the Farm

Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

Climb aboard the Holiday Express for a train ride, spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man Golf and savor s’mores by the fire. Meet Santa, sip hot chocolate and enjoy the season’s warmth. 

• Weekends: Dec. 7-8, Dec. 14-15, Dec. 21-22, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., $15 in advance, $20 at the door

Register for Winter Wonderland at Burke Lake Park

The fun doesn’t stop here! For a complete list of upcoming festivities, check out our Holiday Sneak Peek and secure your spot in the season’s most magical events.