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Park Authority To Celebrate Earth Day with Sustainable Practices at Annual Festival | Did you know that live events send 4 billion single-use cups to the landfill every year in the United States? This year the Park Authority, in partnership with r.World, will be working together to take a new step forward to reduce waste at our Earth Day Festival venue. Combining efforts with the reusables experts at r.World, the Park Authority will distribute reusable cups and food containers to food and beverage vendors around the site to fill with their respective food items when orders are made. r.World cups and food containers are not “Earth Day giveaways” and they’re also not for sale. Just like cups at a restaurant, they should be returned to the appropriately marked reuse bins at designated waste stations throughout the event to be collected and reused. Event visitors can pick up their reusable r.Cups and r.Wares at designated food and beverage distribution points, and when they’re done, return the cups and food containers to the clearly-marked reuse bins, not the trash cans or recycling bins. Following the event, the r.World team picks up the reusables, sanitizes them, repackages them and – presto! – they’re ready for the next event. r.World reusable items can be used hundreds of times, eliminating tons of waste from landfills. “Earth Day has a long tradition of being a fun and exciting event for thousands of visitors each year,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “The year’s reuse effort is just another way we are looking to make this event impactful by reinforcing the idea that it’s the small choices we make on a daily basis that can have the biggest impact on the beauty and enjoyment we find in the world around us.” Earth Day will also feature exhibits and activities focusing on a variety of sustainable practices, including encouraging guests to fill their reusable water bottles at the water bar, composting and recycling practices, and promoting native plants and practices for improving the health of our watershed. The Earth Day Festival will be held Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Sully Historic Site located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Centreville. Admission is free; on-site event parking is $10 per vehicle. For more information, visit The Earth Day festival website. The annual Earth Day Festival is provided in partnership with 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. |
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Park Authority Prepares for Court Improvement at South Lakes Drive Park | The Fairfax County Park Authority is dedicated to expanding and improving diverse recreational opportunities for all residents. Planned court improvements during 2024 will include the renovation of several courts and the addition of futsal courts to accommodate the growing demand for this sport across the county. In that light, the Park Authority is making preparations to renovate an underutilized court at South Lakes Drive Park to include a combination basketball/futsal court. South Lakes Drive Park is a prime location for the addition of a futsal court given the court’s location in the park and benefit to the surrounding community. Court improvements are anticipated to be completed in summer 2024. The project scope will include the following:
The Park Authority welcomes public feedback on the planned court improvements at South Lakes Drive Park. A 30-day public comment period opened April 11, and will extend until 5 p.m. on May 10. South Lakes Drive Park is located at 11951 South Lakes Drive, Reston, Virginia. |
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Join the Spring Cleaning Effort in Fairfax County Parks This April | It’s spring cleaning time again and the Fairfax County Park Authority and dozens of volunteers of all ages throughout the county are rolling up their sleeves to spruce up public parks across the county as art of our annual Watershed Cleanup Days in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy. Spring cleaning in the parks isn't just about picking up trash—it's a chance for individuals, families, and groups to make a meaningful impact while earning service hours, fostering team building and showing appreciation for our environment. Cleanups have been scheduled at various locations throughout the county and offer a diverse array of activities to be involved in. From collecting and bagging trash to tackling other projects, volunteers will have the chance to contribute to the beautification and preservation of our natural spaces. Choose from among the following locations: Saturday, April 6
Friday, April 12
Saturday, April 13
Saturday, April 20
Saturday, April 27
Sunday, April 28
The Fairfax County Park Authority’s annual Watershed Cleanup Days are scheduled in conjunction with the Nature Conservancy at sites throughout the county on various dates in April. Visit the Nature Conservancy website to sign up For questions or additional information, please contact Jen Dalke, volunteer program manager, at jdalke@tnc.org. |
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Park Authority, Master Gardeners Offer Free Vegetable Garden Clinics | As spring blooms, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Master Gardeners extend a warm invitation to all gardening enthusiasts for a series of free Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics. These educational programs, offered in collaboration with the Fairfax County Master Gardeners and the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE), aim to cultivate a deeper understanding of gardening practices and foster a sense of community among green thumbs of all levels. Join expert gardeners at a variety of locations as they provide valuable insights, answer questions, distribute soil sample kits, and offer complimentary analyses of plant and pest issues. These clinics are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on the following Saturdays: April 13, May 11, June 8, July 13, Aug. 10 and Sept. 14. Clinics will be held concurrently on each of these dates at eight locations across Fairfax County:
Be sure to check the Fairfax County Master Gardeners website for any cancellations due to inclement weather. For more information about these free gardening clinics, call 703-324-8556 or email HelpDesk@FairfaxGardening.org. These free clinics are made possible through the Community Garden Plot Rental Program at Green Spring Gardens, where the Fairfax County Park Authority rents more than 700 garden plots annually to Fairfax County residents. To learn more about this program and to register for a plot, please visit the Community Garden Plot Rental Program website or email FCPAGardenPlots@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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Discover the New Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Spring Open House Event | The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to welcome neighbors from across the county to the brand-new Woodlands Stewardship Education Center during the Spring Open House event on Sunday, April 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. Nature enthusiasts of all ages are invited to immerse themselves in a day of fun activities designed to foster a deeper connection with the natural world. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on exploration of the stewardship center and gain valuable insights into sustainable practices that can be incorporated into their own homes, including water reclamation, solar energy production, reused materials and more. Adding to the festive atmosphere, guests will be treated to a special musical performance by Marsha from Marsha and the Positrons. The realization of this project was made possible through the generous contributions of numerous donors, whose support has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life. The Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation extend their sincere gratitude to all those who have contributed to making this dream a reality. For more information about the Open House event and the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, please visit the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park 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 them at 703-324-8582 to learn more. |
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Friends of Lake Accotink Park To Host First Beaver 1040 5K Run/Walk On April 13 | Lace up your running (or walking) shoes and join the Friends of Lake Accotink Park for their inaugural 1040 5k at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, April 13. Enjoy a scenic trip around the Lake Accotink Loop at your chosen pace and find out how you can be an active participant in the Friends of Lake Accotink Park community. Race packet pick-up opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning, April 13. The race will begin promptly at 10:40 a.m. Registration for this event is $25 per participant. The Friends of Lake Accotink is a certified 501(c)3 organization. The organization relies on the generosity of supporters to fund vital projects and educational programs that benefit the park and its visitors. For more information about this event, contact the Friends of Lake Accotink Park at contact@flapaccotink.org. Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. For information about the park and park programs, visit the Lake Accotink Park website or call 703-569-3464. |
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McLean Central Park Basketball Court To Receive a Slam Dunk Facelift | The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce renovations to McLean Central Park Basketball Court beginning this week. Work crews with contractor ATC will be mobilizing on-site to prepare for work that will include:
Weather permitting, the project is expected to take six weeks to complete. The Park will remain open to the public; however, the work may impact access to some areas of the park, including the parking lot behind the Dolley Madison Library. Visitors are reminded to please follow all signs and placards around the site to safely navigate around construction activities during the project. With contributions received from the Friends and Neighbors of Thomas A. Mulquin and the application of grant funding awarded through the Park Authority’s Mastenbrook Grant Program, this project reflects a collaborative effort to enhance recreational spaces and promote community engagement. The total project budget is $65,176.50, with $45,176.50 coming from community contributions. Questions and concerns from the community may be directed to the Construction Maintenance Project Manager Marcos A. Suarez at Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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Spend Your Summer on the River: Open Hire Event at Riverbend Park | Are you looking for a fun summer job working in an upbeat atmosphere, surrounded by nature and scenic views? Join the team at Riverbend Park for a memorable summer experience on the river. The Fairfax County Park Authority is hosting an open hire event on Saturday, April 13 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Riverbend Park Visitor Center in Great Falls. Job seekers are invited to attend and meet staff from Riverbend Park, interview on site and potentially walk away with a job. Summer hires are eligible for a $500 sign-on bonus and access to use any of FCPA’s recreation centers. Additional benefits include opportunities for advancement and a competitive salary ranging from $15 to $35 per hour, depending on position and experience. The Park Authority is hiring for the following positions at Riverbend Park:
For full position descriptions, salary ranges and to apply online if you aren’t able to make it to the open hire event, visit the Nature and History jobs website. For more information, contact the Park Authority at FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-8792. The Riverbend Visitor Center is located at 8700 Potomac Hills St. in Great Falls. For more information, visit the Riverbend Park website or call 703-759-9018. |
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Join the Fun at a Park Authority Camp, Waitlists Now Open | Looking to have fun at an upcoming Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) camp? Many spaces remain open for summer camps and the remaining spring school holidays on Wednesday, April 10 and Friday, May 3. If your top choice camp is full, you can now join the waitlist. New and Notable Camps for 2024 Adult Camps (for individuals 18 and over): Reclaim the excitement of youth by taking time off work to explore nature, get active and enjoy summer camp. Explore the summer 2024 adult camps by selecting “adult” in the age range category. Camp opportunities include Pickleball, Potomac Adventures, Art in Nature and Women in the Woods. High School Camps (for students ages 14 to 17): Camps feature such topics as DJ skills, advanced fishing, business and leadership, computer programming and drones, golf and soccer camps. Explore the summer 2024 high school camps by selecting “teen” in the age range category. Register your teenager for a camp Adapted and Inclusion Camps: These camps are designed for those with disabilities of any age, children to adults. Upcoming adapted camps will allow children to explore nature, interact with animals and enjoy various indoor and outdoor games and activities. Explore the summer 2024 adapted camps. The Park Authority offers numerous resources to find the camp that is right for you among more than a thousand camp offerings. Visit the Camps website to browse the 2024 Camp Guide, and access all our camp planning tools such as the Camp Spreadsheet and Camp Planner. For more information or assistance, please email camps@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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Don’t Miss the Action at the 2024 Earth Day Festival | Have you ever wanted to produce your own weather report? How about ice skating outside in early spring? If either of these opportunities appeal to you or if you’re looking for dozens of other ways to fill your day with fun, excitement and memories, you’re not going to want to miss the Park Authority’s 2024 Earth Day Festival on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sully Historic Site. Don’t miss out on an action-packed, star-studded event with entertainment, food, games, prizes and more -- all geared toward helping participants enjoy the outdoors through engaging and fun activities, music and discovery. Here’s just a few highlights of what to expect:
Mark your calendar and join us for an "out-of-this-world" Earth Day experience! For a complete rundown of the day’s activities and programs, visit the Earth Day Festival website. Individual admission to the Earth Day Festival is free, but there is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle. Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, Virginia. This popular event is sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation, 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 park land, facilities and services. Visit the Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582. |
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