Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors voted unanimously to accept the nominations of Ben Aiken, Paul Berry, Mark Buenavista, and Alyssa Keefe as board directors of the fundraising arm for the Fairfax County Park Authority at the Jan. 21, 2025 Park Foundation board meeting.

Benjamin G. Aiken, MPA, is a civic innovator and public sector leader with over 16 years of experience strengthening local government operations in Northern Virginia. As Deputy Director of Fairfax County's Department of Code Compliance, Aiken champions data-informed decision making and inclusive community engagement to enhance quality of life for all residents. His commitment to environmental stewardship and equitable access to community resources aligns with a belief that strong public spaces are essential to building vibrant, connected communities.

Paul D. Berry is a former public school teacher, World Bank and IADB alum, and now serves as Vice President at Aegis Mobile. He attended Brown University where he studied pure mathematics and later obtained graduate degrees from the University of Geneva, and the University of Chicago. Berry has a long history of public service, and in 2018 Gov. Ralph Northam appointed him to an advisory role in the Office of the Governor. The policy agenda Berry oversaw impacted nearly a million Virginians and addressed health, housing, education and economic needs throughout the state.

Mark A. Buenavista, AIA, AICP, CCM, is a planner and registered architect with the Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development, currently overseeing the department’s program to develop and finance affordable housing and community facilities serving households with low and moderate incomes. Buenavista holds a bachelor of science in architecture and a master of architecture from the University of Virginia, as well as a master of business administration from the Fox School of Business at Temple University.

Alyssa D. Keefe, MPP, serves as Senior Vice President of Policy and rejoined the Federation of American Hospitals in December 2024. She has held senior health policy positions at the American Hospital Association, Catholic Health Association of the United States and the National Coalition on Health Care. She holds a bachelor of science in public policy and speech communications from Syracuse University and a master of public policy from Georgetown University.

Gary W. Kirkbride, Senior Vice President, Dewberry (ret.) is recognized for FCPF board service spanning three terms through December 2025. He was instrumental in helping the Park Foundation initiate long-term investments and the FCPF Forever Fund to endow the greatest needs of future Fairfax County parks.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation 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. To learn more, visit the Park Foundation webpage or call 703-324-8532.

Celebrate five decades of classic cars and family fun at the 50th Annual Father’s Day Antique Car Show on Sunday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly. Presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the George Washington Chapter, Inc., this milestone event is one of the largest and most beloved car shows in the region.

Hundreds of antique vehicles will be on display, with judged competitions and trophy awards throughout the day. Guests can enjoy a full lineup of activities and attractions, including:

• Car Corral
• Live music
• Food vendors
• Specialty car displays
• First-floor tours of the historic house
• Auto, antique and craft flea market
• New this year: Model A Hot Rod class
• ATM available on site

Vehicle and Vendor Registration

• Show Vehicle check-in runs from 7 to 9:30 a.m.
• All vehicles must be pre-registered by June 12. No day-of registration will be accepted.
• Registration is $10 per vehicle.
• Flea Market Vendor and Car Corral Registration is open—sign up early to reserve a space.

Register Your Vehicle for the Show

Download the Flyer

Purchase Car Show Tickets

Admission

Purchase tickets in advance by June 14 and save: $12 adult; $10 senior; $8 children (age 5 to 15 years).

Day-of tickets cost $15 for adults; $12 for seniors; and $10 for children (age 5 to 15 years).
 

This annual tradition is perfect for car lovers, history buffs and families looking to spend Father’s Day enjoying classic fun in a beautiful historic setting.

For more information and to get involved, visit the 50th Annual Father’s Day Antique Car Show webpage.

Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. For more information, visit the Sully Historic Site website or call 703-437-1794.

Ready to stay local and play big? Fairfax County Park Authority invites you to plan your ultimate 2025 summer staycation with exciting adventures starting Saturday, May 24. Whether you're cooling off at our award-winning water parks, hitting the mini golf course, or setting sail from our marinas, there's something for everyone to enjoy all summer long. Find specific dates and hours for the summertime fun at the Operational Hours website.

Cool Off and Dive In!

Make the most of those hot summer days with visits to these family-friendly favorites:

• The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston): Twist and splash your way through slides, sprays and the lazy river. Open weekends starting May 24; daily hours begin June 16. Enjoy an extra hour on weekends with the park opening at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
• Our Special Harbor Spray Park (6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria): An inclusive splash zone perfect for kids of all abilities.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pool (8115 Fordson Road, Alexandria): A community pool and children’s wading pool opening Memorial Day weekend with space to swim, relax and enjoy.

Mini Golf, Maximum Fun

Tee off at four mini golf locations for a fun outing the entire family will enjoy:

• Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)
• Lake Accotink Park(7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield)
• Oakmont (3136 Jermantown Road, Oakton)

Classic Carousel Rides

Whirl around with joy at our charming carousels at one of the Park Authority’s enchanting carousels at several park locations (weather permitting):

• Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)
• Clemyjontri Park (6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean)
• Frying Pan Farm Park (2709 West Ox Road, Herndon)
• Franconia Family Recreation Area (6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria)
• Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield)

All Aboard the Mini Trains

Take a scenic ride through these parks, mini-train style (weekends, conditions permitting):

• Burke Lake Park mini passenger train (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)
• Clemyjontri Park mini train (6317 Georgetown Pike, McLean)

Paddle, Pedal or Cruise on the Water

Get out on the water by renting a kayak, canoe, paddleboard, pedal boat or other vessel at one of our marinas. Many locations also allow for personal boat launches. Please check each site’s rules and regulations online before your visit:

• Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station)
• Lake Accotink Park (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield)
• Lake Fairfax Park (1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston)
• Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls)

In recognition of Memorial Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families to enjoy complimentary access to select park amenities and activities on Monday, May 26.

This special day of recognition is a small way to say thank you for the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Complimentary admission includes:

• Rec Center access, including pools, fitness rooms, gyms/courts and drop-in fitness classes
• Camping at Lake Fairfax Park
• Wagon rides at Frying Pan Farm Park

Guests must present valid military identification to receive complimentary access.

For more information, visit the Park Authority website, or call 703-324-8700. For ADA or inclusion accommodations, call 703-324-8563 or TTY Virginia Relay at 711.

The Memorial Day program is sponsored 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Enjoy warm summer nights with family, friends and community at the Summer Entertainment Series. Free performances that the entire family will enjoy return to locations across Fairfax County coming June through August. Listen to concerts with performers playing everything from go-go to bluegrass to jazz to rock and more. Experience cultural showcases from around the world. Bring children to be entertained by shows specifically for them and watch movies under the stars.

Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County Park Foundation partner to bring this community-building, summer staple back for 2025, with shows kicking off on June 6. All ages are invited to come out to enjoy a picnic, connect with friends and neighbors, and be entertained all summer long.

2025 Summer Entertainment Series offers the following series:

• Arts in the Parks children’s entertainment (8 locations)
• Braddock Nights (Fairfax, Springfield)
• Evenings on the Ellipse (Fairfax County Government Center)
• Franconia Nights (Alexandria) featuring the new Kid’s Concerts on the Green (Springfield)
• Hunter Mill Melodies (Herndon)
• Mount Vernon Nights (Alexandria, Lorton)
• Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park (Herndon)
• Providence Presents (Vienna, Merrifield)
• Spotlight by Starlight (Annandale)
• Springfield Nights (Fairfax Station)
• Starlight Cinema (Chantilly)

Find series details on the Summer Entertainment Series webpage.

Get updates about the upcoming schedule by joining our Summer Concert Series e-news list. All performances are held outdoors. Lawn chairs are welcome. In case of inclement weather, call the concert hotline at 571-202-SHOW (7469) before leaving home. Cancellations are updated online and via hotline one hour prior to the showtime.

The Summer Entertainment Series performances are provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers that contribute to the success of these entertainment series.

The Summer Entertainment Series is sponsored 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Spend your summer at the lake! Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia, is hosting drop-in interviews every Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m., starting May 20 through June 10, 2025. Stop by the Visitor Center to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot! No appointments are necessary!

Available positions include: Maintenance Assistant

Summer Benefits! Summer employees will have access to use any of FCPA’s Rec Centers and may be eligible for a $500 signing bonus*. Additional benefits include opportunities for advancement and a competitive salary.

Can’t make it to the drop-in interviews? No worries! View job ads and apply now for camp positions at the Nature and History Jobs webpage.

View all employment opportunities with FCPA at the Jobs website. 

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. For more information, contact the Park Authority at FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-8792.

*Terms, conditions, and applicable tax apply.

Fairfax County Park Authority celebrates water safety all year long with numerous opportunities to swim and enjoy water at Rec Center pools, lakes, riverfront parks and waterparks.

Each year, the Park Authority hires, trains and certifies lifeguards and swim instructors. It also prioritizes water education, offering its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program and many opportunities to learn to swim and build swim skills with lessons. During National Water Safety Month in May, the Park Authority is placing added emphasis on water safety and education.

Dive Into Swim Lessons

No matter your age, the Park Authority offers lessons in the pool to learn how to swim and increase your swimming skills. In addition to private and semi-private swim lessons, ongoing group swim classes offered include:

• Baby & Me 
• Toddler & Me
• Pee Wee Paddler
• Swimming for Children
• Stroke Mechanics 

In addition, the Park Authority has started offering swim lessons taught in Spanish at multiple Rec Centers. Bilingual instructors using the Virginia Swims curriculum teach lessons to swimmers in both English and Spanish. Contact your local Rec Center to identify bilingual aquatics lessons.

Award-Winning Adapted Swim Programs

Take part in an award-winning Adapted Aquatics Program for adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. The program includes learn-to-swim classes, aquatic exercise classes and training for Special Olympics and Paralympic Swim Team competition.

Water Safety Education for Children

This spring the Park Authority brought back its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program. The free, 30-minute presentation aims to get children ages 3 to 5 comfortable with the concept of being in and around water and shares vital water safety tips. Since this program began in 2022, more than 10,000 children have participated in these classes and learned more about water safety.

Advancing Skills with Summer Swim League

For those looking to increase their skills in the water, the Park Authority offers the Summer Swim League for swimmers ages 6 to 14 to join a swim team and participate in swim meets this summer. The deadline to register is June 16.

All these efforts combine to enhance swimming skills and water safety throughout Fairfax County. Learn more by visiting the National Water Safety Month webpage.

For a complete listing of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s offerings in and around the pool, visit the Aquatics and Swimming webpage.

There’s still time to make your voice heard! The Parks Count! 2026 Parks Needs Assessment Survey closes on June 15, 2025, and we need your input. The Fairfax County Park Authority is asking community members to take the online survey and help spread the word.

Your feedback will help guide the Fairfax County Park Authority’s decisions about park facilities, programs and amenities for the next five years; and shape future investments, including the 2026 park bond. Whether you visit parks regularly or only occasionally or not at all, your perspective matters and will help shape parks and recreation in Fairfax County.

Take the online survey today. It’s easy, and available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Take the Parks Count! Survey

Know someone who cares about parks? Share the survey with friends, family, neighbors and community groups. Everyone’s voice counts!

In addition to the public online survey, a randomly selected group of households will receive a mailed version as part of the project’s statistically valid outreach. If you receive one, please fill it out. We appreciate your participation!

Let’s make parks count, together. Visit the Parks Count! webpage to learn more and complete the survey before June 15.

For questions about the 2026 Needs Assessment, email parkscount@publicinput.com.

The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomed thousands of visitors to Mason District Park on Saturday, May 10, for the 2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, community and heritage.

The free, family-friendly event featured an exciting lineup of traditional and contemporary performances representing cultures from across Asia and the Pacific Islands, including lion dancing, martial arts, Korean drumming, hula, K-pop and more. Attendees explored cultural exhibits, interactive art and calligraphy workshops, and children’s activities throughout the day. Local food vendors served authentic cuisine, offering guests a flavorful tour of AAPI cultures.

Presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and its community partners, the event honors the diverse contributions of AAPI communities in Fairfax County and beyond.

A big thank you to all those who joined us at Mason District Park, including Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and Park Authority Board Member Johna Toomey.

To learn more about this annual event and other cultural celebrations in the parks, visit the Park Authority website.

In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the Fairfax County Park Authority is hosting several events at historic properties across the county. Resident curators at these properties invite community members to learn about the ways in which they are working to preserve Fairfax County’s heritage.

On Saturday, May 31, open house events will be held at the following resident curator properties:

• The Stempson House located at 9501 Furnace Road, Lorton, Virginia
• The Hannah P. Clark/Enyedi House located at 10605 Furnace Road, Lorton, Virginia

The open house events will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and resident curators will be on site to share the history of the homes and the future of the properties. Limited on-site parking will be available at each site.

In addition to the open houses on May 31, ServiceSource, the nonprofit curator for the Ellmore Farmhouse, continues to offer recurring house tours every Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These tours will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the work that ServiceSource does within the community and to see the adaptive reuse of Ellmore Farmhouse, located at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

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.