Park Authority

Whether you are stocking up for golf season or shopping for stocking stuffers, enjoy the lowest prices of the year on golf rounds during the Black Friday Pass Sale from Nov. 18 to Nov. 29.

Save on weekend and weekday passes at Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only), Oakmont (formerly Oak Marr)*, Pinecrest and Twin Lakes golf courses. Take 10% off 5 rounds, 20% off 10 rounds and 25% off 15 rounds. Pass savings are based on regular greens fees.

Seniors, save up to 35% off weekday rounds. Seniors can purchase 14 rounds and get the 15th round for free.

Passes are available for 9 or 18 holes, for weekend or weekday rounds. Golf passes are valid at the course where it was purchased for two years after the date of purchase.

To purchase passes, visit participating golf pro shops.

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

View the Golf Pass Sale flyer

*Note: The Fairfax County Park Authority Board recently approved of changing the name of the Oak Marr Golf Center to Oakmont Golf Center. This change will be phased in across the Park Authority website and registration system over the next several weeks.

A dash of sparkle, a pinch of holiday spice and a sprinkle of magic — find this recipe for the perfect holiday in Fairfax County parks this season. The Fairfax County Park Authority is hosting events perfect for one and all.

Enjoy holiday decorations, gather around the campfire, stargaze, birdwatch, meet Santa, find the perfect holiday gift, don a tacky holiday sweater for a skate/dance party, take a tour by candlelight or lanternlight, or take part in a magical round of mini golf. Here’s a quick look at what awaits you, your family and your friends this holiday season in the park:

At Frying Pan Farm Park

• Holiday on the Farm: Fridays (4:30-7:30 p.m.) and Saturdays (4:30-7:45 p.m.), Dec. 1 - 15. Enjoy an evening of wagon rides, indoor activities, food, animal interactions and campfires.
• Animal Tea Party: 10-11 a.m. and 2 - 3 p.m., Jan. 19, 20, 26 and 27

At Burke Lake Park

• Winter Wonderland: Saturdays and Sundays (11 a.m.-5 p.m.), Dec. 2-17. Visit Santa, enjoy hot chocolate, ride the Holiday Express train, take a spin on the Carolers Carousel, play Gingerbread Man mini golf, warm yourself by the fire and cook s’mores.
• Stargazing Spectacular: 5:30-7 p.m., Jan. 13. Enjoy guided stargazing and listen to ancient stories about constellations around a campfire.

At Colvin Run Mill

• Children's Holiday Shopping: 11 a.m.-3:20 p.m., Dec. 2-3
• Sensory-Friendly Santa at the Mill: 11:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., Dec. 9; and 11:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Dec. 10
• Santa at the Mill: 3-6:30 p.m., Dec. 9

At Historic Huntley

• A Very Mason Christmas: 3:30-5:30 p.m., Dec. 17

At Franconia Rec Center

• Ugly Holiday Sweater Family Skate and Dance Night: 6-9 p.m., Dec. 16. Light up the night with your tackiest holiday sweater while skating and dancing to holiday classics played by a DJ.

At Green Spring Gardens

• Learn about the Christmas Bird Count: 10-11 a.m., Dec. 9

For more information and to register for these holiday events, visit the Seasonal Events in the Parks website. 

Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) Board Chair Anita Herrera presented a ceremonial check in the amount of $1,246,585.41 to the Park Authority Board at its Nov. 8 meeting. This represents the total monetary funding received from donors that was transferred to the Park Authority during Fiscal Year 2023 for important projects, outreach programs and community events.

Thoughtful and generous charitable contributions from individuals, foundations and organizations enabled FCPF’s FY 2023 support to FCPA for the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, Summer Entertainment Series, Green Spring Gardens Moon Gate, Invasive Management Area Program, Rec-PAC Camp & Class Scholarships, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience, 4-H Fair & Carnival, Earth Day Fairfax, Open Space Land Preservation, Memorials, Trail Building and Care, and much more.

“Fairfax County loves its parks,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “That relationship is manifested through the countless hours of volunteer service and through generous giving through the Fairfax County Park Foundation to support our amazingly diverse park system and the thousands of programs we offer every year to millions of visitors. The involvement and support we receive from the community is one reason that Fairfax County Parks are recognized among the nation’s best.”

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 for more information.

The winter holidays are upon us and local forecasters predicting a white winter for the Washington Metropolitan area. Naturally, many might be wondering how to stay in touch with what’s open and what’s closed during the holidays and during inclement weather. The Fairfax County Park Authority has several ways to be in the know when it comes to holiday hours and closure notifications:

1. The Park Authority Website. Closures and cancellations are posted on the Park Alerts website. This page is accessible by clicking the alert bar at the top of any page within the Park Authority website. Holiday hours are listed on the Holiday Hours webpage.
2. Social Media. Follow the Park Authority on X, Facebook and Instagram. Notifications are posted whenever there are closures or cancellations pertaining to inclement weather, which will point to the Park Alerts website for complete details.
3. Contact Our Sites. For the most current information about specific sites, classes and programs, you may contact your specific location directly. Please note that when registered programs or classes are canceled, staff will send a notification email to all registered participants directly.

For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority, joined by Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, celebrated the official opening of Lake Accotink Park’s new playground with families from the surrounding community on Thursday, Nov.2.

The upgraded playground was installed to replace equipment, which had outlived its useful lifespan as one of the parks most popular features for visiting families since 1995. The new play space features a variety of equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The design includes a tower play structure with a winding slide, boulder climber, four swings, net climber, playhouse, dragonfly teeter-totter, musical panels, and tactile and visual features to provide children with a variety of play experiences.

“I could go on for hours about the science of playgrounds and how they provide an essential space for our children’s physical fitness, socialization and intellectual and creative development, but this is really what it’s all about,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole, pointing out the laughter of dozens of children in the background. “The language of play is universal, and there is no expression which more clearly represents the reason why we are so passionate about providing gold-standard experiences for children of all ages throughout our park system.”

The project cost totaled approximately $300,000. One-time funding was appropriated by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the end of third quarter in fiscal year 2023. The allocation was championed by Chairman McKay, Supervisor Walkinshaw and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk.

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield, Virginia. For more information about the playground project, please contact the Public Information office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

There might be a little more chill in the air, but the harvest is far from over at three of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Farmers Market locations! Enjoy the extended season at the Reston, Burke and McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon farmers markets.

Starting Nov. 25, each market will welcome a handful of new vendors in addition to the ones you know and love. Expect new products, such as bagels, hot biscuits, pho, fresh cheese and more! The Extended Season will continue each week until market closing dates, which can be found below.

Burke Farmers Market

April 22 – Dec. 16, 8 a.m. to noon

VRE Parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke

Reston Farmers Market

April 29 – Dec. 2, 8 a.m. to noon

Lake Anne Village Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston

McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon Farmers Market

April 19 – Dec. 20, 8 a.m. to noon

Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria

Be sure to visit the Burke, Reston, and McCutcheon/Mt. Vernon markets to support your favorite vendors through the season, and to welcome our new vendors to the Extended Season. Visit the Farmers Market website for more information regarding the Extended Season and market locations.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved of a name change for its Oak Marr facilities. Oak Park, Rec Center and Golf Center will now be called Oakmont Park, Rec Center and Golf Center respectively. The elimination of “Marr” from the name of these park facilities follows the county’s pattern of moving away from names and titles that glorify the Confederacy.

Oak Marr was named in commemoration of John Quincy Marr. Marr was the first Confederate soldier killed in combat by a Union soldier in the Civil War during the Battle of Fairfax Courthouse. In 1904, the Daughters of the Confederacy erected a monument at the courthouse to commemorate his death. In 2020, the monument was removed.

The Park Authority is in the process of changing all references in documentation, signage and on the Park Authority website where appropriate.

Oakmont Park, Rec Center and Golf Center are co-located at 3200 Jermantown Road in Oakton. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Don’t let the chilly weather keep you out of the pool! The Aqua Flex pass allows you entry to any aquatics fitness class as a drop-in visitor, space permitting. Choose from among more than 150 aquatics fitness classes offered every week at Rec Centers across the county.

Use the pass to join any water exercise class listed either in the drop-in water exercise class schedule or in any water exercise class listed in Partakes. Classes accommodate all fitness levels -- from low to moderate to high intensity.

Take the plunge this November during the Aqua Flex discount event! During the whole month, 30-visit Aqua Flex passes are available at 15% off, and 20-visit passes are available for 10% off. Friends are welcome, too! Pass holders can bring a guest to class and have an additional visited deducted from their remaining tally. All passes expire four months from the date of purchase.

Don’t miss the chance to get fit — at a discount — in the Park Authority’s pools this November.

View the Aqua Flex Sale flyer

Get a glimpse of what awaits at Aqua Flex ’23!

If you are wondering whether the Aqua Flex pass is right for you, don’t miss out on Aqua Flex’23! This free event will be hosted on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Oak Marr (3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton), Audrey Moore (8100 Braddock Road, Annandale) and Franconia (6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria) Rec Centers.

Come and sample the different styles and intensities of water fitness opportunities offered by the Park Authority. Learn more and sign up for Aqua Flex at Rec Center Aquatics and Swimming webpage. Spaces are filling up fast.

Experience autumn like never before with the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Thanksgiving programs. Our specially curated events are designed to make your holiday memorable and unique. Enjoy turkey trot hikes in the parks, savor harvest-inspired treats, participate in the Turkey Cup golf tournament, craft seasonal decorations and many more family-friendly outings and activities, while celebrating this season of gratitude at Fairfax County parks.

You can register for Thanksgiving-themed activities by visiting Parktakes. Some events include:

Turkey Cup Golf Tournament. Win a Thanksgiving Dinner and Dessert!

Thursday, Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m., at Greendale Golf Course

Tee off at Greendale Golf Course for our 11th Annual Turkey Cup Tournament. Golfers 18 and older compete for a Thanksgiving dinner and dessert in a two-player captain’s choice tournament. Prizes for first and second place per division, and closest to the pin. Registration fee is $130 per team and includes lunch, greens fee, power cart and prizes. Registration closes Thursday, Nov. 9. Make your Thanksgiving UnFOREgettable!

Greendale Golf Course is located at 6700 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. For more information, visit the Greendale Golf Course website or call 703-971-6170.

Find registration information for Turkey Cup

Floral Finesse! Create Your Thanksgiving Masterpiece

Thursday, Nov. 16, 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens

Dive into the world of holiday colors and textures at Green Spring Gardens. Learn the art of crafting a unique Thanksgiving floral arrangement under the guidance of professional designer Betty Ann Galway. You'll leave with tips and tricks to impress at your own holiday gatherings. Plus, join us virtually via Zoom.

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. For more information, visit Green Spring Gardens or call 703-642-5173.

Register for Floral Design Workshop-Holiday Table Arrangement

Thanksgiving Family Skate and Dance Night

Saturday, Nov. 18, 6 to 9 p.m. at Franconia Rec Center

Lace up your roller skates or dancing shoes for a Thanksgiving-themed night out. Bring your family and friends out for an early start celebrating the holiday. Enjoy music by a live DJ, refreshments and fun decorations. Don’t have roller skates? No problem — come out to groove to the music. Cost is $10 in advance or for $15 the day of the event.

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Franconia. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website or call 703-922-9841.

Register for Family Skate Night

Dutch Oven Brunch and Savor History with Corn Pancakes

Monday, Nov. 20, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Historic Huntley

Join us around the campfire at Historic Huntley for a scrumptious Dutch Oven Brunch. Enjoy corn pancakes and fresh butter as we delve into the history of Thanksgiving foodways. Who knew Thanksgiving might not have been celebrated by the Masons? A flavorful journey awaits!

Historic Huntley is located at 6918 Harrison Lane, Alexandria. For more information, visit the Historic Huntley website or call 703-768-2525.

Register for Dutch Oven Brunch

Turkey Trot, A Wild Adventure in the Forest

Saturday, Nov. 25, 10 to 11 a.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Get your gobble on! Bring your family to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park for an exciting turkey-themed adventure. Explore the cedar forest, seek out wild turkeys and decode their intriguing signs. It's an event that'll leave you saying, "Turkeylicious!"

Register for Turkey Walk

Make Room for Turkeys!

Saturday, Nov. 25, 2 to 3 p.m. at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Have you ever wondered about turkeys' role in cultures throughout the Americas? Join us at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to uncover the secrets of these fascinating birds. Learn how habitat restoration can ensure their future, and let's celebrate together!

Register for Make Room for Turkeys

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is located at 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly. For more information, visit the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park website or call 703-631-0013.

Golf Fairfax is proud to offer special Military Mondays discount pricing to express our heartfelt gratitude to the brave men and women who have served and continue to service in the U.S. military.

All active-duty and veteran military personnel are invited to enjoy a discounted round of golf on Mondays at all seven Fairfax County Park Authority golf courses. This is an opportunity for military personnel to access some of the best golf courses that Fairfax County has to offer. To obtain the discount, eligible personnel must present a valid military identification. Discount pricing is available through March 2024.

“We are deeply appreciative of the sacrifices made by our military personnel, Golf Fairfax is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming community, and Military Mondays are one of the ways we aim to achieve this,” said Ryan Carmen, division director for Golf Fairfax.

To learn more about Military Mondays and access additional information about the Fairfax County Park Authority Golf Courses, please visit the Golf website.

View the flyer to see current pricing for Military Mondays