Park Authority

Prepare for the golf season with unbeatable discounts on rounds at all seven Golf Fairfax courses and a chance to win a free foursome round of golf. From March 21 to April 5, golfers can save on weekend and weekday passes at Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only), Oakmont, Pinecrest and Twin Lakes golf courses.

Spring pass deals include:

• Get 10% off 5 rounds, 20% off 10 rounds and 25% off 15 rounds. Pass savings are based on regular greens fees.
• Senior golfers, save up to 35% off weekday rounds and receive the 15th round for free with the purchase of 14 rounds.
• Passes are available for 9 or 18 holes, for both weekend or weekday rounds.
• Golf passes are valid at the course where it was purchased for two years after the date of purchase.

New this year, each course will be selecting one lucky winner to receive a free foursome round of golf at the winner’s course. Every customer who purchases rounds during the sale will be automatically entered to win!

Visit participating golf pro shops to purchase your passes.

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin work on a trail paving initiative along a 550-foot section of the South Run Stream Valley trail system. The paving will occur between the new fiberglass bridge (Preakness Bridge) and the culvert closest to Lee Chapel Road underpass. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed within approximately one week.

Work crews with contractor Tibbs Paving will mobilize on site to prepare for work that will involve riprapping culverts, raising the level of the new asphalt trail and performing shoulder restoration. The project aims to pave sections of the trails most affected by the rising waters due to beaver activities, ensuring safer and more accessible pathways for outdoor enthusiasts.

The trail will remain open to the public. However, as preparations for the paving project begin, residents and visitors are reminded to exercise caution if they choose to utilize the trail during the construction time. Clear signage and communication will be established on site to minimize disruptions and ensure public safety throughout the construction phase. In most cases, trail users should be able to navigate around the active construction along the trail.

For questions or concerns, please contact the Construction Maintenance Project Manager Marcos A. Suarez via email at Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Calling all horse enthusiasts to the Annual Horse Expo at Frying Pan Farm Park Equestrian Center! This featured event is for everyone – experienced riders, beginners, and anyone who loves horses or hopes to become a rider. Trot over to the farm on Saturday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and enjoy the show!

Frying Pan Farm Park has been hosting horse shows and serving the local horseback-riding community for more than 50 years. Come by and enjoy a purely authentic equestrian experience. Enjoy amazing equestrian demonstrations; see a variety of horses in the Parade of Breeds; gain insights from expert speakers; explore a wide range of businesses offering horse-related products and services; and indulge in delectable treats from food trucks. Pony rides are also available (Preregistration is required).

Admission to the Horse Expo is free, pony rides are $10 per rider. Visit the Horse Expo webpage for more information.

Register for Horse Expo

Register for pony rides

Frying Pan Farm Park and Equestrian Center is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon. For more information, visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website or call 703-437-9101.

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) are partnering to offer more programs and opportunities for the public to get active in the gym at Sully Community Center.

Sully Community Center features two gyms — Gym 1 being managed by FCPA and Gym 2 being managed by NCS.

FCPA offers the opportunity to rent the entire Gym 1 or reserve space (Court A and B) inside the gym. Organizations and groups looking to host practices, tournaments and games are invited to contact Natalie Sandelli at natalie.sandelli@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-817-9407 to learn more.

Reserve a court

Enjoy your next indoor game or activity — play pickleball, basketball, badminton, volleyball and more at Sully Community Center.

Learn about FCPA rentals, reservations and programs offered in the community center’s Gym 1

Sully Community Center is located at 13800 Wall Road, in Herndon. Learn more by visiting the Sully Community Center website.  

History comes alive as Colvin Run Mill opens its doors to an immersive journey back to 1811! Beginning April through October, on the first and third Sundays of each month, visitors will have the unique opportunity to witness the mill in full operation from 2 to 3 p.m. for just $10 per person.

Discover the ingenuity of our forefathers and explore one of the nation’s last standing examples of early American mass production; learn about Oliver Evans’ groundbreaking plans for an automated mill, which forever changed the landscape of food production; get a glimpse into the lives of those who worked tirelessly to keep the mill running smoothly; and purchase your own freshly ground grain from the mill to add a touch of historic authenticity to your culinary creations.

Please note that operational hours are subject to weather conditions. For confirmation, please call Colvin Run Mill at 705-759-2771.

Register for Mill in Motion

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to experience history in motion!

Colvin Run Mill is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls. For more information or to register, visit the Colvin Run Mill website.

Join us for a blooming adventure that promises fun for the whole family at Riverbend Park's annual Bluebells at the Bend Festival, on Saturday, April 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This family-friendly event offers fun for all ages, including:

• Wildflower Walks: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of spring as you stroll through fields of vibrant bluebells and other wildflowers, guided by knowledgeable experts.
• Live Music: Enjoy performances as you take in the sights and sounds of nature in full bloom.
• Up-Close Encounters: Get up close and personal with live animals and learn fascinating facts about the creatures that call Riverbend Park home.
• Creative Kids' Crafts: Spark your little ones' imagination with hands-on crafts and activities designed to inspire creativity and wonder.
• Exciting Exhibitors: Explore a variety of exhibits showcasing local organizations, artists and environmental initiatives that celebrate the beauty and importance of nature.
• Delicious Food: Indulge your taste buds with a delectable selection of food offerings that are sure to satisfy cravings and fuel your adventure.

Tickets are $10 per person online until April 5, and $12 per person on the day of the event.

Register for Bluebells at the Bend

Riverbend Park is located at 8700 Potomac Hills St. in Great Falls. For more information, please call 703-324-8563 or visit the Riverbend Park website.

Get ready for an exciting summer with Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2024 Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children) program. This six-week structured recreation program engages children in grades 1-6 in fun weekly, themed sessions featuring fitness, indoor and outdoor games, team sports, nature, crafts, special events, talent shows and play sessions.

From June 24 through Aug. 1, Rec-PAC will be hosted at elementary schools across Fairfax County. Rec-PAC is partnering with Fairfax County Neighborhood and Community Services and Fairfax County Public Schools to provide daily breakfast and lunch at all locations this summer.

Registration for the program is now open. Scholarships are available for qualified individuals and applications may be submitted online for the program. Please visit the Rec-PAC website for program details, scholarship applications and more.

Register for a Rec-PAC program

We’re Hiring!

Every year, Rec-PAC staff play a critical role in delivering a quality experience for our participants. Applications are now being accepted for a variety of positions. Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time Rec-PAC begins. Applications are currently being accepted online. Job seekers are also welcome to attend any of the four remaining open hire sessions (May 8, 31 and June 3, 5) to interview. For more information about summer employment with Rec-PAC, visit the Rec-PAC jobs webpage.

Information Regarding Rec-PAC in 2025

The proposed FY 2025 Fairfax County budget includes a plan to realign Fairfax County summer camp programs with overlapping functions and responsibilities, including Rec-PAC (currently managed by the Park Authority) and Camp Fairfax (currently managed by Neighborhood & Community Services). If adopted, this change will be effective for summer 2025 and WILL NOT impact summer 2024 programming for Rec-PAC or Camp Fairfax.

If you have questions about this proposal, join the Park Authority and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services for a community information session on Thursday, March 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Pennino Building – Room 206 A (12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax). For those unable to attend in person, a virtual option is available. Additional information about the proposed realignment and details regarding the upcoming information session are available online.

Celebrate the cherry blossoms’ arrival and join us in the woods of Frying Pan Farm Park for a nature-filled experience on Saturday, April 6. Into the Woods is a free, fun-for-all-ages, self-paced tour that promises to ignite your sense of wonder and discovery!

Visitors can enjoy:

• Unique Natural Wonders: Discover the magic of Frying Pan Farm Park's woods, where the combination of spring sunshine and rare soil creates a vibrant ecosystem.
• Self-Paced Exploration: Embark on a nature-filled adventure at your own pace, starting from the main park entrance. Follow the trail near the historic meetinghouse and prepare to be amazed at every turn.
• Interactive Stations: Along the trail, encounter stations designed for wildlife appreciation, fairy house building and craft-making. Let your creativity soar as you engage with the natural world around you.
• Free Admission: This event is free for all participants, making it the perfect outing for families, friends and nature enthusiasts of all ages.

Even though this event is free, registration is required to help us manage guest volume at these activities. Participants can choose program start times at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and noon. 

Register for Into the Woods

Frying Pan Farm Park is located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon. For more information about the park and a variety of upcoming events, visit the Frying Pan Farm Park website.

On Saturday, March 9, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and members of the Woodlawn Little League community joined to celebrate the beginning of construction for a new restroom and concessions building at McNaughton Fields Park.

The new facility has been a part of the vision for McNaughton Fields Park since its creation in 2016. The project includes the construction of a permanent facility with restrooms, concessions stand and storage capacity centered on an existing concrete pad, where utilities had initially been placed and stubbed in anticipation of the addition of the new building.

“McNaughton Fields Park is another example of our hundreds of open spaces within the Fairfax County Park System that are so beloved by the communities they serve. We at the Park Authority certainly appreciate the collaboration and support of the community and Supervisor Storck in making it possible for this new facility to be constructed,” said Mount Vernon District Park Authority Board Member Linwood Gorham.

During his opening remarks, Storck spoke to the significance of this project for the youth in the surrounding communities.

"Our youth are our greatest asset, and this is a significant investment to support the continued development and engagement of our young people. I am proud to have made a difference in this decadelong effort by parents and community members, who spearheaded a fundraising effort that generated $200,000 to get this project done. I also want to extend my appreciation to everyone who contributes their time, energy and effort to working with our young people in any capacity. Together we look forward to many wonderful experiences for years to come at McNaughton Fields Park," said Storck.

The total estimated cost for the project comes to just over $1 million. Active construction is anticipated to be completed by early fall, weather depending.

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

Calling all nature enthusiasts, explorers and curious minds! Get ready for an unforgettable experience as the brand-new Woodlands Stewardship Education Center opens its doors at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. During spring break (March 24–31), embark on a journey of discovery and environmental stewardship that will leave you inspired and amazed! Visitors will be able to enjoy:

• Interactive Learning: Dive into a world of wonder as you explore the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center, designed to captivate adults and children alike with its immersive exhibits and hands-on activities.
• Discovering Environmental Stewardship: Learn about the principles of environmental stewardship that are shaping the way we interact with and preserve our natural environment, making a world of difference for future generations.
• Interactive Experiences: Try out new activities and experiences, including the Learning Observational Outdoor Pod (LOOP), where you can connect with nature in a unique and meaningful way. Plus, discover state-of-the-art digital screens in the kiosk that bring the natural world to life like never before.
• Expert Guidance: Friendly staff will be on site to answer your questions, provide insights and guide you through your exploration of the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center.

The spring break schedule for the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center is as follows:

• Sunday, March 24, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Monday, March 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Wednesday, March 27, 3-7 p.m.
• Thursday, March 28, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Friday, March 29, 3-7 p.m.
• Sunday, March 31, 2-6 p.m.

The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center is located at 5301 Walney Road in Chantilly. For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center website.