Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Authority will be hosting a variety of volunteer service opportunities throughout the park system in commemoration of National Public Lands Day on Sept. 23. Join in the fun and in giving back to our parks by protecting and preserving the precious resources we have in our community.

For 30 years, National Public Lands Day has been the nation’s largest, single-day volunteer event for public lands. Over the years, volunteer activities have mobilized residents of all ages and abilities to celebrate our collective responsibility to care for the natural, cultural and recreational resources available to our diverse communities through the county’s park system.

This year, with the help of many partners and community organizers, the Park Authority is pleased to host volunteer opportunities in every magisterial district. A variety of service activities are available, including mulching, gardening, invasive species removal, and trash cleanups along trails, waterways, parks, rec centers and golf courses. For a complete listing of volunteer opportunities, please visit the National Public Lands Day webpage.

View the National Public Lands Day flyer

“Maintaining a world-class park system of that magnitude can only be done with a strong sense of responsibility to be stewards of our environment among the community that we serve,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “Our residents love the parks and one of the ways they demonstrate it is through the thousands of hours of service contributed each year toward preserving, restoring and protecting the treasured resources of our parks.”

Fairfax County is home to 420 parks, more than 334 miles of trails, nature centers, rec centers, golf courses, and athletic fields across more than 23,000 acres of public land and open space throughout Fairfax County. In fiscal year 2023, more than 3,700 volunteers contributed more than 111,044 service hours to support a wide variety of service activities from cleanups and plantings to supporting events and programs within the park system. The service-hour contribution equates to a financial investment of approximately $3.6 million in in-kind support for the park system.

For more information on volunteering in Fairfax County parks, visit the Volunteer webpage.

For additional details pertaining to National Public Lands Day, visit the National Public Lands Day webpage; or contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.