Park Authority

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:

• Pine Ridge Park, 3401 Woodburn Road, Annandale
• Baron Cameron Park, 11300 Baron Cameron Ave., Reston
• Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
• Grist Mill Park, 4320 Mt. Vernon Memorial Highway, Alexandria
• Grove Point Park, 6432 Bowie Drive, Springfield
• George Mason Park, 9700 Braddock Road, Fairfax
• Hogge Park, 3139 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church
• Nottoway Park, 9537 Courthouse Road, Vienna

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.

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.

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.

Register for the 5K

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.

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:

• Replacement of two basketball goal systems
• A stone dust and asphalt overlay of the existing basketball court
• Color coating and line painting
• Installation of a 10-foot vinyl coated fence on the northern end of the court
• Placement of a memorial bench

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.

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:

• Kayaking Instructor
• Natural Resource/Maintenance Staff
• Marina Attendant
• Outdoor Recreation Programmer/Camp Leader
• Park Maintenance and Monitoring Staff at Scott's Run
• Riverbend Park Visitor Center Operator
• Nature and Outdoor Education Camp Teacher
• Interpretive Naturalist (Part-time)

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.

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.

Register for a camp

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.

Register for an adapted camp

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.

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:

• Meet WUSA9 Meteorologist Topper Shutt! Check out the Eco9 Hybrid production truck and create your own weather report – green screen and all!
• Live Entertainment. We have a full schedule of musical and theatrical performances with popular locals, such as the Recycle Pirates, Kevin Elam and Friends and Sonic Boom.
• Live Animals. Come and play with farmland friends from Frying Pan Farm Park and take a closer look at bugs and other creatures.
• Outdoor Ice Skating. That’s right! Strap on the skates and test your skating skills on a synthetic ice rink.
• Physical Challenges. Try out the popular Earth Day Obstacle course, Nerf archery and ax throwing, fitness demonstrations and a variety of games and activities featuring outdoorsmanship and athletic skills.
• Crafts: Paint birdhouses, practice origami, press flowers, or learn to make sustainable play dough from grain milled at our own Colvin Run Mill. That’s just a couple of things to look forward to.
• Explore Nature with Naturalists. From sighting birds in the treetops with binoculars to investigating the creeping critters below, have fun investigating the natural world with the experts.
• Touch-A-Truck. Check out some of the amazing vehicles and machines that help serve our community every day.

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.

In celebration of Dark Skies Week, the Fairfax County Park Authority and Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) are proud to unveil a joint initiative aimed at combating light pollution: the Light Pollution Monitoring Kit. As part of the Citizen Science initiative, residents are encouraged to participate in the preservation of our night skies by contributing valuable data through this innovative program.

Light pollution affects both humans and wildlife. It obscures our view of the stars and results in wasted energy, disrupted sleep patterns and ecological disturbances. From disrupting migratory bird paths to affecting the hunting habits of nocturnal creatures, the adverse effects of light pollution are far-reaching and profound.

The Light Pollution Monitoring Kit, also known as the Dark Skies Kit, empowers citizens to fight light pollution by providing them with the tools needed to measure and monitor light levels in their communities. Starting April 2, twenty-five Light Pollution Monitoring Kits will be available as part of FCPL’s Library of Things. Kits can be placed on hold for pickup at any branch through the Fairfax County Public Library online catalog and can be borrowed for up to three weeks.

Each kit contains a Sky Quality Meter, planispheres for locating constellations in English and Spanish, instructions and a red-light flashlight, enabling users to assess the brightness of their surroundings and contribute to the ongoing effort to preserve our natural nightscapes. Participants are encouraged to report their participation on the Watch the Green Grow website.

To learn more about how you can participate in this vital initiative or to reserve a Light Pollution Monitoring Kit at a library near you, please visit the Dark Skies website.

The opening of the 2024 Farmers Market season is fast approaching and the Park Authority, along with dozens of local food producers, will have tons of fresh and healthy foods waiting for you at all 10 markets located throughout the county.

This year, you can expect to find locally grown produce, delicious baked goods and prepared foods at our farmers markets. Additionally, enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities from musical performances, games, and don’t forget to bring your food scraps to support our community composting efforts!

The 2024 season begins April 17 with the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Market. Check out our full market schedule for the latest times and locations.

WEDNESDAYS

McCutcheon/Mount Vernon

April 17-Dec. 18, 8 a.m. - noon

Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria

Oakmont

May 1-Nov. 6, 8 a.m.-noon

Oakmont Recreation Center, 3200 Jermantown Road, Oakton

Wakefield

May 1 – Oct. 30, 2-6 p.m.

Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale

THURSDAYS

Annandale

May 2 -Nov. 14, 8 a.m. - noon  

Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale

Herndon

May 2 -Nov. 7, 8 a.m. - noon  

Old Town Herndon, 700 Block of Lynn St., Herndon (by the Red Caboose)

FRIDAYS

McLean

May 3-Nov. 15, 8 a.m.-noon

Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road, McLean

Kingstowne

May 3-Oct. 25, 3-7 p.m.

In the Giant parking lot, 5870 Kingstowne Towne Center, Alexandria

SATURDAYS

Burke

April 20-Dec. 21, 8 a.m.-noon

VRE parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway, Burke

Reston

April 27-Dec. 7, 8 a.m.-noon

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

SUNDAYS

Lorton

May 5-Nov. 10, 8 a.m.-noon

VRE parking lot, 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton

Visit the Farmers Market website for complete information about this year’s markets – including details on SNAP benefits for eligible households available at designated locations.

If you have any questions, please contact the Community Horticulture Office at 702-642-0128.

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to view a solar eclipse with the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Park Authority has prepared extraordinary eclipse viewing activities at locations throughout the county on Monday, April 8. Join us for a safe viewing experience that will include both pre- and post-eclipse activities, games and demonstrations.

April 8 viewing event locations include:

• Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Burke Lake Park (2-4 p.m.)
• Historic Huntley (1:30-4:30 p.m.)
• Turner Farm Park (1:30-4:30 p.m.)

Event admission is $10 per person. Each location will have a limited number of eclipse-viewing glasses, and sun-spotting scopes will be available to view the eclipse thanks to donations from the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Participants are encouraged to bring portable chairs and blankets.

Register for Solar Eclipse viewing programs

Safety Note: During this year’s solar eclipse, the sun will be at a maximum of solar activity, so the corona may be more spectacular than what was seen in 2017. Since we are not in the path of totality in Northern Virginia, it will not be safe to view the eclipse without special solar viewing glasses, welder’s goggles, or using a projection method.

Extra glasses will be distributed during Bluebells at the Bend at Riverbend Park on Saturday, April 6. If you are planning to view the eclipse on your own, please visit NASA's Total Solar Eclipse Safety webpage for additional safety information.

For more information or to register for these safe eclipse viewing events, or to learn more about a variety of astronomy programs available at Fairfax County parks, visit the Astronomy website.