Park Authority

Prepare for a summer to remember at The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole — join the Gold Rush and get your discounted season passes for the water park before they disappear.

The 2026 Gold Rush Season Pass sale runs through Monday, May 25. Season passes offer savings on daily admission prices — the more you visit, the more you save. Season passholders experience faster entry and can purchase guest passes at a discounted rate. Get these sale prices for season passes while they last:

• $111 for a single person
• $177 for a family of two
• $65 for each additional person

Please note that ages 2 and younger enter for free.

The popular waterpark opens for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 23. Purchase your Gold Rush Season Passes online by visiting the Water Mine website or by calling 703-246-5929.

The Water Mine offers fun for the whole family! Race down exciting water slides, relax in the 725-foot lazy river, play in the spray and showers of the water playground, compete with your friends along the log walk obstacle course, or spend time with toddlers enjoying gentle bubblers, fountains and pint-sized slides in the Tenderfoot Pond. All ages can find something to enjoy in this Old West-themed water park.

Interested in reserving your spot poolside this summer? Check out Water Mine Rentals website for Funbrellas, canopies/tents, awnings, cabanas and bungalows available for rent. Secure your spot for sun-soaked days, for any group size, for any occasion at The Water Mine, located at Lake Fairfax Park, 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston.

Stay up to date with hours, ticket prices and other park updates by visiting the Water Mine website. We will see you this summer at The Water Mine!

Ever wondered what Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers have to offer? Discover all the amenities these community wellness hubs offer when you visit during the Rec Center Open House on Thursday, May 7 and sign up for a free, 7-day trial or purchase a 30-days-for-$30 pass.

Bring friends and family to tour and try out any of the Park Authority’s Rec Centers all day for free with sign up. Stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for special programming, such as fitness demonstrations, sample classes, a membership table with arts and crafts, and other fun activities depending on the location. 

Ready to commit to your health? Purchase an annual membership to Rec Centers throughout May at a 15% discount. Members get access to a variety of tools to help meet personal fitness goals:

• Access all Rec Centers.
• Enjoy pools, spas and saunas.
• Workout in Fitness Centers (with free orientations).
• Join drop-in group fitness classes, either virtual or in person.
• Get moving on sports courts, in gyms and on tracks.
• Take advantage of discounts for drop-in childcare (where available).

Purchase your membership in person at any of the Rec Centers or by visiting the Rec Centers website. Check out how to join, connect and get active by visiting the Rec Centers website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends of Green Spring Gardens invite plant lovers of all kinds to celebrate the season at the annual Spring Garden Day and Big Plant Sale on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Green Spring Gardens.

This free, family-friendly event is a must for anyone with a green thumb — or hoping to grow one. Browse an incredible selection of plants from dozens of local vendors, featuring everything from native and fruiting plants to colorful annuals, perennials, herbs and hard-to-find varieties.

Get expert advice from Extension Master Gardeners, shop garden-themed goods from local artists and businesses and enjoy tasty offerings from food vendors. Don’t miss the Friends of Green Spring Bake Sale for homemade treats to power your plant-shopping spree.

Whether you’re planning a pollinator paradise or starting your very first container garden, Spring Garden Day is the perfect place to get inspired and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.

Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, Virginia. Admission and parking are free. For event details and vendor information, visit the Green Spring Gardens website or call 703-642-5173.

Discover the rich habitats and wildlife that make Huntley Meadows Park one of Fairfax County’s most treasured natural spaces. The park features nationally significant history, sweeping forests, wildflower-filled meadows and expansive wetlands that offer some of the region’s best wildlife viewing.

Celebrate the importance of this premier wetland sanctuary during Wetlands Awareness Day on Sunday, May 3, from noon to 4 p.m. This free event invites visitors to journey into forested paths and immersive boardwalk trails while learning why wetlands matter. Get up-close with live raptors, reptiles, amphibians, wildlife, interactive displays and hands-on activities.

Shuttle service will be available from Groveton Elementary School, 6900 Harrison Lane in Alexandria, to Huntley Meadows Park. Shuttles run every 15 minutes, with the last trip to the park at 3:30 p.m. and the final return shuttle at 4:15 p.m.

Register for Wetlands Awareness Day

Huntley Meadows Park is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Huntley Meadows Park website or call 703-768-2525.

Fairfax County Park Authority and the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends invite families and their four-legged companions to unleash the fun at Park and Bark, a community event supporting Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Join us on Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Walney Visitor Center, located at 5040 Walney Road in Chantilly, for an afternoon filled with dogs, food, music and festive fun.

Park and Bark offers something for everyone — both human and canine alike. Enjoy craft brews from Lazy Dog Restaurant, gourmet hot dogs and sausages from Kaziville, dog-themed vendors, local crafters and live music from Lucas Mason. Guests can also meet adoptable dogs from A Forever Home Rescue Foundation and explore services, such as on-site mobile dog grooming.

Families can take part in children’s activities led by park staff and explore the Walney Visitor Center, featuring exhibits, live reptiles and amphibians, and the natural and cultural history of the park’s 650 acres.

Whether you're looking to adopt, explore or simply enjoy time outdoors with your pup, Park and Bark is a great way to connect with the community and support the park.

Free parking is available at the Visitor Center, with additional access via park trails from Walney Pond and The Woodlands Stewardship Education Center. Overflow parking is available near Walney Pond, 5301 Walney Road, Centreville. Please use the pond lot for overflow parking, as there is no crosswalk from the parking lot across the pond.

So grab your leash, gather your pack and join us for a tail-wagging good time at Park and Bark!

For more information and to plan your visit, please visit the Park and Bark event webpage. 

View the Park and Bark flyer

The countdown is on for the county’s largest Earth Day bash — and we’re shaking things up with a brand-new location. Earth Day Fairfax 2026 hits Lake Fairfax Park in Reston on Saturday, April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Expect a full-on Earth party: family activities, games, food trucks, a craft beer garden, big trucks and Earth friendly vendors — plus live music and entertainment on the main and community stages to keep things rocking!

Jam out, chillax and dance the day away with live music from School of Rock, Recycling Pirates, Proverbs Reggae Band and Wildflower Revival Band. Go green with a special Weather Chat with Topper Shutt and Plant Talk from Merrifield Garden Center. Get up close with live animals from Hidden Pond Nature Center and catch exciting Okinawan karate and taekwondo demonstrations.

In between the action on stage, fill your day with:

• Interactive booths and exhibits
• Free giveaways
• Furry farm friends
• Ideas for summer (camps, amusements, events)
• Ways you can help the planet

Parking is $10 per car. Event takes place rain or shine.

Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Festival, visit the Earth Day 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 703-324-8582.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month at Mason District Park on Saturday, May 9, from 12:30 to 5 p.m. This free, family-friendly festival brings together vibrant performances, cultural experiences and a day of excitement for all ages.

Take in the richness and diversity of AANHPI cultures through traditions, stories and artistic expressions that continue to shape and strengthen our community.

Event Highlights

• Cultural performances: Watch traditional and contemporary dance and music from local AANHPI artists.
• Interactive experiences: Try hands-on activities, such as calligraphy, origami and martial arts demonstrations.
• Global flavors: Sample a variety of authentic dishes from local food vendors.
• Art and culture: Explore exhibits featuring works by AANHPI artists.
• Family fun: Kids can take part in crafts, storytelling and interactive activities throughout the day.

Mason District Park is located at 6621 Columbia Pike in Annandale. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Parking is available on site.

For more information about the AANHPI Heritage Celebration, please visit the AANHPI Month Celebration webpage.

The AANHPI Month celebration is presented by the Asian Community Center in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority and 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 Park Foundation website or call them at 703-324-8582.

Fairfax County’s largest Earth Day celebration Earth Day Fairfax is almost here and at a new location. The 2026 event will take place on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston. In addition to live music, food trucks, a craft beer garden and Earth-friendly vendors, choose from an awesome lineup of things to do during the event!

Things To Do

• The Earth Day Passport is back! Visit select booths and activities to earn a custom Earth Day Fairfax T-shirt.
• Play with farm animals from Frying Pan Farm Park.
• Visit exhibits and experiments featuring the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center that will broaden your understanding of local wildlife, plant life and our ecosystem.
• Physical challenges:
  • Giant rock-climbing wall
  • Flag football throw
  • Golf putting game
  • Fitness demonstrations
• Learn to connect with nature through "land" kayaking and camping.
• Experience animal encounters during the Hidden Pond Nature Center Animal Talk.
• Connect nature and science: Create “Dry Ice Bubble Chemistry” with the Stemtree Education Center.
• Learn paper quilling, wildflower seed ball-making or learn to make sustainable play dough from grain milled at our own Colvin Run Mill.
• Explore with naturalists: From sighting birds in the treetops with binoculars to geocaching for treasures, 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.
• Sensory Tent: For those who may need to find a calmer and more relaxed way of celebrating the day, or who may just need to take a break from the excitement, our sensory tent is filled with toys, fidgets and crafts.

Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Festival, visit the Earth Day website.

View the Earth Day Fairfax Flyer

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.

Spring is here — and so are fresh, local flavors. Fairfax County Farmers Markets return for the 2026 season, bringing farm-fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods to communities across the county. Don’t miss markets at Burke, Mount Vernon and Reston that open in April!

Operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, these popular markets connect residents with local farmers and food producers at 10 convenient locations. Shop seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy, baked goods and artisanal products, while enjoying a vibrant, open-air market experience.

SNAP, Sustainability and Fresh Food for All

Fairfax County Farmers Markets do more than provide fresh food — they support healthy communities and a healthier environment.

• SNAP-friendly markets: SNAP EBT is accepted at select markets. Visit the information tent to exchange benefits for tokens and receive up to $40 in additional fruits and vegetables each market day.
• Plastic-free markets: Fairfax County Farmers Markets have been plastic-free since 2025, eliminating single-use plastic bags across all locations. Vendors use reusable or compostable alternatives. Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags or use on-site bag-share programs.
• Food scrap composting: All 10 markets offer food scrap drop-off. Bring accepted food scraps from home and help turn waste into nutrient-rich compost. (Yard waste is not accepted.)

Market Schedule

WEDNESDAYS

• McCutcheon/Mount Vernon: April 22-Nov. 25, 8 a.m. - noon. Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane
• Oakmont: May 6-Oct. 28, 8 a.m.-noon. Oakmont Recreation Center, 3200 Jermantown Road
• Wakefield: May 6-Oct. 28, 2-6 p.m. Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road

THURSDAYS

• Annandale: May 7-Oct. 29, 8 a.m. - noon. Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike
• Herndon: May 7-Oct. 29, 8 a.m. - noon. Old Town Herndon, 700 Block of Lynn Street by the Red Caboose

FRIDAYS

• McLean: May 1-Oct. 30, 8 a.m.-noon. Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road
• Kingstowne: May 1-Oct. 23, 3-7 p.m. In the Giant parking lot, 5870 Kingstowne Towne Center

SATURDAYS

• Burke: Apr. 18-Nov. 21, 8 a.m.-noon. VRE parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway
• Reston: Apr. 25-Nov. 21, 8 a.m.-noon. Lake Anne Village Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza

SUNDAYS

• Lorton: May 3-Nov. 22, 8 a.m.-noon. VRE parking lot, 8990 Lorton Station Blvd.

For a complete list of market details, vendors and seasonal programs, visit the Farmers Markets website. For more information, contact the Community Horticulture Office at 571-340-3322.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate recent improvements at Hybla Valley Park, located at 3431 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, on Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.

Tucked between neighborhoods and just steps from Hybla Valley Elementary School, Hybla Valley Park is emerging as a hidden gem in Fairfax County’s Franconia District. The modest 2.3-acre park recently received thoughtful upgrades that make it an inviting destination for families and neighbors alike, especially when paired with nearby attractions like Mount Vernon Woods Park, Mount Vernon Rec Center and Huntley Meadows Park.

Recent improvements transformed underused areas into vibrant community spaces. The former tennis courts are now home to a dedicated futsal court and a basketball court, while the practice tennis court has been reimagined as a colorful playground designed for all ages and abilities. Additional upgrades include renovated parking, new site furnishings and more places to sit and relax throughout the park.

“These enhancements reflect our commitment to creating welcoming, accessible neighborhood parks where everyone can play, relax and connect,” said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. “Hybla Valley Park is proof that great community spaces don’t have to be big to make a big impact.”

For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority, visit the Park Authority’s website. For questions, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.