Park Authority

Take a tour historic Oak Hill, one of the oldest homes in Fairfax County, on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This annual open house provides a wonderful occasion to go back in time and rediscover our community roots. Oak Hill Manor is located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale.

Built in 1790 by Richard Fitzhugh, a descendant of one of the first land-grant holders in Northern Virginia, the late Georgian style house was renovated in the Colonial Revival style during the 1940s by renowned restoration architect Walter M. Macomber. In 2004, Seville Homes, the Northern Virgnia Conservation Trust, the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors agreed to a historic and conservation easement to preserve the property, including its 200-year-old boxwoods.

Please note that Oak Hill is a private residence and is only available for public access during this annual open house. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and utilize parking on the residential streets adjacent to Oak Hill.

The Oak Hill Open House is made possible in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Fairfax County Park Foundation and Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. For more information about Oak Hill and this year's open house, please visit the Oak Hill website.

View the Oak Hill Tour flyer

The Fairfax County Park Foundation is 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. For more information about the Foundation, visit the foundation’s website or call 703-324-8582.

At its Aug. 28 meeting, the Park Authority Board received the initial fiscal year 2026 budget recommendations from staff. The presentation included proposed new General Fund budget requests of just over $4.5 million to fund key park priorities. The board is now seeking public comment on the budget recommendations presented, which are now available at Park Budget and Fees website.

Approximately 35% of the funding to support the operation and maintenance of the county’s park system comes from the Fairfax County General Fund, which is approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. The general fund is funded primarily through monies collected through the real estate tax. Each year, the Park Authority reviews and endorses the General Fund budget requests submitted for the county’s consideration.

Fairfax County takes a proactive approach to budgetary planning for the future. In order to provide the County Executive and Board of Supervisors with potential considerations to create a balanced budget, the Park Authority and all Fairfax County agencies supported by the county’s General Fund have also been asked to create a prioritized list of reduction options totaling 10% of their FY 2025 General Fund budget allocation. This list of potential budget cuts, totaling just over $3.5 million, was also presented to the Park Authority Board at the Aug. 28 meeting for their consideration.

The Park Authority Board is seeking public comment on the proposed budget recommendations. Beginning Aug. 28 through Sept. 11, the board will accept written comments submitted via U.S. Mail and email. Additionally, the Park Authority Board will hold a special public input session at the Sept. 11 meeting of its Budget Committee.

Complete details of how to participate are available at the at Park Budget and Fees website. Those interested in speaking at the Sept. 11 meeting are encouraged to sign up online. Speaker order will be generated on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

View the FY 2026 Budget Development Presentation

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites residents to join in the nationwide celebration of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 28. We encourage community members to involved by taking part in any of a wide selection of service activities to protect the natural, cultural and recreational resources of our treasured park system.

Since 1994, National Public Lands Day has mobilized volunteers of all ages to engage in a celebration of service and stewardship of America’s public lands. The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands. This year, with help from many partners and community organizers, the Park Authority is pleased to host volunteer opportunities in every magisterial district.

“The Fairfax County Park Authority is the steward of more than 23,000 acres of parkland and 334 miles of trails throughout Fairfax County,” says Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “Ours is the responsibility to preserve history, conserve natural resources and protect the precious amenities and resources where so many of our residents find peace, enjoyment, exercise and community. We are grateful for the selfless and generous contributions of time, talent and effort by thousands of volunteers each year.”

To learn more about National Public Lands Day and to find an opportunity near you, visit the National Public Lands Day webpage.

For questions about National Public Lands Day, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Every summer the Fairfax County Park Authority brings entertainment to parks throughout Fairfax County through the Summer Entertainment Series. These free, live performances feature concerts by renowned musical groups, children’s entertainment, international cultural showcases and outdoor movies.

Throughout the summer of 2024, the outdoor performances served to bring community together to enjoy entertainment with families and friends. This year featured:

• 196 free, live performances
• 4 outdoor movies
• 11 local series
• 17 venues
• 40,780 estimated attendees

The Summer Entertainment Series comes to the Fairfax community through a partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers that contribute to the success of these events. We would like to acknowledge and thank the long list of 2024 Summer Entertainment Series sponsors:

• Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust
• Arrowbrook Centre LLC
• Dominion Energy
• Interstate Moving|Relocation|Logistics
• Mosaic
• National Endowment for the Arts
• Pulte Homes
• 66 Express Outside the Beltway
• TD Bank
• Transurban-495/95/395 Express Lanes
• Virginia Commission for the Arts
• Wegmans
• Workhouse Arts Center
• RZ Foundation
• Capital One Hall
• Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home and Fairfax Memorial Park
• Family & Friends of Bob Lydick
• Lerner Enterprises
• Crabtree Family Foundation
• EYA LLC
• Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park
• Great American Restaurants
• Hilltop Sand and Gravel
• Kingstowne Towne Center
• McGuireWoods
• Pohanka Automotive Group
• Tysons Corner Center
• The Adler Foundation
• Bunnyman Brewery
• Chaney Enterprises
• Federal Realty
• Glory Days
• Hello Garage
• Kings Park West Civic Association
• McLean Project for the Arts
• NOVEC
• PNC
• Sheehy Auto Group
• Supporters of Mason District Park
• Vulcan
• Walsh, Colucci, Lubley & Walsh PC
• Westfield Business Owners Association
• West Springfield Car Care
• Young Won Trading Company
• Anonymous Donor
• Brynmore Preschool
• CRC Companies LLC
• Anonymous Donors
• Canterbury Woods Civic Association

To learn more about how you or your organization can take part in supporting the 2025 Summer Entertainment Series, visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation's Summer Entertainment Series webpage. 

Stay tuned for details about next year’s series that will be released in May 2025 on the Summer Entertainment Series website. 

The Summer Entertainment Series is sponsored by 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Are you seeking engaging and educational experiences for your homeschooler? The Fairfax County Park Authority offers a diverse range of homeschool programs designed to enrich your child’s learning journey. These programs provide hands-on experiences in an outdoor environment that inspire curiosity and foster a love for learning. With opportunities located at numerous parks throughout the park system, there's something for every homeschooler who enjoys being outdoors and exploring nature.

Nature Exploration & Environmental Science

• Homeschool at the Pond at Hidden Pond Nature Center: Dive into aquatic ecosystems with bi-weekly sessions exploring pond life.
• Homeschool at the Lake – Nature Exploration at Burke Lake Park, Lake Accotink Park and Lake Fairfax Park: Discover the wonders of local lakes with in-depth nature explorations at multiple park locations.
• Homeschool Science – Vertebrate Classification at Huntley Meadows Park: Learn about animal classification through interactive sessions on vertebrates.
• Homeschool Science – Introduction to Ornithology at Huntley Meadows Park: Explore the fascinating world of birds in this introductory course on ornithology.

Animal Care & Veterinary Science

• Homeschool Animal Vets at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park: Tailored for young animal lovers, this program introduces children to basic veterinary skills and animal care in a hands-on environment.

Fairfax County parks provide a perfect blend of education and adventure, making learning a memorable experience for your homeschooler. Whether they're interested in science, nature exploration or wilderness skills, these programs offer the chance to learn, grow and thrive in a dynamic outdoor setting.

Spend a morning filled with wonder and laughter during an entertaining magic show performed by The Great Zucchini! This popular children’s entertainer is bringing his fun and energetic show to Frying Pan Farm Park on Thursday, Sept. 5.

This interactive magic show is perfect for children as The Great Zucchini incorporates many hands-on elements in his performances. Watch your kids yell, “Wake up, Zucchini!” with enthusiasm as he pretends to fall asleep or call after Ruffles, Zucchini’s trusty puppet rabbit, as he pops in and out of Zucchini’s hat. Coupled with his comedic routine, The Great Zucchini is a must-see show this fall.

With many tricks up his sleeve, The Great Zucchini carries over 25 years of experience bringing magic, comedy and excitement to families in the area. His family-friendly shows leave audiences in complete awe as he conducts magic that makes the crowds wonder, “How does he do it?”

There will be two performances starting at 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. in the Visitor Center auditorium at Frying Pan Farm Park. Tickets are $10 per person. 

Purchase tickets to see The Great Zucchini

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

Kick off the fall season by exploring everything that your neighborhood Rec Center has to offer. Come discover new opportunities to improve your wellbeing and forge new connections with your community by participating at the Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Center Open House event on Monday, Sept. 9. Tour facilities and try out the amenities all day long for free. Come to any Rec Center between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy special programs and activities.

Come find your community connections at Park Authority Rec Centers by participating in drop-in fitness classes, connecting with a workout buddy. Enjoy lap swimming in our spacious pools or unwind in the spa or sauna. Also, learn about Rec Center personal training packages tailor-made to help you achieve your personal fitness goals.

During the Rec Center Open House, visit the membership table for giveaways, and participate in fun activities, such as fall-themed arts and crafts for the kids. Check out each Rec Center website for specific information on special programming. Here are just a few examples of what to look forward to:

• Franconia Rec Center: Free carousel rides, Our Special Harbor spray park, a raffle and shallow water exercise demonstrations at Franconia Rec Center (6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria).
• Providence Rec Center: S’mores, popcorn and cotton candy, pool games, an art walk, numerous fitness information stations, sample swim lessons and karate demonstrations at Providence Rec Center (7525 Marc Drive, Falls Church).
• South Run Rec Center: Cornhole, table tennis, pool games and a kid’s sports challenge with free prizes at South Run Rec Center (7550 Reservation Drive, Springfield)

View the Rec Center Open House flyer

September Annual Membership Sale

From Sept. 1 to 30, join or renew your annual Rec Center membership and take advantage of a 15% discount. One price gets you entry into all Park Authority rec centers located across Fairfax County. There are no initiation fees or annual dues. Memberships can be purchased in person at any of the rec centers or the Rec Center passes webpage.

View the Rec Center Membership Sale flyer

School may have gotten off to an early start, but there’s still time to celebrate a true summer send-off with a family-friendly double feature at Starlight Cinemas on Saturday, Aug.24 at the Sully Historic Site. Bring your family, friends and neighbors to Sully Historic Site for the amazingly entertaining circus stunts and marionette puppetry of Geoff Marsh followed by an outdoor double feature of “Elemental” and “Migration.”

The Starlight Cinema gates open at 6 p.m. Opening children’s entertainment begins at 7 p.m. with performances featuring music, magic. comedy and puppetry. The evening’s feature films will begin at dark. Watch from your cars or on the lawn in front of the screen. Admission to the performance and double feature is free. Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly.

Movies are held outdoors and are subject to cancellation in case of inclement weather. Call 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour before the start of pre-movie entertainment for rain cancellations.

Learn more about the Starlight Cinema and other performances being held throughout the summer by visiting the Summer Entertainment Series website.

The Summer Entertainment Series performances are provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers that contribute to the success of these entertainment series. For a complete list of this year’s Summer Entertainment Series supporters, please visit the Summer Entertainment Series website.

The Summer Entertainment Series is sponsored by 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repairing the basketball courts at Groveton Heights Park and Centre Ridge North Park. Construction is expected to begin this week, and weather permitting, take approximately three weeks to complete. Both parks will remain open during the construction, but residents should expect occasional disruptions along the trail at Centre Ridge North Park, which may temporarily affect playground access. Park staff and the contractor will work to minimize any disruptions.

The basketball court improvements at both locations will include installation of new goals, crack repairs, power washing, a 2-inch overlay on the asphalt and new court. Questions regarding this project can be directed to Project Manager Marcos Suarez by calling 571-595-2762 or emailing Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Residents are encouraged to use the Park Amenity Locator to identify alternative courts to use during the construction.

Groveton Heights Park is located at 3429 Clayborne Ave. in Alexandria and Centre Ridge North Park is located at the intersection of Field Encampment Road and St. Germain Drive in Centreville.

For additional information please contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Cub Run Rec Center was awarded First Place at the 2024 ASHRAE Region III Technology Awards, in the Public Assembly Facilities category, for recent facility improvements, which significantly reduced the building’s energy consumption. ASHRAE’s Technology Awards recognize outstanding achievements by members who have successfully applied innovative building design in the areas of occupant comfort, indoor air quality and energy conservation.

The projects at Cub Run Rec Center, completed in November 2022, included an upgraded pool heat recovery system to more efficiently heat water and building automation system optimization to save energy and reduce peak electric demand. Both projects were undertaken as the previous systems had reached the end of their useful lifespan, and the Park Authority intentionally sought to replace previous systems with sustainable and energy efficient technologies. As a result, the Cub Run Rec Center experienced a 60% reduction in total energy usage and approximately $316,000 of avoided energy costs during the first year of operation.

“The preservation and conservation of natural resources is a key component of the Park Authority’s mission – making these types of capital projects a natural fit for our facilities,” Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole remarked. “As the county’s largest landowner, we are proud to demonstrate energy efficient practices to show that they do, in fact, make a difference both to the environment and to the bottom line. This smart, successful approach to facility improvements is something that we are replicating at Park Authority facilities across the county as systems reach the end of their useful life and require replacement.” 

Through these efforts, the Park Authority is also contributing to the energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals established in Fairfax County’s Operational Energy Strategy.

ASHRAE is a global society advancing wellbeing through sustainable technology for the build environment. The Society and its members focus on building systems, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, refrigeration and sustainability within the industry. As a recipient of this regional award, the Cub Run Project is eligible for a Society-level award to be announced in early 2025.

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