Park Authority

Bring your best canine friend for some dogs-only swimming fun at The Water Mine during Dog Daze on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This waterpark will be open just to dogs for an end-of-the-season celebration.

During this popular event, dogs can play, swim and enjoy the waterpark. Their human friends can enjoy a canine resource fair with pet-related vendors and information about more fun opportunities for dogs across the county.

For the safety of all dogs and people at the event, please adhere to these rules:

• All dogs must be updated on their vaccinations.
• All dog handlers must be 18 years or older and must supervise their dog at all times.
• No female dogs in heat or puppies younger than 3 months.
• Aggressive or unruly dogs are not permitted.
• Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
• Dogs swim at owners’ risk.
• Humans are not permitted in the pool.

Entry costs $10 per dog, and all proceeds go to benefit parks through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. To learn more about FCPA’s dog-focused activities and events, visit the Dogs of Fairfax County website.

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, Virginia. For more information, visit The Water Mine website.

Dog Daze is presented by Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Register for Dog Daze

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.

Step onto the green and compete in one of Golf Fairfax’s Club Championship tournaments. With fun prizes and friendly competition, these tournaments give players an exciting platform to showcase their skills and the opportunity to be crowned the best in their division.

Club Championship on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Jefferson District Park and Golf Course. Golfers 18 and older compete in an 18-hole stroke play tournament. Players are placed into flights based on their first 9-hole score. Cost is $55 per player.

PC9 Championship on Sunday, Sept. 8 at Pinecrest Golf Course. Players 13 and older compete in a 9-hole stroke play tournament. There will be two divisions: men and women. Prizes awarded for first, second, third and closest to the pin. Registration is limited to the first 48 players. Cost is $55 per player, with lunch and carts included.

Club Championship on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Oakmont Golf Center. Participants aged 12 years and older compete in an 18-hole stroke play tournament. Prizes awarded for first, second, third and closest to the pin. Tee times will be assigned two days before the event. Cost is $45 per player.

Club Championship on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Burke Lake Golf Center. Golfers 14 and older play in an 18-hole individual stroke play tournament with a tee time start. There will be three divisions: men, women and seniors. Prizes for first place in all divisions and closest to the pin. Cost is $60 per player, including lunch, complimentary range balls and a pushcart.

To register for upcoming golf events, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority Golf’s tournament webpage.

This fall, the Family Skate and Dance Nights at Franconia Rec Center will feature a lively schedule. Skaters of all ages will enjoy the festive themes, tasty food and fun music of these skate nights hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Join the fun and break out your quad skates, inline skates or dancing shoes (bring your own skates/footwear) and take a spin around Franconia Rec Center’s gym floor. Each skate night includes music from a guest DJ, as well as food, snacks and drinks available for purchase (Please note that outside food/drink is not permitted). Tickets for everyone (skaters, dancers, spectators and chaperones) cost $10 and can be purchased in advance online. Or you buy them at the door for $15.

Bring your friends, family and best skating partners out for a groovy time!

• Aug. 17: Back to School Flashback to the 90s and 00s (6-9 p.m.)
• Sept. 21: Come on Skaters, Let’s Go Party! (BarbieTM themed) (6-9 p.m.)
• Oct. 26: Halloween Costume Party (6-10 p.m.)
• Nov. 16: Franconia Hold ‘Em Skate and Dance Night (Country Night) (6-9 p.m.)
• Dec. 21: Holiday and Ugly Sweater Skate and Dance Night (6-9 p.m.)

Register for Family Skate Night

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road in Alexandria. Visit the Franconia Rec Center website for more information and to stay up to date on future skate nights and other events at the Rec Center.

Host your very own private skate night to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries or other occasions at the Franconia Rec Center gym. Call 703-922-9841 to inquire.

On Friday, Aug. 2, the Fairfax County Park Authority, Mount Vernon District Supervisor Dan Storck and members of the Villamay community held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate a new swing set at Gilbert S. McCutcheon Park.

The swing set has been a part of the vision for the park for more than 20 years. The Villamay Community Association spearheaded fundraising for the playground, raising $23,000 toward the total cost of the project in 2004. These funds were matched with two Mastenbrook Grants each for $10,000, but due to limited funding, the project scope did not initially include swings. However recently, having never lost sight of the original vision for the park, the community came together once again and raised $13,000 in just a year to add a swing set to the park. These funds were matched with a Mastenbrook Grant in 2023 and the $26,000 project was completed in July 2024.

“This new swing set is a shining example of what the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program is all about,” said Park Authority Board Member Linwood Gorham during his remarks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Thanks to the collaboration between the Villamay Community Association, the Fairfax County Park Foundation and the Park Authority’s Mastenbrook Grant Program, Gilbert S. McCutcheon Park now has a two-bay set of swings, which include both standard belt-seat model swings and a two-seat “expression swing” for a parent and child, where the adult and child are comfortably seated face-to-face at eye level with one another. This unique design promotes intergenerational play and fosters social connection.

“Fairfax County Parks play a critical role in our everyday lives – physical and emotional wellbeing, social connections and sense of community, and most importantly, an opportunity to spend time with family,” Supervisor Storck said. “While it may appear to be ‘just a swing set,’ what this represents is more time that children and families can spend in the park. It’s another opportunity to extend the fun, to spend just a little more time together outdoors.”

Gilbert S. McCutcheon Park is located at 7509 Fort Hunt Road in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repairing the basketball courts at Fitzhugh Park and Brookfield Park. 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 coloring. Contractors are scheduled to mobilize onsite this week, and weather permitting, active construction is anticipated to be completed in two to three weeks. Both parks will remain open during construction.

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

Fitzhugh Park is located at 4966 Americana Drive, Annandale. Brookfield Park is located at 7417 Floyd Ave. in Springfield.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to Project Manager Marcos Suarez by calling 571-595-2762 or emailing Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov. You can also contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repairs to the marina parking lot at Burke Lake Park. TMG and Southern Asphalt contractors will mobilize on site, with active construction activities scheduled to begin the third week of August. Weather permitting, active construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of September 2024.

Burke Lake Park will remain open during construction, but residents should expect partial parking lot closures that may impact the boat launch area on weekdays. During weekends, the full parking lot will be available.

Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. You can find more information by visiting the Burke Lake Park website or by calling 703-323-6600.

Questions regarding the repair project can be directed to Isabel Villarroel at Isabel.Villarroel@fairfaxcounty.gov, or the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or via Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Whether you want to perfect your game, play a round with friends, get out on the range, or all of the above, Golf Fairfax is here to help you celebrate National Golf Month this August! With discounts and deals happening across all seven golf courses, golfers can enjoy the amenities offered on the fairways, ranges and putting greens across the county.

Here are some ways that you can celebrate National Golf Month with Golf Fairfax this August:

Kids play a free round at Burke Lake Golf Center, Jefferson District Course, Oakmont Golf Center or Pinecrest Golf Course! Accompanied by a paying adult, kids and teens ages 5-17 will be able to play for free. Perfect for bringing the whole family out on the fairways for an eventful round. Valid Monday through Friday all day and weekends after 1 p.m. Limited to one child per paying adult. Learn more.

I Love Golf Fairfax photo contest – Grab your clubs and your cell phone for a chance to win tickets for the 2024 Solheim Cup in Gainesville, Virginia! Capture your best golf moments at any of the seven Fairfax County Park Authority golf course between Aug. 5-20 and submit your photo online. Learn more.

Unlock even more golf with the Range Flex Pass! Use this new pass to enjoy the driving ranges at Burke Lake, Oakmont Golf and Twin Lakes. Golfers load value onto their cards and redeem it for a 35% discount off the 40-range ball bucket pricing. Skip the weekly visits to the pro shop! Scan your card at the dispenser and hit balls until you need to reload with this cost-effective new pass! Learn more.

Play fore the glory at one of Golf Fairfax’s upcoming Club Championship tournaments. Whether you want to engage in some friendly competition or are in it for the prizes, there are tournaments available for all ages and skill levels. Learn more.

Elevate your game with private lessons from PGA, LPGA and USGTF professionals who are ready to help you take your game to the next level. Register for small group classes at Burke Lake and Pinecrest. Private lessons are also available at Pinecrest, Burke Lake, Oakmont, Twin Lakes and Laurel Hill. Whether you’re a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Golf Fairfax has you covered. Learn more.

To learn more about National Golf Month and ways to celebrate with Golf Fairfax, visit the Golf Fairfax website.

The I Love Golf Fairfax Photo Contest is happening now through Aug. 20 across all Golf Fairfax courses! The Fairfax County Park Authority is giving away tickets to the 2024 Solheim Cup and invites all golf enthusiasts to take their best “shot” at any Golf Fairfax course for a chance to win.

Take a photo of your experience at one of the seven Golf Fairfax courses, submit your photo and a 1-2 sentence caption of why you love to golf with Golf Fairfax! This contest is open to golfers of any skill level. Whether you are amateur or a professional, if you love Golf Fairfax, this contest is for you!

There are two contest divisions, one for adults (18+) and one for juniors (17 and under). Each winner receives a complimentary weekday ticket for themselves and a friend to the Solheim Cup. The junior winner will receive one junior ticket and one adult ticket. Winners will be randomly selected. Please note that participants are only eligible to win one of the drawings.

This year, the Solheim Cup is taking place in Gainesville, Virginia, on Sept. 10-15. The Solheim Cup is a women’s professional golf tournament that occurs every two years and includes the top competitors from Europe and the United States. It has grown to become one of the most coveted trophies in women’s professional golf.

For information, please visit the I Love Golf Fairfax Photo Contest website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority was awarded the Virginia Plan of the Year Award by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA) for the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access (PROSA) Strategy. This award honors the best planning document of the year, and recognizes outstanding planning processes, vision, implementation strategies and innovative approaches.

“With the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Access Strategy, we’re taking park planning to a whole new level in Fairfax County,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “This process provides a roadmap for improved and walkable park access, while emphasizing equity and balancing a variety of recreational experiences with researched habitat connectivity. This means greater access to more diverse park experiences for our residents of all ages to enjoy and explore.”

The PROSA Strategy is a data-driven, systems approach to park access and recreation that incorporates equity holistically in park planning. This strategy informs FCPA decision-making and provides a path forward for prioritizing projects and park investments with an equity lens to ensure that all Fairfax County communities have walkable access to parks and a balance of recreational experiences.

“FCPA's PROSA Strategy is a shining example of how thoughtful planning and inclusive community engagement can lead to substantial improvements in public spaces and overall community well-being,” said the Virginia Chapter of the APA. “This award underscores FCPA's leadership in advancing equitable access to parks and recreational facilities, setting a benchmark for park planning across the state of Virginia.”

The APA’s Virginia Awards Program is an annual statewide awards program that recognizes standout individual planning professionals, superior planning efforts, great places and exceptional student work throughout the Commonwealth.

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

“The power of partnerships to drive positive change”

The Great Outdoors Fund is proud to announce a partnership with Volkswagen Group of America to build a new combination basketball/futsal court near the company’s new North American headquarters in Reston at Stratton Woods Park. The new dual-purpose court will deliver an improved basketball court combined with a new futsal venue and enhance the diversity of activities available at this vibrant community park.

Outdoor recreation is more than just a pastime -- it's a cornerstone of physical and mental wellbeing, nurturing environmental stewards. It drives economic growth.

This partnership will see The Great Outdoors Fund and Volkswagen Group of America team up with Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) to address the pressing need to modernize recreation infrastructure for our growing and diversifying population.

The project in Stratton Woods Park responds to the increasing demand for futsal courts while actioning recommendations from FCPA’s futsal court analysis. In this case, it will see the repurposing of a highly utilized space to meet the ever-evolving needs of a wide range of community recreationists.

"We believe in the power of partnerships to drive positive change," said Lori McCullough, founder & CEO of The Great Outdoors Fund. "Through our partnership with Volkswagen Group of America, we're not just transforming a basketball court and adapting it for multiple uses – we're investing in the health and vitality of our society."

“This partnership with The Great Outdoors Fund exemplifies Volkswagen Group of America’s values in taking responsibility for society” said Pablo Di Si, president & CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “It also complements all the soccer programs Volkswagen supports like our presenting partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation.”

Working together with FCPA, The Great Outdoors Fund will lead project management and outreach efforts. The project is set to deliver tangible benefits for the community and park users while promoting environmental stewardship; made possible thanks to Reston’s new neighbor and good corporate citizen, Volkswagen Group of America.

"We're ecstatic to collaborate with The Great Outdoors Fund and Volkswagen to bring this project to fruition," said Jai Cole, executive director, Fairfax County Park Authority. "The Park Authority is dedicated to expanding and improving diverse recreational opportunities for all residents.”

The renovation project is slated to commence immediately, with completion expected in the fall. A ribbon-cutting celebration will mark the culmination of this transformative public-private partnership in October 2024.