Park Authority

What better way to celebrate these hot, “dog days” of summer than with your canine bestie? The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomes dogs and their owners to explore its dog parks, classes, events and miles of trails. Grab a leash (and a waste bag or two) and embark on a memorable outdoor adventure with your furry friend.

Let Loose at a Dog Park

FCPA operates 11 dog parks where dogs can enjoy some playtime off the leash. These safe, enclosed spaces provide a perfect opportunity for dogs to exercise, socialize and enjoy the season. Owners can bond with their dogs and make new friends. Find a dog park near you!

Splash Into Dog Daze

Water-loving pups will have a blast at the Dog Daze event. Hosted at The Water Mine, this season-ending event benefits parks through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Dogs can splash and swim through the water park.

Register for Dog Daze

Jump Into Classes

Form a deeper connection with your canine by signing up for a dog class. Expert instructors are ready to guide you through these training and bonding opportunities. Whether you have a new pup or want to brush up on introductory skills, or you’re looking to join an advanced training program, or you want to have some fun picking up new skills— FCPA offers something for every breed. Jump into dog programs today!

Register your dog for a class

Hit the Trails

Explore the scenery and hit the trails this summer. FCPA offers more than 334 miles of amazing trails to explore with your pooch. Trails offer the perfect opportunity to get into some shade and experience Fairfax County parks. Use the Trail Buddy search to find a trail nearest to you!

Golf Fairfax is excited to announce that the Golf Range Flex Pass is now available at Twin Lakes Golf Course. The pass offers golfers a convenient and cost-effective way to enjoy the driving range.

Use the Range Flex Pass to save 35% on 40 range ball bucket pricing. It also eliminates the need for golfers to visit the pro shop at every visit. Golfers can simply scan their card at the dispenser to fill range ball buckets until they need to reload value on the card.

"The Range Flex Pass is a game-changer for our golfers. Twin Lakes range completes the phased implementation of transitioning the ranges to this upgraded technology, which we started earlier this year at Oakmont Golf Center,” said Ryan Carmen, Golf Division director. “The new system provides a seamless experience and exceptional value, allowing golfers to focus more on their game and less on logistics.”

Key Benefits:

• Purchase $100 increments (up to $300) at range pro shop
• Redeem and check balance at the ball dispenser
• No need to visit the pro shop until you need to reload
• The Range Flex Pass works at Oakmont, Burke Lake and Twin Lakes ranges

All driving ranges are accompanied by putting and chipping greens for short game work and are open year-round. For more information, visit the Golf website.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority and Friends of Lake Accotink Park for a free day of family fun at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Celebrate summer with free amusements, boat rentals, hikes, mini golf, face painting, history activities and more! Come explore Lake Accotink’s beautiful streams, lake and trails during this free one-day event!

Schedule of Events:

• Boat Rentals: 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Carousel: 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Mini Golf: 11 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Face Painting: 11:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• History Activity Pavilion: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Nature Activities: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Pollinator Garden Tours: 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Activities are free for all participants and will be operated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

For more information about Lake Accotink Park Celebration Day, visit the Lake Accotink Park website or call 703-569-3464. Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, Virginia.

The Friends of Lake Accotink Park is a certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to encourage an active interest in promoting cultural and natural resource stewardship, activities and projects, as well as to promote recreational opportunities at Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia. For more information, please visit the Friends of Lake Accotink Park website.

Enjoy some old-fashioned family fun at the Fairfax County 4-H Fair and Carnival – returning Aug. 1-4 to Frying Pan Farm Park. Enjoy carnival games and rides, tractor demos, fair food, farm animals, 4-H exhibits and shows, and live entertainment. Fair and Carnival Hours are as follows:

Thursday, Aug. 1:

• Carnival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 2:

• Carnival: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 5-8 p.m.
• Big Truck Night: 5-7 p.m.
• $10 parking fee starts at 4 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 3:

• 4-H Opening Ceremony: 10 a.m.
• Carnival: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• 4-H Exhibits, Activities and Farm Demos: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• $10 parking fee

Sunday, Aug. 4:

• Carnival: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
• 4-H Exhibits, Activities and Farm Demos: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• 4-H Closing Ceremony: 4 p.m.

A $10 parking fee applies on Friday (after 4 p.m.) and all day on Saturday and Sunday. Cash and credit are accepted.

Carnival rides require tickets which can be purchased online or onsite. Unlimited ride wristbands for Thursday and Friday are available for purchase - $20 per person (prepay online), or $25 per person at the gate between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wristbands are good for one day. Please note that an additional convenience fee will be applied to credit/debit transactions. For ticketing details, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority's 4-H website.

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

To learn more about the Virginia Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program, visit Fairfax County’s 4-H website.  

Fairfax County’s Annual 4-H Fair and Carnival is provided each year through a partnership with the Fairfax County Park Authority, Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, the Fairfax County Office of Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the installation of a new pavilion shelter at Eakin Community Park. Contractors will mobilize on site with active construction activities scheduled to begin in late July 2024. Weather depending, active construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of fall 2024.

The park will remain open, but a portion of the parking lot will be closed for the duration of the work. The park’s other parking lot, located at Tobin Road, will not be affected by this project. Residents should expect occasional construction traffic entering and exiting Eakin park along Prosperity Avenue.

Eakin Park is located at 3401 Prosperity Avenue, in Fairfax. Questions regarding this project can be directed to Doug Tipsword at doug.tipsword@fairfaxcounty.gov or the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or via Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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This improvement project was funded in part through a monetary gift from the Eakin Family in excess of $280,000 to the Fairfax County Park Foundation. 

The Fairfax County Park Foundation supports the Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet community needs for park land, facilities and services. In the spirit of the One Fairfax Policy racial and social equity policy, voluntary contributions help ensure that all residents can access and enjoy Fairfax County’s 420 parks and enriching programs. For more information about the Park Foundation, Visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website.

Laurel Hill Golf Club is one of the best public golf courses in the state, but don’t just take Golf Fairfax’s word for it! Golfweek has announced the top public-access courses in every state, and Laurel Hill is ranked 12th in Virginia.

Built in 2005 and designed by notable golf course designer Bill Love, Laurel Hill is an impressive 18-hole course on land that formerly housed the D.C. Department of Corrections facility at Lorton. Paying homage to the early architects of American golf, Love's objective was to let the natural beauty of the property dictate the character of the course.

Laurel Hill provides premiere amenities for golfers of any skill level. Laurel Hill features an 18-hole course, putting greens, driving range and the recently added Eisman Performance Center, a teaching facility that utilizes Trackman technology and artificial intelligence to analyze swing patterns and performance. The indoor/outdoor performance facility is available during private and group lessons to help all golfers take their game to the next level.

When they’re not on the greens or practicing their swing, golfers can enjoy other amenities within the Laurel Hill Clubhouse, including the full-scale Tower Grill restaurant for food and drinks, and banquet rooms suitable for hosting golf outings, special events, weddings and parties.

Book your tee time today at one of the best public courses in Virginia!

Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Crest Drive in Lorton, Virginia. To learn more about all of the Golf Fairfax courses, visit the Golf website.

Golfweek is one of the most well-known golf magazines that covers all aspects of the game, from players to tournament to courses. Every year Golfweek ranks public and private courses across the country, giving the selected courses nationwide recognition and admiration.

Golf Fairfax is celebrating Family Golf Month this August. Golf Fairfax is happy to provide environments and experiences where golfers can spend quality time with their loved ones on the greens this August. We are also committed to the development of junior golfers by providing an introduction to the game for beginners and encouraging the continued growth of experienced players and fostering a love of the game.

Tee off together during Family Golf Month with great promotions for junior golfers that the whole family can enjoy:

• Kids and teens play free! With the purchase of an adult 9-hole round, earn a free round for your junior golfer. Valid at Burke Lake, Jefferson, Oakmont and Pinecrest golf courses for junior golfers up to age 17. This offer is available Monday through Friday all day and after 1 p.m. on weekends during the month of August. Limited to one child per paying adult.
• Junior discounts at the range! Junior golfers get one free small bucket of balls with the purchase of any other sized bucket at Burke Lake and Oakmont golf centers. Limit one per day. Voted in the nation’s top 50 public ranges by GRAA (Golf Range Association of America), both golf courses feature double-decker ranges, with state-of-the-art LED lighting and updated range mats and targets. Practice your swing and perfect your skills in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere with a variety of food and beverage options available.

The Fairfax County Park Authority owns and operates seven golf courses throughout Fairfax County. For more information about Family Golf and Junior Golf Fairfax, visit the Junior Golf Fairfax webpage.

Junior golfers are invited to showcase their skills, compete and have fun in the Junior Club Championships at Pinecrest Golf Course and Burke Lake Golf Center.

• Aug. 4 at 8 a.m. - Junior Club Championship at Pinecrest Golf Course: Junior golfers compete in a 9-hole individual stroke tournament across three age divisions: 7-10, 11-13 and 14-17. Prizes awarded for first, second and third place in each division and closest to the pin. Limited to the first 48 athletes to register. Cost is $45 per player, including lunch and push carts.
• Aug. 10 at 8 a.m. - Junior Club Championship at Burke Lake Golf Center: Junior golfers compete in an 18-hole individual stroke play format divided into three age divisions – 10-11, 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17. Prizes awarded to the champion of each flight and the closest to each pin. Parents are welcome to walk with or caddy for their junior golfer. Cost is $45 per player, which includes lunch, complimentary range balls and a pushcart.

The Fairfax County Park Authority owns and operates seven golf courses throughout the county. To learn more about Golf Fairfax tournaments and special events, visit the Park Authority Golf tournament webpage.

Fairfax County Park Authority introduces another season of Starlight Cinema. Come enjoy this outdoor movie series with feature films for the entire family as well as pre-movie entertainment. Pack your picnics, blankets and chairs, and head out to enjoy movies under the stars — for free — all month long this August.

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 film will begin at dark. Watch from your cars or on the lawn in front of the screen.

This year, the Starlight Cinema Series will be held at Sully Historic Site at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly. This year’s performances will include:

• Aug. 3: The Uncle Devin Show and "Migration"
• Aug. 10: The Great Zucchini and "Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie"
• Aug. 17: Mr. Gabe and Friends and "Wish"
• Aug. 24: Geoff Marsh and "Elemental"

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.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority's Farmers Markets as we proudly participate in National Farmers Market Week from Aug. 4 to 10. Farmers Market Week will be celebrated at all 10 Market locations and will include a recipe swap and free reusable bags - perfect for your fresh finds!

National Farmers Market Week, led by the Farmers Market Coalition, honors the invaluable contributions of our local farmers and food producers, promoting community engagement and supporting our local economy. The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts 10 farmers markets at locations throughout the county, so there are plenty of opportunities to participate at a market near you!

In addition to great produce, breads, herbs, coffee and many other treats, select Park Authority Farmers Markets offer additional benefits for families eligible for SNAP.

Visit the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon, Annandale, Reston, Wakefield and Lorton Farmers Markets to receive up to $40 of additional fruits and vegetables for free. Simply visit the SNAP information tent at these markets, swipe your EBT card for tokens, and use them like cash at the market. Tokens never expire, so you can savor the goodness all season long.

Also, don’t miss this opportunity to compost your food scraps at all Park Authority Farmers Market locations. Food scrap collection is available at all 10 markets and is a great way to put your scraps to good use. By dropping off your weeks’ worth of scraps at a local Fairfax County Farmers Market, you are reducing landfill waste, while also contributing to richer, more nutrient dense soil for agricultural and landscaping purposes. 

To discover more about Farmers Market Week, market hours and locations, composting opportunities, and SNAP benefits, visit the Farmers Market website.