Park Authority

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards, recognizing exceptional service and contributions to the county’s parks, natural and cultural resources and recreational opportunities.

The awardees will be honored during a recognition ceremony this October sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Established in 1988, the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards honor the legacy of Ellamae "Elly" Doyle, whose leadership as a member and chairman of the Park Authority Board helped expand the park system, preserve open space and enhance recreational facilities across Fairfax County.

This year’s honorees were selected for their dedication, volunteerism and commitment to protecting the county’s natural, cultural and historic resources. Awards are presented in five Fairfax County Park Authority categories, along with three Eakin Awards from the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

The Elly Doyle Park Service Awards will go to:

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends Core Volunteers: Volunteers created popular community events and evolved them into community institutions, such as Park and Bark and Parktoberfest. They have awarded and sponsored field trips to The Woodlands and sponsored summer campers as well, increasing awareness and access to environmental education as part of the site’s mission.

Susan Voss: Voss has been actively involved with FCPA and Green Spring Gardens for more than 30 years in multiple active roles. She is an engaged and proactive leader, who continually works to sustain, enrich, and ensure the gardens remain vibrant, attractive and welcoming to all visitors.

Elly Doyle Special Recognition Awards

Ed Robichaud: Robichaud serves as a docent for the historic Kidwell House, providing tours with historical and interpretive information. He also drives guided wagon rides for visitors of all ages, including field trips and special events.

Lassine Doumbia Fakoli: Since 2007, Lassine has served as the lead volunteer and host for the Ossian Hall Park Spotlight by Starlight Summer Concert Series in Annandale. With a passion for education, nature and the park system, he has played an integral role in creating a welcoming and enjoyable experience for performers and guests alike.

Youth Award

Ariana Blake: Ariana is the President of Fairfax County 4-H and helped plan and lead various activities at the 4-H Fair held at Frying Pan Farm Park last August, including setting up the fair exhibit barn, training fair superintendents, assisting the judges as a fair superintendent and emceeing the Fair opening ceremony. Through her involvement in 4-H, Ariana has been volunteering at the Fair held at Frying Pan Farm Park since 2017 and has supported numerous other events, including Harvest Days, Halloween on the Farm, Holidays on the Farm and Spring Farm Day.

Juliet Phillips: Juliet has demonstrated leadership in participating in a number of site stewardship projects around Hidden Oaks Nature Center to help protect natural and cultural resources. For example, she helped repair and restore our model of a Woodland Indian Scarecrow hut and designed and built a snake exercise board, which is used in programs to show how our snake ambassador animals can move and climb.

Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award

Maureen Doherty: Doherty has been an Adapted Aquatics volunteer at South Run Rec Center since 2019 and has given a total of nearly 600 hours of volunteer time to this program. She promotes diversity, equity and inclusion through her longstanding commitment to helping children, teens and adults with intellectual, developmental, learning, physical, or other disabilities learn how to swim.

Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award

Rob Hahne (posthumously): Former Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Travel Baseball League, Hahne, known throughout the community as “Mr. Baseball,” served on the Fairfax County Athletic Council for 16 years, the Sports Tourism Task Force, and the Visit Fairfax Board, among other organizations. His contributions to Fairfax County spanned decades and left a lasting imprint on parks, athletics and the broader community. His advocacy was instrumental in the creation of Patriot Park North baseball complex and driving tournament activity to the facility. He provided experienced, consistent guidance to the Park Authority on how the agency could best serve athletic programs countywide.

Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award

Lauren Crum and Shelley Deutch: Co-Chairs of the Greater Oakton Community Association, Crum and Deutch have contributed to preservation and stewardship in Fairfax County by assisting with the management and stewardship of Oakton Schoolhouse to establish a meeting place -- seeking and collecting historical furnishings to create a “living history” museum at the schoolhouse. They delivered historical presentations and created educational programming.

Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award

Margaret Fisher: An environmental steward, Fisher has educated and inspired others across Fairfax County to restore vital habitats across public and private lands. Her work promoting native plants, removing invasives and rescuing trees have made a lasting impact over her 20 years of volunteerism and leadership. Fisher’s contributions and many roles include serving as a stream monitor at Popes Head Creek, an IMA site leader, and an active volunteer with Plant NOVA Natives, Plant NOVA Trees and the Tree Rescuers program, which has led to the rescue of at least 22,000 trees.

Chairman’s Choice Awards

Kiel Stone: Former Chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, Stone served on the Park Authority Board (2017-2025) as the Braddock District Representative and as the youngest board chairman in Park Authority history. He championed recreation and environmental projects and policies that advance the quality of life for Fairfax County residents.

Chris Leonard: Former Deputy County Executive for Health, Housing and Human Services, Leonard served Fairfax County for more than two decades and recently retired as Deputy Director for Health, Housing and Human Services. He began his career with the county as a budget analyst in 1999 and was appointed deputy director and later appointed acting director of the former Department of Community and Recreation Services (CRS). Prior to being appointed deputy county executive, he led the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

Harry Glasgow (posthumously): Environmental steward and parks advocate, Glasgow was a devoted environmental steward and advocate for protecting our natural world. He served as a member of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board (2005-2012), Fairfax County Park Foundation Board (2013-2026), the Fairfax Chesapeake Bay Exceptions Committee (2003-2012), and the Fairfax County Tree Commission (chair since 2008). He was a member of Friends of Huntley Meadows Park (since 1990), multiple Fairfax County "Friends" groups and the Prince William Conservation Alliance (since 2009), and he chaired the Alliance Conservation Committee.

Eakin Philanthropy Awards (Presented by the Fairfax County Park Foundation)

Judith (Judy) Ann Bailey (posthumously): Bailey’s Legacy Circle gift supported the Animal Attraction and Observation Area at the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. During her lifetime, she enjoyed bird and nature walks and photography at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly.

Giant Food: Giant Food has provided long-standing support via FCPF for Golf Fairfax, Healthy Strides, and other FCPA programs. Its impactful contributions include an annual donation of gift cards to the Park Foundation and providing food and drinks for hundreds of participants of FCPA’s Healthy Strides 5K/10K race.

Gilbert McCutcheon Park Volunteer Team: For the past 23 years, neighbors participated in the FCPA Adopt-a-Park program and are now an official FCPA Park Volunteer Team to help Gilbert McCutcheon Park continue as a treasured focal point for community activities and events. The team raised funds for a playground, swings, beautification and other enhancements at McCutcheon Park.

Olmi Family Foundation: The Olmi Foundation donated land and supported significant improvements at Fort Willard Historic Site. Their generous gift will fund an archeological study to confirm location and condition of Fort structures and to enhance access to educational opportunities at the site. The family also designated a portion of the Family’s funding for Essential Operations to help where needed most to sustain the FCPF’s mission of enriching Fairfax County parks.

About Fairfax County Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority enriches the quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences and promotes healthy lifestyles. 

About the Fairfax County Park Foundation

The Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, securing grants, and building partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet the community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services. Visit the foundation’s website or call 703-324-8582 for more information.

Golf Fairfax is excited to once again partner with the Virginia State Golf Association to bring adaptive golf programming to Burke Lake Golf Center this fall. Adaptive Golf Clinics begin at Burke Lake this week and run through early October, giving golfers with disabilities the opportunity to build skills and confidence in a supportive, inclusive environment. Golfers can then take what they’ve learned from the clinics onto the course during the Adaptive Golf Play Day in October.

VSGA Adaptive Golf programs provide golfers with disabilities opportunities to learn, develop their skills and connect with other golfers in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Programs are designed for players of all abilities and may incorporate both standard and adaptive equipment to support each golfer’s individual needs.

Join us for the Adaptive Golf Play Day on Friday, Oct. 16 at Burke Lake Golf Center, for an on-course experience designed for golfers with disabilities. The Adaptive Golf Play Day offers a supportive environment, where players can transition their skills from the clinics to the course, enjoy camaraderie with fellow golfers and continue developing their game.

The Play Day is open to golfers of all abilities and costs $20 per player. Golfers can register by visiting the Golf tournaments webpage.

All course ready golfers with disabilities are welcome, including those with physical, cognitive or other disabilities.

Burke Lake Golf Center is located at 6915 Ox Road, Fairfax Station. For more information, visit the Burke Lake Golf Center website or call 703-323-1641.

Golf Fairfax is committed to creating enriching experiences for all golfers, including those with disabilities. For questions about accessibility, please visit the Recreation Services for Customers with Disabilities website.

This fall, select bunkers at Greendale Golf Course and Burke Lake Golf Center will be rebuilt using the Better Billy Bunker construction system. These improvements will enhance playing conditions, improve drainage, reduce washouts after heavy rain and create a cleaner, more consistent appearance across both courses. Golfers can also expect longer lasting sand and an overall improved experience on the course.

Construction started on Sept. 9 at Greendale and will start Oct. 19 at Burke Lake. Both courses will still be open and playable with special discounts, but golfers can expect minor changes to the golf routes and some construction noise and equipment around the work areas.

Project Timelines and Impacts

Greendale Golf Course

• Project Dates: Sept. 9 – Oct. 27, 2026
• Course Impacts: Two holes will be closed: Hole #6 and one additional rolling hole closure where bunker work is being performed
• Golfer Discount: Receive 20% off 18-hole green fees only during the bunker project (includes the existing 10% Creek Restoration discount plus an additional 10% bunker project discount).

Burke Lake Golf Center

• Project Dates: Oct. 19 – Nov. 16, 2026
• Course Impacts: Rolling one-hole work zones Monday–Saturday
• Golfer Discount: Receive 10% off regular greens fees through the completion of the bunker project.

Both courses will remain open and playable throughout construction, with some minor route adjustments and occasional construction noise and equipment present.

For the most current project updates and course status, visit the Golf Course Operating Status webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the community to provide input on proposed improvements to Alabama Drive Park in Herndon. Public comments will be accepted from Thursday, Sept. 10 through Saturday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m.

Located at 1100 Alabama Drive, the park is approximately 11-acres and offers a variety of recreational amenities, including two diamond fields, a rectangular field, playgrounds, two basketball courts, trails and a parking lot.

The Park Authority plans to begin revitalization work at the park in spring 2027. The proposed project includes several improvements designed to enhance the park’s recreational opportunities and address existing site needs, including:

• Converting the rectangular field (Field #3) to synthetic turf.
• Replacing the playground equipment.
• Making drainage improvements.

Additional improvements may be incorporated into the project as funding allows, including:

• Parking lot and trail repairs.
• Basketball court repairs and restriping to add a futsal court.
• A new picnic shelter.
• New site furnishings.

The Park Authority is committed to meeting the diverse recreational needs of the community and is seeking feedback to help inform the proposed improvements. In addition to providing general comments on the project, community members are invited to answer two brief questions about potential court configurations and other improvements that could be considered for the park.

Community members are encouraged to review the proposed plans and provide feedback at the Alabama Drive Park Renovation Project webpage.

For questions about this project, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Take the first step to a healthier and happier you by becoming an annual member of Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec Centers. These community wellness hubs provide all the ingredients needed to make your fitness dreams a reality. Lock in during September and get a 15% discount when you purchase annual membership online or in person.

View the Membership flyer

Members receive access to all nine of the Park Authority’s Rec Centers across Fairfax County, so explore classes and fitness opportunities at any location. Develop a workout routine that works for you using cardio and weight training equipment in the Fitness Centers.

Try drop-in group exercise classes, such as cycle, yoga, Pilates, BODYPUMP and Zumba. Take a lap in the pool for a full body workout that goes easy on the joints. Make strides toward better health with every rep, step or stroke.

Signing up for annual membership also provides access to special amenities where available, such as:

• Indoor tracks at Franconia, Mount Vernon and Spring Hill rec centers.
• Ice skating and indoor rock climbing at Mount Vernon Rec Center.
• Indoor water park at Cub Run Rec Center.
• Racquetball/Wallyball courts at Audrey Moore, Franconia, Oakmont, Providence, South Run and Spring Hill rec centers.
• Gyms (drop-in basketball and pickleball, schedule depending) at Audrey Moore, Franconia and Spring Hill rec centers.
• Discounts on Drop-In Childcare at Cub Run, Oakmont and Mount Vernon rec centers.

Everyone can see what Rec Centers have to offer and celebrate their amenities during the Rec Center Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Bring friends and neighbors out to your local Rec Center to try out the Fitness Centers, pools/spas/saunas, sample drop-in exercise classes, and explore the special amenities each location has to offer. Admission all day is free with sign up for a 7-day pass. Level up the time you have to explore by signing up for the 30 days for $30 pass instead. Go all in by purchasing membership at a 15% discount!

On Sept. 22, stop by between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. for special programming. Get in on some exciting activities -- from ping pong at Audrey Moore, to inflatable axe throwing at Cub Run, to roasting s’mores at Oakmont, to cornhole at George Washington, to a carousel ride at Franconia, to meeting a mermaid at Providence, to line dancing at Spring Hill, to kickboxing at South Run. Visit the Rec Center website for details on the open house. 

View the Open House flyer

Mark your calendars for Sept. 22 and commit to your health.

Purchase a Rec Center membership

Step into the fascinating world of bugs at Bug Fest, Lake Accotink Park’s annual celebration of all things that crawl, fly and buzz. Join the Fairfax County Park Authority on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a day of hands-on discovery, outdoor exploration and creepy-crawly fun.

Designed for ages 4 and older, Bug Fest invites families to explore the important role insects play in healthy ecosystems, while getting an up-close look at some of the tiny creatures that share our world.

Here’s what’s buzzing at this year’s event:

• Insect Safari Hikes — Head outdoors to search for insects in their natural habitats.
• Live Insect Encounters — Meet fascinating insects up close.
• Bug Crafts and Games — Get creative with hands-on activities inspired by the insect world.
• Bug-Themed Stories — Enjoy stories celebrating some of nature’s smallest creatures.
• Buggy Maze — Navigate your way through a bug-inspired challenge.
• Spiderweb Slackline Course — Test your balance on a web-worthy adventure.

Admission is $10 per person in advance and $12 at the door. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. 

Register for Bug Fest

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. Parking for Bug Fest is located at 5660 Heming Ave. 

For more information, visit the Lake Accotink Park website or call 703-569-3464.

Dancing and drumming, Native American food and craft vendors, archery, dugout canoe demonstrations and hands-on cultural experiences will bring Riverbend Park to life during the Virginia Native American Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

This year’s festival welcomes members of the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Upper Mattaponi and Chickahominy tribes for a day, celebrating Virginia Native culture, heritage and community.

Festival programming includes Upper Mattaponi dancing and drumming, traditional storytelling and a flute performance by Patrick “Littlewolf” Brooks of Five Feathers Productions, shinny demonstrations with the Powhatan Shinny League and a presentation by Mattaponi cultural keeper Samuel McGowan, featuring recreated tools and artifacts that highlight Mattaponi culture past and present.

Throughout the day, visitors can try archery, join guided walks exploring traditional uses of local plants, watch fire-building and dugout canoe demonstrations, meet live animals, and participate in hands-on activities.

Inside the Riverbend Park Visitor Center, exhibits will highlight Indigenous people and history. The traveling Loudoun’s First Farmers exhibit from the Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum will feature pottery sherds, stone tools and projectile points used by generations of Indigenous people.

Advance registration is $12 per person and closes Friday, Sept. 11, at 9 p.m. Admission at the door is $15 per person.

Register for the Virginia Native American Festival

The festival takes place at Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St., Great Falls. Visit the Riverbend Park website or visit the Virginia Native American Festival webpage for the full festival schedule, program details and registration information.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering visitors two free ways to explore local history this fall as part of Fairfax250, the county’s commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The September Sundays Free Tour Series brings guided programs to seven historic sites on Sept. 6, 13, 20 and 27, while the Fairfax250 Adventure Patch offers a self-guided experience that visitors can complete on their own schedule.

September Sunday tours will be offered at Colvin Run Mill, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Green Spring Gardens, Historic Huntley and Sully Historic Site. The series also includes tours of two buildings that are not typically open for regular public tours: the Spindle Sears House, a Sears, Roebuck & Company kit home built in 1935 in Historic Centreville; and the more-than-200-year-old Frying Pan Spring Meeting House at Frying Pan Farm Park.

Each stop reveals a different piece of Fairfax County history. Visitors can experience working mills, historic homes and gardens, archaeology and farm life, and hear stories of freedom seekers and others whose lives connect Fairfax County to the nation’s larger story.

The tours are free, but space is limited and advance registration is required.

The Fairfax250 Adventure Patch offers another way to explore the county’s history. Visitors can complete six activities at their own pace, following three themes: Learning, Sharing and Doing. Complete the challenge and earn a commemorative Fairfax250 patch.

Fairfax County Park Authority historic sites also offer tours and programs throughout the year, giving visitors even more opportunities to explore the county’s cultural heritage beyond the Fairfax250 celebration.

The September Sundays Free Tour Series and Fairfax250 Adventure Patch are sponsored by the Fairfax250 Commission.

Learn more, register for September Sundays and get started on the Fairfax250 Adventure Patch by visiting the Fairfax250 webpage.

Visitors with color vision deficiencies can now borrow EnChroma glasses for free at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, giving many users a new way to distinguish colors throughout the park’s forests, meadows and seasonal landscapes.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has made six pairs available at the park’s visitor center. Options are available for adults and youth, including fit-over styles for visitors who wear prescription glasses and glasses designed for red-green and blue-yellow color vision deficiencies.

The glasses are designed to increase color contrast for many people with color vision deficiencies. At Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, visitors may notice differences in features, such as wildflowers, fall foliage, butterflies and other elements of the natural landscape.

Visitors may borrow the glasses for the duration of their park visit. Some pairs may be reserved in advance, with others available on a first-come, first-served basis during visitor center hours.

Individual experiences vary depending on the type and degree of color vision deficiency.

The park also offers online comparison images showing how selected scenes may appear with and without EnChroma glasses.

For borrowing information, comparison images and frequently asked questions, visit the ECLP’s EnChroma Glasses webpage. To reserve a pair, call the Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Visitor Center at 703-631-0013 or email FCPAECLawrence@fairfaxcounty.gov.

If you’re looking for a seasonal job that gets you out from behind a desk, builds real-world skills, and lets you work in a beautiful setting, this is it. Spend the rest of your season at Burke Lake Park, one of Fairfax County’s most beautiful outdoor destinations! Positions are available to start immediately and continue through the end of the season in October.

Drop-in interviews will be held at the Burke Lake Park Information Center Aug. 26-28, as well as Sept. 2-4 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. each day. No appointments are necessary. Come by to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot, all in one visit!

Seasonal opportunities include:

• Manager on Duty (MOD)
• Marina Attendant
• Maintenance Workers

Why work at Burke Lake Park?

• Work outdoors in a scenic environment.
• Build customer service, leadership and teamwork skills.
• Be part of a fun and supportive team.
• Gain experience and transferable skills that look great on a resume.

Can’t make it to the Drop-In interviews? No worries! View job ads and apply now for open positions at the Burke Lake Park employment webpage.

View all employment opportunities with FCPA by visiting the Jobs website.

Burke Lake Park is located at 7315 Ox Road in Fairfax Station. For more information, contact the Park Authority at FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-8792. Visit the Burke Lake Park website.