Park Authority

Fairfax County Park Authority celebrates water safety all year long with numerous opportunities to swim and enjoy water at Rec Center pools, lakes, riverfront parks and waterparks.

Each year, the Park Authority hires, trains and certifies lifeguards and swim instructors. It also prioritizes water education, offering its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program and many opportunities to learn to swim and build swim skills with lessons. During National Water Safety Month in May, the Park Authority is placing added emphasis on water safety and education.

Dive Into Swim Lessons

No matter your age, the Park Authority offers lessons in the pool to learn how to swim and increase your swimming skills. In addition to private and semi-private swim lessons, ongoing group swim classes offered include:

• Baby & Me 
• Toddler & Me
• Pee Wee Paddler
• Swimming for Children
• Stroke Mechanics 

In addition, the Park Authority has started offering swim lessons taught in Spanish at multiple Rec Centers. Bilingual instructors using the Virginia Swims curriculum teach lessons to swimmers in both English and Spanish. Contact your local Rec Center to identify bilingual aquatics lessons.

Award-Winning Adapted Swim Programs

Take part in an award-winning Adapted Aquatics Program for adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. The program includes learn-to-swim classes, aquatic exercise classes and training for Special Olympics and Paralympic Swim Team competition.

Water Safety Education for Children

This spring the Park Authority brought back its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program. The free, 30-minute presentation aims to get children ages 3 to 5 comfortable with the concept of being in and around water and shares vital water safety tips. Since this program began in 2022, more than 10,000 children have participated in these classes and learned more about water safety.

Advancing Skills with Summer Swim League

For those looking to increase their skills in the water, the Park Authority offers the Summer Swim League for swimmers ages 6 to 14 to join a swim team and participate in swim meets this summer. The deadline to register is June 16.

All these efforts combine to enhance swimming skills and water safety throughout Fairfax County. Learn more by visiting the National Water Safety Month webpage.

For a complete listing of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s offerings in and around the pool, visit the Aquatics and Swimming webpage.

There’s still time to make your voice heard! The Parks Count! 2026 Parks Needs Assessment Survey closes on June 15, 2025, and we need your input. The Fairfax County Park Authority is asking community members to take the online survey and help spread the word.

Your feedback will help guide the Fairfax County Park Authority’s decisions about park facilities, programs and amenities for the next five years; and shape future investments, including the 2026 park bond. Whether you visit parks regularly or only occasionally or not at all, your perspective matters and will help shape parks and recreation in Fairfax County.

Take the online survey today. It’s easy, and available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Take the Parks Count! Survey

Know someone who cares about parks? Share the survey with friends, family, neighbors and community groups. Everyone’s voice counts!

In addition to the public online survey, a randomly selected group of households will receive a mailed version as part of the project’s statistically valid outreach. If you receive one, please fill it out. We appreciate your participation!

Let’s make parks count, together. Visit the Parks Count! webpage to learn more and complete the survey before June 15.

For questions about the 2026 Needs Assessment, email parkscount@publicinput.com.

The Fairfax County Park Authority welcomed thousands of visitors to Mason District Park on Saturday, May 10, for the 2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival, a vibrant celebration of culture, community and heritage.

The free, family-friendly event featured an exciting lineup of traditional and contemporary performances representing cultures from across Asia and the Pacific Islands, including lion dancing, martial arts, Korean drumming, hula, K-pop and more. Attendees explored cultural exhibits, interactive art and calligraphy workshops, and children’s activities throughout the day. Local food vendors served authentic cuisine, offering guests a flavorful tour of AAPI cultures.

Presented by the Fairfax County Park Authority and its community partners, the event honors the diverse contributions of AAPI communities in Fairfax County and beyond.

A big thank you to all those who joined us at Mason District Park, including Mason District Supervisor Andres Jimenez, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw and Park Authority Board Member Johna Toomey.

To learn more about this annual event and other cultural celebrations in the parks, visit the Park Authority website.

In recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the Fairfax County Park Authority is hosting several events at historic properties across the county. Resident curators at these properties invite community members to learn about the ways in which they are working to preserve Fairfax County’s heritage.

On Saturday, May 31, open house events will be held at the following resident curator properties:

• The Stempson House located at 9501 Furnace Road, Lorton, Virginia
• The Hannah P. Clark/Enyedi House located at 10605 Furnace Road, Lorton, Virginia

The open house events will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and resident curators will be on site to share the history of the homes and the future of the properties. Limited on-site parking will be available at each site.

In addition to the open houses on May 31, ServiceSource, the nonprofit curator for the Ellmore Farmhouse, continues to offer recurring house tours every Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These tours will provide an opportunity for the public to learn more about the work that ServiceSource does within the community and to see the adaptive reuse of Ellmore Farmhouse, located at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon.

The Resident Curator Program provides a unique opportunity for individuals, nonprofit and for-profit organizations to secure long-term lease agreements to live rent-free in historic properties located in beautiful public park settings. In return, curators agree to invest in the rehabilitation of these properties to ensure that the history of Fairfax County is preserved for future generations to experience.

For additional information visit the Resident Curator Program website. You may also contact Resident Curator Program manager, Stephanie Langton at 703-324-8791 or stephanie.langton@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Step into history, sip something spirited and enjoy a literary classic under the stars at Colvin Run Mill this May. The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the public to enjoy three unique events that blend education, entertainment and old-fashioned charm at one of Virginia’s operational 19th-century water-powered mills.

Spirited Grains: Whiskey Tasting Experience

Saturday, May 17, 2025 | Sign up for a tasting time starting at 4 p.m.

Sample a curated selection of fine whiskeys in the rustic beauty of Colvin Run Mill. Learn about traditional distilling techniques and the historic ties between grain and spirit.

Participants must be 21+.

Register for Spirited Grains

Movie at the Mill: 'Pride and Prejudice'

Saturday, May 31, 2025 | 8 p.m.

Enjoy a timeless Jane Austen favorite under the stars. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for an outdoor screening of "Pride and Prejudice" in the scenic surroundings of Colvin Run Mill. Light concessions available for purchase.

Register for Movie at the Mill

Colvin Run Mill is located at 10017 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, Virginia. For more information and registration, visit the Colvin Run Mill website.

The U.S. Department of Energy has honored Fairfax County with a Better Project Award and a Better Practice Award at the Better Buildings, Better Plants Summit held on May 1 in D.C. These prestigious awards recognize partners for demonstrating innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in energy, water and waste reduction.

Fairfax County received the awards for the successful completion of a comprehensive energy retrofit at the Spring Hill Recreation Center, a project led by the Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with the Fairfax County Office of Environmental and Energy Coordination. Procured through an energy savings performance contract, the project combined advanced technologies and sustainable design to significantly reduce the facility’s environmental impact and operational costs.

Key project features include:

• Installation of a 125-ton geothermal heat pump system
• Addition of 307 kW rooftop solar photovoltaics
• Comprehensive LED lighting upgrades and other energy efficiency improvements

The retrofit is projected to reduce the center’s annual energy use by over 23% and carbon emissions by 36%, with a contractually guaranteed $65,000 annual reduction in utility and maintenance expenses.

“This recognition is a testament to what’s possible when innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,” said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. “We’re always looking for smarter ways to serve our community and protect the environment, and the Spring Hill project shows how impactful those efforts can be and resets the efficiency standard for all of our rec centers. It’s exciting to see our work making a difference and setting a standard for what parks can do.”

The Better Buildings, Better Plants Initiative partners with public and private organizations across the country to advance energy efficiency and sustainable practices. The Better Project Award celebrates outstanding projects that demonstrate significant energy savings, while the Better Practice Award highlights effective strategies that can be replicated across industries.

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

Despite a steady drizzle that seemed perfectly suited for the occasion, more than 450 visitors flocked to Huntley Meadows Park on Sunday, May 4, to celebrate Wetlands Awareness Day and mark two major milestones: the 50th anniversary of Huntley Meadows Park and the 200th anniversary of Historic Huntley.

Hosted by the Fairfax County Park Authority, the annual event brought together nature lovers, history buffs, elected officials and community partners for a day of discovery, appreciation and celebration of one of Northern Virginia’s most treasured wetland habitats.

The program opened with remarks from FCPA Board Chairman Kiel Stone, followed by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk. Del. Paul Krizek, who represents part of Fairfax County in the Virginia General Assembly, presented a commending resolution honoring the park’s significance. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation officially recognizing May 4 as Wetlands Awareness Day in Fairfax County.

“Huntley Meadows is my favorite park. It’s one of the most spectacular natural areas in Fairfax County and a true jewel of wetlands, wildlife and history,” Stone said. “This year, as we celebrate 50 years of Huntley Meadows Park, 200 years of Historic Huntley, and 75 years of the Fairfax County Park Authority, we’re not just honoring the land, we’re recognizing the community that has worked tirelessly to protect it. I’m incredibly grateful to our dedicated Park Authority staff, the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and all our partners for making this milestone celebration possible.”

FCPA Executive Director Jai Cole echoed the Stone’s sentiments. "As an ecologist by trade, I can tell you, Huntley Meadows Park is the ecological gem of Fairfax County," Cole said. "This park represents the very best of what we work to protect: thriving ecosystems, resilient wetlands, and a place where people can experience the wonder of nature firsthand."

Also speaking were representatives from Ducks Unlimited; Ben Jessup, President of the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park (FOHMP); and Todi Carnes, President of the Friends of Historic Huntley (FOHH).

Attendees explored interactive stations led by Park Authority staff on topics, such as beavers, birds and amphibians, while 12 partner exhibitors highlighted the importance of wetlands, native wildlife, conservation and stewardship.

The event concluded with cake, community camaraderie and a shared commitment to ensuring Huntley Meadows Park remains a sanctuary for wildlife and a source of inspiration for generations to come.

For more information about Huntley Meadows Park, visit the Huntley Meadows Park website. For questions, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites community members to participate in a public comment period regarding a proposal to construct three dedicated pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park, located at 4600 Stringfellow Road in Fairfax. This proposal aims to address the growing demand for pickleball facilities, while mitigating community concerns and shared court usage at nearby parks.

The proposed plan includes removing the dual-use pickleball lines at Chalet Woods Park and establishing new, dedicated pickleball courts at Greenbriar Park. Greenbriar Park offers ample parking, restroom facilities, and is situated farther from residential areas, making it a suitable location for dedicated pickleball courts.

Community members are encouraged to review the proposal and provide feedback online. The public comment period will remain open until 5 p.m. on June 13, 2025.

For more information, please contact the Park Authority’s Public Information Office via email at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority FCPA, a core member of the National Capital - Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (Nat-Cap PRISM), has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry. The grant, part of the FY25 Virginia PRISM Support for Invasive Species Program, will provide $60,827 to manage invasive species across FCPA parkland. The funds must be used by the end of June 2025.

The funding will support the Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) program, an initiative designed to identify and control new populations of invasive plant species before they become established and cause ecological harm. Target species include fountain grass (Cenchrus purpurascens), yellow archangel (Lamium galeobdolon), Java water dropwort (Oenanthe javanica) and floating primrose willow (Ludwigia peploides).

The EDRR approach focuses on surveys to detect newly arriving, rapidly spreading invasive plants. Once identified, these species are quickly targeted for removal by volunteers or contractors, preventing them from outcompeting native flora and disrupting local ecosystems. The project Invader Detectives, using the iNaturalist app, allows anyone to add observations of plants, alerting FCPA ecologists to new invasive species.

This grant will enable FCPA and its partners to expand surveys, map occurrences of priority EDRR invasive species and conduct timely eradication efforts. The initiative builds on the ongoing work of the Invasive Management Area Program, which is primarily a volunteer-based habitat restoration program.

For more information about the EDRR program and how to get involved, visit the Fairfax County Park Authority’s IMA webpage. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority invites plant lovers of all kinds to celebrate the arrival of spring at the annual Spring Garden Day and Big Plant Sale on Saturday, May 17, 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. Explore an incredible selection of plants from dozens of local vendors, featuring everything from native and fruiting plants to colorful annuals, perennials, herbs and rare finds.

Visitors can also get expert advice from Extension Master Gardeners, browse garden-themed offerings from local artists and businesses, and enjoy delicious fare from food vendors. Be sure to stop by the Friends of Green Spring Park Bake Sale for homemade treats to fuel your plant-shopping adventure.

Whether you’re dreaming up a pollinator paradise or starting your 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.