Park Authority

On the morning of Saturday, March 29, community members, local officials and park supporters gathered to celebrate the grand reopening of McLean Central Park with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The event marked the official unveiling of the park’s revitalized amenities, including a state-of-the-art playground made possible by the fundraising efforts of the McLean Central Playground Team and generous community donations.

Kiel Stone, Chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, welcomed attendees, highlighting the park’s role as a vital community hub. “McLean Central Park is a shining example of what we can accomplish when passionate leaders, dedicated volunteers, and engaged community members come together,” said Stone. “This park serves as a green oasis for everyone to enjoy, and we are thrilled to officially celebrate its reopening.”

Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the park’s lasting impact. “Seeing families, children, and residents already making use of these new amenities reaffirms just how important our public parks are,” said Bierman. “This is a space that brings people together, and I’m grateful for everyone who played a role in making this project a success.”

Jai Cole, Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority, shared excitement about the park’s future. “With its upgraded facilities and vibrant green spaces, McLean Central Park will continue to be a beloved gathering place for all generations,” said Cole. “We look forward to seeing it filled with laughter, play, and community connections for years to come.”

The event also featured remarks from Former Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust, Laura Eakin Erlacher, Chair of the Fairfax County Park Foundation and Dr. Cara Schantz of the McLean Central Playground Team. Attendees then moved to the donor wall for a special unveiling, recognizing the contributions of individuals and organizations who helped bring the project to life.

The newly enhanced McLean Central Park now offers expanded recreational opportunities, including an all-abilities playground, a new open-air pavilion, and a new fitness area, providing a welcoming space for residents to enjoy the outdoors.

A full photo album from the ribbon cutting event is available on Flickr.

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

The dog parks at Chandon Park and Blake Lane Park will soon undergo renovations to enhance the visitor experience. The planned improvements will include converting the park surfaces to stone dust, with necessary dirt work and grading to ensure long-term durability.

Construction at Blake Lane Park is scheduled to begin on May 5, 2025, with an anticipated completion date of June 4, 2025. Renovations at Chandon Park will follow, starting on June 2, 2025, and concluding by July 2, 2025. During these periods, both dog parks will be completely closed to the public. Additional temporary closures will impact surrounding areas. At Blake Lane Park, the parking lot will be partially closed, and the trail leading to the dog park will be inaccessible during work hours. At Chandon Park, the parking lot will also be partially closed, and the walkway between the dog park and tennis courts, along with tennis court access via the walkway, will be closed during work hours.

Visitors are encouraged to plan accordingly and utilize the Park Amenity Locator to identify alternative facilities to use during this time. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Celebrate all things spring with Fairfax County Park Authority. From new blooms to egg hunts, there’s something for the entire family to enjoy in the parks this season. 

Celebrate all things spring with Fairfax County Park Authority. From new blooms to egg hunts, there’s something for the entire family to enjoy in the parks this season.

Take a wildflower walk to marvel at bluebells during Riverbend Park’s (8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls) annual Bluebells at the Bend Festival on Saturday, April 5. Join this blooming adventure to explore carpets of these beautiful native flowers and enjoy live music, crafts, food and exhibitors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Explore numerous other wildflower and gardening events online.

Hop on over to one of the many egg hunts taking place at locations around the county including: 

• Natures Colorful Eggs — Hidden Pond Nature Center, Saturday, April 5, 2-3 p.m., $8 
• Spring EGG-stravaganza — Play egg games and learn about the wonderful egg-laying friends in your neighborhood at Lake Fairfax on Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. 
• Egg-speriments — Find out what’s cracking (or not) as various experiments with eggs are performed and learn about their many amazing properties at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Saturday, April 12, 1-2 p.m. 
• Mini Golf Egg-plorations — Bring your basket and search for eggs throughout the mini-golf course. There will be face painting, popcorn, games and kids can decorate their very own egg to take home. Join in the fun at Oakmont Rec Center on Saturday, April 12 with times between 9:30 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. 
• Baskets & Bunnies — Hunt for eggs, meet Sunny the Bunny and enjoy festivities for the whole family! Purchase an egg hunt ticket along with your amusement ticket to participate in all the festivities. This event will be held at Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) on Saturday, April 19 with times between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. 
• Baskets & Bunnies Sensory Egg Hunt — Children with disabilities can join this sensory-friendly hunt scheduled for 10 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 19. This event will allow children to hunt on their own in a quieter area of Burke Lake Park (7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) and can also feature beeping eggs, allowing children with visual impairments to join in the fun. 
• Bubbles & Bunnies — Help the Easter Bunny rescue all the ducks hidden in the pool. Trade your rescued ducks for a bag filled with eggs and prizes. After the search, stay to enjoy the slides, lazy river and play features at Cub Run Rec Center on Saturday April 19 with times between 9 a.m. and noon.  
• Easter Egg Hunt — Colvin Run Mill, Saturday, April 19. Choose times between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., $10 
• Woodland Wildlife Egg Hunt — Hidden Oaks Nature Center, May 4, Choose times between 2-3 p.m. or 3-4 p.m., $8 

Keep the celebrations going with the Easter Bunny Family Skate and Dance Night on April 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Franconia Rec Center. Take a spin around the gym floor at this themed event, visit with the Easter bunny, enjoy refreshments and groove to music by a DJ.  

Stay up to date on all the exciting events coming your way at the event calendar. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is excited to launch the Parks Count! 2026 Parks Needs Assessment online survey to evaluate park and recreation needs across the county. Community input is essential to shaping the future of Fairfax County’s parks, and we want to hear from you. 

The study will utilize research, trends analysis, and community feedback to help FCPA enhance amenities, facilities, and programs over the next five years. Along with the Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access Strategy (PROSA), the 2026 Needs Assessment will help guide decision-making for park investments and improvements, including the 2026 park bond. 

Residents have multiple ways to provide input. All members of the community are invited to share their thoughts through an online survey hosted on PublicInput. Additionally, a randomly selected group of households will receive a mailed survey as part of the project’s statistically valid data collection. If you receive a survey, please complete it—we appreciate your participation. 

To ensure accessibility, the survey is available in seven languages: English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Arabic, Cantonese, and Mandarin. 

Your voice matters. Help shape the future of Fairfax County’s parks by participating in the 2026 Needs Assessment survey. Visit the Parks Count! webpage to learn more and to access the survey.  

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to announce that we are hiring passionate, skilled instructors to lead a variety of programs in the newly renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center. We’re excited to welcome the community back to an upgraded facility featuring two National Hockey League sized ice rinks, two-story fitness center, indoor track, rock climbing wall, drop-in childcare, pool with beach entry, birthday parties and event rentals, and so much more! We are seeking dynamic individuals to join our team and help us create a vibrant, inclusive space where community members of all ages can learn, grow, and stay active. 

We are currently hiring for the following instructor positions:
 

• Fitness Instructors: Lead energizing group fitness classes for all skill levels, from high-intensity workouts to calming yoga sessions.
  • Personal Trainer
  • Group Fitness 
  • Pilates 
• Aquatics Instructors: Provide safe, fun, and effective swimming lessons and water-based fitness classes.
  • Learn to Swim
  • Water Exercise 
• Arts & Crafts Instructors: Guide participants through creative projects, fostering artistic exploration and expression.
  • Kids Mixed Media 
  • Fine Arts
• Sports Instructors: Teach fundamental skills and techniques in various sports, encouraging teamwork and active play.
  • Martial Arts
  • Adult Dance 
  • Scout Merit Badge
  • Games (Chess, Checker, etc.)
• Ice Skating Instructors: Teach skating techniques, from beginner basics to advanced skills, in our newly renovated rink.
• Recreation Program Instructors: Lead a variety of enriching and engaging programs. 
  • Martial Arts
  • Adult Dance 
  • Scout Merit Badge
• Games (Chess, Checker, etc.)

Local job seekers are encouraged to attend walk-in hiring events, where they can learn about job opportunities, apply, interview, and even complete hire paperwork on the spot if selected.

Open Hire Event Details

• Wednesday, April 16, 4 to 6 p.m. at Martha Washington Library
• Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Martha Washington Library
• Monday, April 21, 5 to 7 p.m. at Martha Washington Library

FCPA offers a flexible work environment with competitive pay and opportunities for professional growth through training and development programs. Employees enjoy a fun and dynamic team atmosphere, where they play a vital role in bringing the community together. Team members also receive free use of the Rec Center where they work, making it a great opportunity for those who love recreation and fitness. Whether you're looking to gain valuable experience or be part of an energetic team, FCPA provides an engaging workplace where you can make a difference.

Mount Vernon Rec Center is located at 2017 Belle View Blvd. in Alexandria. To learn more about the open positions at Mount Vernon Rec Center and to submit an application online, visit the Mount Vernon Rec Center jobs webpage.

For questions, contact FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov. 
Don’t miss this chance to be part of #TeamFCPA and work at Fairfax County’s premier recreation center!
 

In addition to all the fun and excitement, Earth Day Fairfax is all about teaching new skills and simple tricks you can do at home that have a huge impact on the world outside. Join us at Sully Historic Site on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the county’s largest Earth Day celebration.

Since 1970, Earth Day has been an annual celebration that raises awareness of the need to protect Earth's natural resources for future generations. Fairfax County’s Earth Day Festival creates the perfect environment for children and adults of all ages to expand their knowledge about the world around us through games, activities and hands-on exploration. Here’s just a few topics you can expect at this year’s Earth Day Festival:

• Strategies to grow bigger, better plants
• Information for identifying and getting rid of invasive plants
• Ways insects help the environment
• Effect of erosion on archaeology
• How to use a historic corn grinder
• History through activities
• Composting

With live music, outdoor ice skating, the popular touch-a-truck exhibit and more, this is a learning experience you don’t want to miss. Admission to the event is free, but there is a parking fee of $10 per vehicle. 

Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way in Chantilly. For more information about the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Earth Day Festival, visit the Earth Day website. 

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The 2025 Earth Day Festival is made possible in partnership with 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. Visit the Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.
 

The Fairfax County Park Authority – in partnership with Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, The Fairfax County Park Foundation and The McLean Central Playground Team – is pleased to announce the official ribbon-cutting to commemorate the reopening of McLean Central Park. This event will celebrate an extraordinary collaboration to enhance one of McLean’s beloved community spaces and create a more vibrant and accessible park experience.

• When: Saturday, March 29 at 10 a.m.
• Where: The New McLean Central Park Pavilion; 1468 Dolley Madison Blvd.; McLean, VA 22101

Limited parking is available at the Dolley Madison Library and the McLean Community Center.

The event will include a brief speaking program with speakers, including Kiel Stone, Chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board; Fairfax County Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole; and Dranesville District Supervisor Jimmy Bierman. The program will also include Laura Eakin Erlacher, Chair of the Fairfax County Park Foundation and Dr. Cara Schantz of the community-based McLean Central Playground Team, who spearheaded a fundraising effort to generate approximately $400,000 to support the construction of the new playground facilities.

For more information about the event or McLean Central Park, please contact the Park Authority’s Communications Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

We look forward to celebrating with you!

Contributions for the McLean Central Park Project were coordinated 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 Park Foundation website or call 703-324-8582.

Fairfax County Park Authority’s Healthy Strides program helps improve health equity and empowers residents to make informed decisions about their wellbeing. Make strides to improve your health and wellness from any location, for free, with the Healthy Strides Wellness Workshops and virtual fitness classes.

“Healthy Strides directly supports the mission of One Fairfax by providing equitable access to fitness programs and health education resources,” said Ryan Ross, Wellness Coordinator for Fairfax County Park Authority. This program strives to provide all residents with the resources and support they need to achieve optimal health. To help meet this goal, the program offers a comprehensive suite of free and accessible opportunities to learn and get active.

Virtual Fitness Classes

Residents can participate in weekly virtual fitness classes from the comfort of their own homes at no cost. Virtual fitness classes are held through Microsoft Teams; all that’s needed is to download the app on a phone or tablet. Get active virtually with our Pilates, yoga, tai chi, body sculpting and basic training classes that cater to diverse fitness levels and interests.

“I think it's a great program and allows those who are not able to get to the gym stay healthy and fit. I really appreciate the fact that I can work out anywhere if you have internet connection and join a class. And if you are immune compromised, it allows you to work out in the comforts of your own home without worrying about getting sick from those around you,” said one community participant.

Find the Virtual Community Fitness Classes calendar at the Healthy Strides website.

Wellness Workshops

In addition to fitness classes, Fairfax County Park Authority offers free, virtual wellness workshops. These regular workshops address critical health topics relevant to the community that align with national health observances. They provide practical guidance on forming healthy habits. Participants gain insights into key health topics, learning about everything from heart health to nutrition to diabetes prevention to stress management and empowering people to make positive lifestyle changes.

Upcoming workshops include:

• Fueling Growth: Nutrition’s Impact on Autism Management, Wednesday, April 23, 7 p.m.
• Calm Through Cuisine: How Diet Can Help Manage Stress, Wednesday, May 21, 7 p.m.
• Mindfulness Unplugged: Integrating Nature Therapy and Mindfulness Techniques, Wednesday, June 18, 7 p.m.

Stay tuned to upcoming classes in the calendar on the Healthy Strides website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is undertaking significant revitalization projects at Oakmont and Franconia Rec Centers to enhance pool air quality for swimmers and spectators. These efforts align with the county’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality in its facilities, fleet vehicles, and operations by 2040.

At Oakmont Rec Center, work is underway to upgrade the pool dehumidification system, with completion expected by April 2025, weather permitting. Patrons should expect occasional construction traffic. Crane operations are scheduled for April 3, April 10, and April 18. A scheduled pool outage will begin at 7 p.m. on March 31, with normal operations resuming on April 3. These improvements will significantly enhance air quality, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment for swimmers and spectators. Similar upgrades at Spring Hill Rec Center in spring 2024 have already demonstrated positive results.

At Franconia Rec Center, Phase I of the revitalization project will begin in mid-April and conclude by early May 2025, weather permitting. Crane operations will take place on April 14 and April 17. On April 14, the child care area will be blocked off until mid-morning, while on April 17, the women’s locker room, lower dance room and lower meeting room will be closed until mid-morning. Phase II, starting Aug. 18, will focus on fitness center heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrades and pool ductwork renovations. These upgrades will improve ventilation and temperature control, ensuring a better experience for all users.

For a full list of available Rec Centers during construction, visit the Rec Center website.

For further details, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Spring is here, bringing warmer days and big savings on golf rounds! Now is the perfect time to stock up and hit the greens like a pro. From March 20 to April 4, golfers can save on weekend and weekday passes at Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only), Oakmont, Pinecrest, and Twin Lakes golf courses.

Spring pass deals include:

• Get 25% off 15 rounds, 20% off 10 rounds, and 10% off 5 rounds. Pass savings are based on regular greens fees.
• Senior golfers (65+), buy 15 rounds and only pay for 14 rounds.
• Passes are available for 9 or 18 holes, for both weekend or weekday rounds.
• Golf passes are valid at the course where it was purchased for two years after the date of purchase.

Visit participating golf pro shops to purchase your passes.

For more information on the Spring Golf Pass Sale, visit the Golf passes webpage.