Park Authority

Don’t miss out on an enjoyable night out for the entire family — roll out to an upcoming Family Skate and Dance Night at Franconia Rec Center. These family friendly events feature fun themes every month in the Rec Center’s gym.

Enjoy music by the guest DJ and themes reflected in the festive decorations. Food, snacks and drinks are available for purchase. Grab your favorite people and bring your own wheels (quad or inline skates) or dancing shoes and come out to enjoy this community event.

Skaters of all ages can join in the fun and build confidence on wheels. Tickets for everyone including skaters, dancers, spectators and chaperones cost $10 and can be purchased online in advance or at the door. Check out the exciting lineup and plan your outfits accordingly:

• Saturday, Jan. 17, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: Sports Jersey Night
• Saturday, Feb. 21, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: Disco Blast Back to the '70s
• Saturday, March 21, 6-9 p.m., Family Skate and Dance Night: St. Patrick’s Day

Register for a Family Skate Night

Visit the Franconia Rec Center’s website for more information and to stay up to date on future skate nights and other events at the Rec Center.

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

Franconia Rec Center is located at 6601 Telegraph Road in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Franconia Rec Center website or call 703-922-9841. 

The new year brings opportunities to start fresh and on the right track. Make a resolution to improve your health and wellness at Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers. Get a 15% discount when you purchase annual membership online, or in person at our Rec Centers throughout January.

Membership provides access to all Fairfax County Rec Centers and their Fitness Centers, pools, drop-in group fitness classes, and other amenities depending on location. The variety of options to help you achieve your health goals range from traditional cardio and weight training to swimming or water walking to group activities, such as drop-in exercise including cycle, yoga, Pilates and BODYPUMPTM; or sports activities, such as basketball, pickleball and racquetball.

Members also enjoy discounts on drop-in child care, as well as the ability to use other amenities based on location, such as the indoor tracks at Spring Hill Rec Center and Mount Vernon Rec Center and public ice skating sessions or indoor rock climbing at Mount Vernon Rec Center.

View the membership sale flyer

Bring a friend to your local Rec Center and make your commitment to fitness that much stronger. Additional discounts are offered for those that live in the same household with proof of residency. Stop by a Rec Center today to learn more. For more information, please contact FCPARECenters@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Prepare for laughter, learning and memories that last a lifetime with Fairfax County Park Authority camps. Back by popular demand, split registration for 2026 spring and summer camps returns. 

Watch the Camps video below:

The opening date for camp registration depends on the location where the camps take place:

• Green location camps — Register starting Tuesday, Feb. 3 at 9 a.m. (add to calendar)
• Blue location camps — Register starting Thursday, Feb. 5 at 9 a.m. (add to calendar)

This strategy helps prevent our online platform from being overwhelmed by the number of devices logging into the system at the same time and supports an efficient registration process for all users.

The Park Authority has prepared several resources for helping families prepare for the upcoming spring and summer camp registration, including:

• 2026 Camp Guide: Explore the full suite of spring and summer camp offerings.
• My Summer Camp Planner: Download to make notes of registration codes and open registration dates to track your top choices.
• Camp Spreadsheet: Sort and filter available camps and Extended Care offerings for children by their age, the week, the type of camp and the location.
• Location Map: Review the location map and note if your location is #TeamGreen or #TeamBlue.
• House Account: Create or update/recover your house account to make sure you are ready in advance of registration opening.
• Subscribe to E-News: Make sure you are on the list to get email updates.
• Camp Search: Use this online system to search for camps and register when the time comes.

The Park Authority offers camp experiences for any interest. From outdoor adventures and sports, to arts, acting and music, to STEM and chess, explore our extensive list of exciting camps opportunities for all ages. Make those wish lists, set your clocks and get ready to register in February!

Stay tuned to the Camps website for the most current camp information. Review the Summer Camp Registration FAQs section for more details about the registration split and follow the camp conversation on social media with #FCPACamps.

Please note that waitlists open on the following dates:

• Green location Spring camps: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4
• Blue location Spring camps: 10 a.m., Friday, Feb. 6
• All Summer camps: 10 a.m. on Friday, May 1

If you have any questions, please contact FCPA Camps team at camps@fairfaxcounty.gov. Media inquiries may be directed to the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Braving the cold, Fairfax County residents welcomed 2026 by getting outside. Hundreds of participants of all ages explored the Fairfax County Park Authority’s more than 420 parks and 334 miles of trails, capturing moments from their first hikes of the year for the 2026 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest.

The annual First Hike Fairfax photo contest is jointly sponsored by the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation as a way for residents to begin a new year with fitness and outdoor activity, while enjoying the experience with friends, neighbors and family. This year, more than 250 contestants submitted photos. The results are spectacular! See the complete collection of submissions on the First Hike Fairfax 2026 photo album Flickr page.

The contest received entries in four categories: Scenery and Landscapes, People, Wildlife, and Pets. A “Best in Show” prize was awarded in each category. Two at-large awards – the Director’s Choice and the Judges’ Choice – were selected by Park Authority leadership. 

The following winners will receive gift cards to the Fairfax County Park Authority provided by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The prizes are redeemable toward the cost of most Park Authority programs or Rec Center Memberships.

Director’s Choice Award

Judges’ Choice Award 

Best in Show (Nature and Landscapes) 

Best in Show (People)

Best in Show (Wildlife)

Best in Show (Pets)

A committee reviewed submissions and selected finalists for the 2026 People’s Choice Award; this award will be selected by popular vote.

Voting is now open! Cast your vote by visiting the voting webpage. Voting is open through 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13. The winner of the People’s Choice Award will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 15 and will receive a $100 Park Authority gift card.

"Starting the year outdoors sets a positive tone for the months ahead," said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. "Our parks provide welcoming spaces where people can move, reflect and build a deeper connection to nature all year long."

For more information about the photo contest, visit the First Hike Fairfax webpage. For questions, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County Park Authority website.

About 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. For more information, visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a public meeting to present design plans for a trail that will provide access to tidal wetlands from Martin Luther King Jr. Park in the Gum Springs area of Alexandria, Virginia. The meeting will take place in person on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at Gum Springs Community Center, located at 8100 Fordson Road, and streamed online.

Details on how to participate virtually are available at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Trail project website.

Following the meeting, the Park Authority will accept public comments on the proposed interpretation of the site until 5 p.m. on Feb. 13. Comments can be submitted online via the project website.

The trail will begin on the western side of the playground and include a paved asphalt trail transitioning to a boardwalk, ending with an observation platform within the wetlands. The total length of the trail will be approximately 642 feet.

Prior to creating a conceptual design, the Park Authority also completed cultural resource studies to ensure the preservation of natural, cultural, and historical resources in the area and to inform interpretive signage that supports the educational and outreach objectives of the Park Authority.

For additional information, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

Ready to dive into a rewarding job that makes a real impact in your community? The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring part-time, year-round lifeguards at all nine FCPA Rec Centers across Fairfax County, and we’re making it easier to apply, interview and get hired.

Join us for an open hire event where you can apply, complete a swim test, interview and if selected as a candidate, register for the next certification class.

Come to Audrey Moore Rec Center, located at 8100 Braddock Road in Annandale, on Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

Visit the signup website to register in advance for a swim test and interview; or simply walk in ready to go!

Please make sure to bring appropriate swim attire and a change of clothes.

Swim test includes:

• Swim 100 yards continuously using a front crawl or breaststroke.
• Retrieve a 10-pound dive brick from the deepest part of the facility’s pool (12 to 14 feet deep).
• Tread water without hands for one minute.

Position Details:

• High-demand shift times between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. Other availability will be considered based on site need.
• Positions are part-time year-round.
• No experience required – training is provided through FCPA.

Why you’ll love this job:

• Free use of the rec center where you work.
• Advancement opportunities to lifeguard II and head lifeguard.
• Excellent entry-level experience for careers in public safety, the medical field and the military.

Can’t attend the open hire or looking for more information? View the job ad and apply by visiting the Aquatic Certification Programs and Jobs webpage.

Candidates must be at least 15 years old at the start of the course, and employment is contingent upon successful course completion and satisfactory results on a background check.

For more information, please reach out to FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to approve a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program grant totaling $10,084.47 on Dec. 10, to support improvements at the Westgrove Park off-leash dog area. The total estimated cost for this improvement project is $20,168.94.

The Westgrove Pumphouse Association for Canine Kindness (Westgrove P.A.C.K.) sought to enhance the off-leash dog area at Westgrove Park through the installation of ADA compliant engineered wood fiber surfacing and the addition of accessible picnic tables. Since its establishment as an interim-use off-leash dog area in 2012 and designation as a permanent use in the Westgrove Park Master Plan approved in 2013, the dog park has experienced heavy use, resulting in surfacing challenges.

The project will install engineered wood fiber surfacing at the north end of the dog park, providing improved accessibility, maintainability and aesthetics compared to existing conditions. Engineered wood fiber also supports the Park Authority’s goals for universal accessibility, unlike grass or bare soil, which has been unable to withstand high levels of use. In addition, the project includes the installation of two accessible picnic tables, enhancing comfort and usability for park visitors.

The total project cost of $20,168.94 will be shared equally between Westgrove P.A.C.K. and the Park Authority through the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program. The project will be managed by staff from the Park Operations and Development Divisions, with maintenance and repair responsibilities provided by Westgrove P.A.C.K., as outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park Authority and the organization. Project completion is anticipated by spring 2026.

Westgrove Park is located at 6801 Fort Hunt Road in Alexandria in the Mount Vernon District.

The Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program encourages public-private partnerships that improve Fairfax County parks and park facilities. Since 1999, the program has awarded approximately $2.2 million in grants for projects valued at more than $16.6 million. Grants ranging from a few hundred dollars to the maximum of $20,000 have funded projects such as trail improvements, construction of gazebos and shelters and park and athletic field enhancements.

For more information or to apply for a matching grant, visit the Mastenbrook Grants website, or call 703-324-8740. Applications are available on the Mastenbrook Grants website.

Commit to your wellness in the New Year by becoming an annual member of Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec Centers. Purchase membership during January to secure a 15% discount on the membership rate. Explore the amazing amenities that the Park Authority’s nine Rec Centers offer during the Open House event on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Everyone is invited to visit and try out any Park Authority Rec Center on Jan. 4 with the signup for a free, 7-day trial membership or the purchase of a 30-day for $30 pass. Discover your neighborhood Rec Center and see how it can help you meet your fitness goals. Tour the building, try out amenities, use equipment in the Fitness Center, swim a lap in the pool and more.

Enjoy special programming between 2 and 5 p.m., such as a membership information table, fitness demonstrations and other special activities. Find your nearest Rec Center and explore the Open House lineup below:

• Audrey Moore Rec Center Open House
• Cub Run Rec Center Open House
• Franconia Rec Center Open House
• George Washington Rec Center Open House
• Mount Vernon Rec Center Open House
• Oakmont Rec Center Open House
• Providence Rec Center Open House
• South Run Rec Center Open House
• Spring Hill Rec Center Open House

Annual membership provides access to any of our nine Rec Centers, each with their own amenities. Enjoy flexible membership options with no initiation fees. Join today to access:*

• Pools, spas and saunas 
• Fitness centers (free orientations)
• Virtual and drop-in fitness classes
• Indoor tracks and athletic courts
• Drop-in pickleball and basketball games 
• Public ice skating and climbing wall sessions
• Discounts on drop-in child care

*Space permitting, amenities vary by location.

Purchase in-person at Rec Centers or by visiting the Rec Center passes webpage. Learn more by visiting the Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers website.

Families, friends and neighbors are invited to Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, Dec. 20 at noon for the beloved holiday tradition when Santa Comes to Lake Accotink Park. This community favorite offers a lively outdoor experience for all ages, featuring holiday activities, photo opportunities, and seasonal fun!

Attendees can enjoy a variety of cheerful holiday touches, including:

Holiday photo opportunities with Santa starting at noon.

• A festive backdrop for family pictures.
• Pet-friendly fun - leashed dogs are welcome.
• Seasonal treats and activities for children and families.
• Volunteer support provided by the Friends of Lake Accotink Park.

For more information or to register, visit the Friends of Lake Accotink Park webpage.

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

With the winter holidays approaching, and the potential for inclement weather in the Washington metropolitan area, residents may be wondering how to stay informed about what’s open, what’s closed, and when schedule changes occur. The Fairfax County Park Authority offers several easy ways to stay up to date on holiday hours and weather-related closures.

Park Authority Website

The most up-to-date information on closures and cancellations is posted on the Park Alerts website.

This page can also be accessed via the alert bar at the top of any Fairfax County Park Authority webpage.

Holiday hours for parks, facilities and amenities are listed on the Holiday Hours website.

Contact Individual Park Sites

For the most current information about specific parks, programs or facilities, visitors are encouraged to contact the site directly. Please note that when registered programs or classes are canceled, participants will receive an email notification directly from staff.

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

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. Learn more by visiting the Park Authority website.