Alert:
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| Public Comment Period Extended for Proposed 2026 Park Authority Fee Schedule |
The Fairfax County Park Authority presented the proposed 2026 Park Authority Fee Schedule for consideration at the Oct. 22 meeting of the Park Authority Board, launching an essential community engagement process. Each year, the Park Authority Board reviews potential fee adjustments with the goal of balancing user impact with the financial stability needed to sustain high-quality park programs and services. Pending adoption, the 2026 Fee Schedule will take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Park fees support the operation and maintenance of Fairfax County’s extensive park system, including recreation centers, golf courses, nature centers, camps, classes, water parks, amusements and other programs and amenities that provide millions of visitors with enriching and memorable experiences. Residents may submit comments through one of the following channels: Online Submission: Comments may be submitted via PublicInput. Via U.S. Mail:
Community members are encouraged to participate in this important discussion and help shape the future of Fairfax County’s parks and recreational facilities. For more information about the proposed fee schedule, please visit our PublicInput webpage, or contact the Park Authority 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. |
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| Boogie Like a Beaver! Award-Packed 5K Returns to Lake Accotink |
Runners, walkers, families and nature enthusiasts will enjoy a stunning route while supporting FLAP, a volunteer nonprofit dedicated to preserving Lake Accotink Park’s natural, historical and cultural resources. All proceeds will fund park projects and programs. Event DetailsPacket pickup begins at 9 a.m. on race day. Race starts at 10 a.m. What’s New This Year?For an even better experience, Kilroy’s will host an optional $10 pasta dinner, which can be added when registering on Eventbrite. Awards and PrizesThe Beaver Boogie includes multiple race categories, such as:
Awards
Raffle Every participant’s race bib includes a raffle ticket. Prizes include exciting items, such as a brand-new kayak and other surprise giveaways. Registration DetailsRace fee is $25 per participant. For more information or to register, visit Lake Acotink Park’s Friends 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. |
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| Park Authority to Host Public Meeting on Peake Family Cemetery Survey |
The Fairfax County Park Authority will host a virtual public meeting to present the findings of a survey of Peake Family Cemetery on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 7:00 p.m. Details on how to view and participate the meeting are available online at the Peake Family Cemetery project website. Following the meeting, the Park Authority will accept public comments on the proposed interpretation of the site until 5 p.m. on January 10. Comments can be submitted online via the project website. During the restoration of the Peake Family Cemetery, which began last spring, the Park Authority conducted a ground-penetrating radar survey of the site to identify potential unmarked burials. The project was overseen by archaeologists with specialized training in cemetery care and caused no ground disturbance. Work on the site has included addressing landscape issues and will continue with gravestone cleaning, setting and repair. This project is part of the Park Authority’s ongoing work to preserve and restore historic cemeteries in Fairfax County. In addition to site restoration, the Park Authority is planning to update the existing interpretive signs at the cemetery and is requesting assistance from the surrounding community and historical organizations. The archaeology team seeks historic records, photographs, and/or family histories, which may help in identifying unmarked graves and contribute to the interpretive history of the site. Potential burials could include members of the Ford, Javins, Brown, Bigsby and Fisher families. Historic records, photos and histories may be submitted online at the Peake Family Cemetery project website. All materials received will be reviewed by the archaeology team. The researched histories and the results of the ground-penetrating radar survey of the site will inform the narrative and design of interpretive signs later in the year. For additional project background and information, including a recorded project overview, visit the Peake Family Cemetery project website. The Peake Family Cemetery is located adjacent to Martin Luther King Jr. Park and the Gum Springs Community Center at 8115 Fordson Road in Alexandria. |
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| More Golf for Less — The Fall Golf Pass Sale Is Back |
Tee Up for Pass Deals:
Passes are based on regular greens fees. Choose from 9-hole or 18-hole passes for weekdays or weekends. Passes are valid for two years from the date of purchase and are redeemable only at the course where they were bought. Available at Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Oakmont, Pinecrest, Laurel Hill (senior rounds only) and Twin Lakes golf courses. To purchase your passes, visit the pro shop at any participating Golf Fairfax course between Nov. 15 to Nov. 28. For more information on the Fall Pass Sale, visit the Golf Passes webpage. |
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| George Washington Rec Center Announces Updated Operating Hours Starting Jan. 2 | Updated Dec. 22.
New Operating Hours for the George Washington Rec Center 8426 Old Mount Vernon Road, Alexandria
Patrons seeking recreational activities or pool access outside of these times are welcome to visit nearby Rec Centers, including Mount Vernon Rec Center or Franconia Rec Center, which offer expanded hours. 2017 Belle View Blvd., Alexandria
6601 Telegraph Road, Springfield
We appreciate your understanding as we implement these changes to better serve our community’s needs. If you have any questions about the updated schedule or facility information, please reach out to us at FCPARECenters@fairfaxcounty.gov. |
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| Park Authority Announces Lively Lineup of Activities for Mount Vernon Rec Center Event |
The exciting lineup of activities includes:
The Park Authority welcomes attendees to bring food donations for a holiday food drive hosted by Mount Vernon District and Fairfax County Public Schools that benefits local students and their families. Prepare for the event by visiting the Mount Vernon Rec Center website to explore all the wonderful features the rec center has to offer. Plan ahead by exploring the timeline for the activities by visiting the reopening webpage. 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. |
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| Rec Centers Welcome High School Swim and Dive Teams |
This marks a historic partnership between Fairfax County Public Schools and Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers. In fact, high school swim was central to the development of county Rec Centers. As swimming became an increasingly popular sport, Fairfax County Public Schools began to look for pool facilities. The county proposed building rec centers with pools on Park Authority land as a more accessible and efficient option — opening Audrey Moore Rec Center in 1977. Learn more about this historic partnership in this Parktakes article. Each year between November and February, Rec Centers welcome high school teams back to the pool. The Park Authority welcomes these teams back and applauds their success. Physical activity and teamwork have long been recognized as vital parts of the high school experience, and swimming can involve more students with less risk of serious injury than any other sport. As students take to the pools, this results in changes to the availability of the pools for the public through February. Be sure to check the online pool calendar for your favorite Rec Center for the most up-to-date pool availability. 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. |
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| Farmers Markets Offer Extra Produce Benefits for SNAP Shoppers During Federal Government Shutdown |
Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared a state of emergency and launched the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) program to support households that rely on SNAP. VENA provides weekly emergency food distributions to eligible households whose SNAP benefits were approved by Oct. 29, 2025, for the duration of the shutdown. Additionally, Virginia Fresh Match (VFM) is offering enhanced produce benefits at participating Fairfax County farmers markets and select grocery stores during November. At farmers markets, SNAP shoppers will receive an extra $20 in free tokens to use on fruits and vegetables — no minimum purchase required. Shoppers with a $0 SNAP balance may also participate in the VFM program. Participating Fairfax County Farmers Markets:
Note: The Annandale and Wakefield farmers markets are closed for the season. Residents can find more information about the VENA food distribution schedule and Virginia Fresh Match participating locations by visiting market information tents. You can also visit the Virginia Fresh Match website for participating locations, or the Virginia Department of Social Services website for the VENA food distribution schedule. These programs aim to help families stretch their food dollars, support local farmers, and ensure access to fresh, nutritious produce during the federal funding lapse. 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. |
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| Dogue Creek Stream Restoration Project Launches at Greendale Golf Course |
The project is scheduled to begin on Nov. 3 and continue through March 2027. The restoration will include stream and pond dredging, streambank stabilization and stormwater infrastructure upgrades. These improvements are designed to enhance water quality, control erosion and sediment, reduce flooding risk, and improve the long-term sustainability of the golf course. "This project represents a shared commitment to protecting natural resources and maintaining high-quality park facilities," said Carmen Giannini, Golf Fairfax Director of Agronomy. "These improvements will benefit both the environment and the playing experience for our golfers." Temporary Course Impact To complete the restoration work, several areas of the course will be temporarily affected:
While two holes are closed, Greendale Golf Course will offer a 20% discount on regular-priced greens fees. Golfers may experience temporary cart path detours, tee box adjustments and construction-related noise near Holes 16 and 17. For safety, players are asked not to retrieve golf balls from construction zones. Once completed, the project will enhance both the playability and appearance of the course, creating a more resilient and sustainable facility that reflects Fairfax County’s commitment to environmental stewardship. Project updates and additional information will be posted online as they become available at the Dogue Creek Stream Restoration website. Greendale Golf Course is located at 6700 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. Visit the Greendale Golf Course website for more information. |
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| Fairfax County Park Authority Invites Public Feedback on Proposed 2026 Fee Schedule |
Park fees support the operation and maintenance of Fairfax County’s park system, including rec centers, golf courses, nature centers, camps, classes, water parks, amusements, park programs and amenities. These facilities and amenities provide enjoyment and memorable experiences for millions of park visitors each year. Recognizing the importance of community involvement, the Park Authority Board is actively seeking public feedback on the 2026 Fee Schedule to ensure that they reflect the priorities of Fairfax County residents. The Park Authority invites community members to share their thoughts and comments through one of the following channels by 5 p.m. on Nov. 26: Online Submission: Feedback can be submitted via PublicInput Via U.S. Mail. Written comments may be sent to:
Residents are encouraged to participate in this critical discussion to shape how Fairfax County parks and recreational facilities will operate for years to come. For more details about the proposed fee schedule, please visit our PublicInput webpage or contact the Park Authority at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. About Fairfax County Park Authority Fairfax Couty 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 FCPA website. |
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Recognizing the importance of community participation, the Park Authority Board is seeking public input to ensure the 
Unlock the best golf deals of the year with Golf Fairfax. Enjoy seasonal savings, year-round play during the Fall Pass Sale happening from Nov. 15 to Nov. 28. Now is the perfect time to plan your visit and save, stock up for next season or surprise a golfer with a great gift.
Fairfax County Public School high school teams head back to Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers in November. Swim and dive teams will be using Rec Center pools through February.