Park Authority

In recognition of Memorial Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority invites veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families to enjoy complimentary access to select park amenities and activities on Monday, May 26.

This special day of recognition is a small way to say thank you for the service and sacrifice of those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Complimentary admission includes:

• Rec Center access, including pools, fitness rooms, gyms/courts and drop-in fitness classes
• Camping at Lake Fairfax Park
• Wagon rides at Frying Pan Farm Park

Guests must present valid military identification to receive complimentary access.

For more information, visit the Park Authority website, or call 703-324-8700. For ADA or inclusion accommodations, call 703-324-8563 or TTY Virginia Relay at 711.

The Memorial Day program is sponsored 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Enjoy warm summer nights with family, friends and community at the Summer Entertainment Series. Free performances that the entire family will enjoy return to locations across Fairfax County coming June through August. Listen to concerts with performers playing everything from go-go to bluegrass to jazz to rock and more. Experience cultural showcases from around the world. Bring children to be entertained by shows specifically for them and watch movies under the stars.

Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and Fairfax County Park Foundation partner to bring this community-building, summer staple back for 2025, with shows kicking off on June 6. All ages are invited to come out to enjoy a picnic, connect with friends and neighbors, and be entertained all summer long.

2025 Summer Entertainment Series offers the following series:

• Arts in the Parks children’s entertainment (8 locations)
• Braddock Nights (Fairfax, Springfield)
• Evenings on the Ellipse (Fairfax County Government Center)
• Franconia Nights (Alexandria) featuring the new Kid’s Concerts on the Green (Springfield)
• Hunter Mill Melodies (Herndon)
• Mount Vernon Nights (Alexandria, Lorton)
• Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park (Herndon)
• Providence Presents (Vienna, Merrifield)
• Spotlight by Starlight (Annandale)
• Springfield Nights (Fairfax Station)
• Starlight Cinema (Chantilly)

Find series details on the Summer Entertainment Series webpage.

Get updates about the upcoming schedule by joining our Summer Concert Series e-news list. All performances are held outdoors. Lawn chairs are welcome. In case of inclement weather, call the concert hotline at 571-202-SHOW (7469) before leaving home. Cancellations are updated online and via hotline one hour prior to the showtime.

The Summer Entertainment Series performances are provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers that contribute to the success of these entertainment series.

The Summer Entertainment Series is sponsored 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 Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Spend your summer at the lake! Lake Accotink Park in Springfield, Virginia, is hosting drop-in interviews every Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m., starting May 20 through June 10, 2025. Stop by the Visitor Center to explore job opportunities, complete an application and interview on the spot! No appointments are necessary!

Available positions include: Maintenance Assistant

Summer Benefits! Summer employees will have access to use any of FCPA’s Rec Centers and may be eligible for a $500 signing bonus*. Additional benefits include opportunities for advancement and a competitive salary.

Can’t make it to the drop-in interviews? No worries! View job ads and apply now for camp positions at the Nature and History Jobs webpage.

View all employment opportunities with FCPA at the Jobs website. 

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. For more information, contact the Park Authority at FCPAJOBS@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-324-8792.

*Terms, conditions, and applicable tax apply.

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.