Park Authority

This winter’s extreme cold caused the lake to freeze over and heavy snowfall further delayed progress on the dam assessment. With improved weather conditions, we have resumed lowering the lake and are working to schedule the inspection. If conditions remain favorable and no unexpected issues arise, the inspection is expected to be completed, and the lake will begin refilling in early to mid-spring. The time required for the lake to return to its normal level will depend on regional precipitation.

Earlier this fall, the Fairfax County Park Authority began an assessment of the Lake Accotink dam. Regular assessments of the dam structure are conducted every few years to evaluate structural integrity and identify any potential needs for maintenance and/or repair. Lowering the water level by up to 5 feet is necessary to perform an adequate inspection of the structure.

Since Oct. 11, the water level at the lake has been lowered by approximately 2 feet, with the removal of debris along the top of the dam wall and flashboards. Unfortunately, when divers inspected the sluice gates at the base of the dam, they found that a large amount of debris had accumulated. This debris must be removed before being able to safely operate the gates to drain the remaining water and to complete the assessment. We expect the evaluation of the dam to be completed in February 2025, weather permitting.

Once the dam assessment is complete, it may take up to two months for water levels to return to their original state, depending on weather conditions. The Park Authority anticipates that the dam assessment will be completed in advance of the spring opening of the marina. Until that time, the marina and dam area will continue to be fenced with warning signs in place to remind park patrons to keep off the exposed lakebed as a safety precaution.

Lake Accotink is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield, Virginia. For more information about the project, please contact the Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Park Authority is repairing the trail at Foxstone Park. The repairs will include milling and paving the existing trail, as well as culvert repair along the entire trail from Old Courthouse Road to Creek Crossing Road.

Weather permitting, the repairs are expected to be completed by Nov.8. The park will remain open during construction, but the basketball court and playground along the trail will not be accessible while the work is ongoing.

Community members are encouraged to use FCPA’s Trail Buddy App to identify alternative trails to utilize during the closure. Additionally, the Park Amenity Locator can be helpful in identifying alternate basketball courts and playgrounds nearby.

Questions about this project can be directed to the project manager Kelly Davis via email at kelly.davis@fairfaxcounty.gov or the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority for Aqua Flex’24 – a showcase of the broad range of water aerobics offerings at Park Authority Rec Centers – on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. This free event will be held simultaneously at the Audrey Moore, Oakmont and Franconia rec centers. 

Instructors will lead participants through a series of aquatics exercise class demonstration for adults of all fitness levels. This is the perfect opportunity to check out a variety of fitness offerings in various styles and intensities. Enjoy this one-time free event and learn more about discounted Aqua Flex pass bundles to continue your fitness journey.

Aqua Flex passes are available in 10-visit, 20-visit and 30-visit bundles to join any aquatics exercise class at any Park Authority Rec Center, space permitting. Use these visits for drop-in water exercise classes, as well as to drop in on any water exercise class listed in Parktakes.

Throughout November, get a 15% discount when purchasing the 30-visit Aqua Flex pass or a 10% discount when purchasing the 20-visit Aqua Flex pass.

Get fit while having fun in the pool this fall! Sign up for the event and purchase your pass at the Swimming webpage.

Register for Aqua Flex

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is evaluating proposed fee adjustments for the 2025 calendar year. The proposed 2025 fee adjustments and presentation materials are available at the Proposed Park Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 2025 website. The board welcomes online comments and feedback from the community on that website. Comments must be submitted by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024.

More than 60% of the funds required to operate Fairfax County’s park system – from camps and classes to facility, amenity and grounds – are generated through park fees. Each year, the Park Authority reviews its fee structure with the goal of minimizing fee impacts on our visitors, while safeguarding the financial stability of our park system and the ability to provide the outstanding programs and services our community has come to expect.

Following the close of the public comment period, the Park Authority Board is expected to consider the 2025 Park Fee Adjustments at their scheduled meeting on Dec. 11, 2024. Approved fees will be made effective Jan. 1, 2025.

For more information about the Park Authority’s proposed 2025 Park Fee Adjustments and to submit comments, go to the 2025 Proposed Park Fee Adjustments website.

In a world increasingly dominated by technology and urban landscapes, parks have emerged as a vital sanctuary for inspiring and nurturing creativity. The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to join with ArtsFairfax to encourage this connection through Poetry in the Parks, an initiative created by outgoing Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra. The partnership aims to showcase the unique ways in which parks can serve as a canvas for creativity, culminating in a collection of works inspired by these green spaces.

To help achieve that mission, the Park Authority and ArtsFairfax are announcing the unveiling of new interpretive signs at Riverbend Park and Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (located in the Dranesville and Sully districts respectively) on Friday, Nov. 1. In addition to connecting creativity with nature through poems specifically selected by the Fairfax County Poet Laureate for each location, the new placards contain writing prompts and an invitation for creators to submit their creative writing, poetry and illustrations to ArtsFairfax’s “Poetry in the Parks” digital collection.

Join the Park Authority, ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Supervisors Jimmy Bierman (Dranesville District) and Kathy Smith (Sully District) to celebrate the unveiling of this new park feature dedicated to igniting the creative spirit within us all.

• When: Friday, Nov. 1, 2024
• Time: 4:30 p.m.
• Where: Woodlands Stewardship Education Center; 5301 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 20151

For additional information about this upcoming event, please contact the Park Authority Communications Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is evaluating an application for the curatorship of the historic Ash Grove house, located in the Hunter Mill District at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane, Vienna. As part of this process, the public is invited to provide input and ask questions during a public comment period and at an upcoming public meeting.

To accommodate broader participation, the public meeting, originally scheduled for in-person attendance only, will now also offer a virtual participation option. The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 at the Patrick Henry Library (101 Maple Ave. E, Vienna), and interested individuals may join virtually by watching the livestream and submitting comments online at https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/ash-grove.

The meeting will provide an overview of the Resident Curator Program, details of the curator application for the Ash Grove house, and an opportunity for community members to ask questions, either in person or virtually.

Public comments will be accepted online and by mail through Thursday, Nov. 14 at 5 p.m. Information on submitting comments can be found at https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/ash-grove.

The Park Authority will also hold several livestreamed work sessions as part of the evaluation process. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 10 a.m. (if needed), and Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 10 a.m. The work sessions will be available for public viewing but will not include a public comment period. Recordings will be made available following each session.

Ash Grove, built in 1790 by the Fairfax family, is one of the few remaining 18th-century houses in Virginia. The property includes historic structures, such as a restored 18th-century brick kitchen and smokehouse.

For more information on the Resident Curator Program or the Ash Grove curatorship application, visit the Resident Curator Program website, or contact Stephanie Langton, manager of the Resident Curator Program, at 703-324-8791.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority and Supervisor Rodney Lusk for an afternoon of free outdoor fun on Monday, Nov. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Muddy Hole Farm Park located at 7941 Kidd St. in Alexandria.

The festivities will feature the Wonder Wagon, the Park Authority’s Mobile Nature Center, offering engaging activities, games, and hands-on experiences for all ages and will also commemorate the official ribbon-cutting for the new playground at the park. Bring your family and friends to explore the wonders of nature right in your neighborhood!

Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, celebrate your community, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon!

For questions about this event, contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is repairing the basketball courts at Ridgeview Park and Tysons Pimmit Park. The basketball court improvements at both locations will include installation of new goals, crack repairs, a 2-inch overlay on the asphalt and line painting.

Contractors mobilized at Ridgeview Park this week, and weather permitting, active construction is anticipated to be completed by the first week of November. Contractors will mobilize at Tysons Pimmit Park during the week of Oct. 29, with active construction expected to conclude by the second week of November. Both parks will remain open during the construction.

Residents are encouraged to use the Park Amenity Locator to identify alternative courts to use during the construction.

Ridgeview Park is located at 4112 Duvawn St. in Alexandria and Tysons Pimmit Park is located at 2026 Burfoot St. in Falls Church.

Questions regarding this project can be directed to Project Manager Marcos Suarez by calling 571-595-2762 or emailing Marcos.Suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov. Questions may also be directed to the Communications Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

The Fairfax County Park Authority offers exciting camp opportunities throughout the year when schools are not in session. As schools close for student holidays this winter, embrace the chance to try something new with more than 75 one- and two-day camps covering a wide range of interests.

Bake up some sweet treats or enjoy outdoor adventures. Exercise your creative side or explore the wonderful world of science and technology. There’s a wealth of experiences to enjoy.

Winter camps are scheduled for:

• Monday, Dec. 23
• Thursday-Friday, Dec. 26-27
• Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 30-31
• Thursday-Friday, Jan. 2-3
• Monday, Jan. 20
• Wednesday, Jan. 29
• Monday, Feb. 17

Registration for winter camps is open now. Don’t miss the chance to get a spot in your top choice camp. Visit the Camps website for more information. 

View the Winter Camp Guide for a list of camps

Register for winter camps

The Fairfax County Park Authority is now accepting public comments on the proposed curatorship of the historic Ash Grove house in Vienna. Community members are encouraged to submit their comments online or by U.S. mail before Nov. 15. There will also be an opportunity to share comments and ask questions about the proposed curatorship at an in-person public meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at the Patrick Henery Library located at 101 Maple Ave. E, Vienna.

Ash Grove is one of the few standing 18th-century Virginia houses and was built by the Fairfax family. Thomas Fairfax built the original portion of the house in 1790, and the family inhabited the house until 1847. The house sits on approximately one acre of land between the densely wooded Old Courthouse Spring Branch stream valley and the Westwood Village townhouse subdivision. The property’s grounds have several historic structures, including the house and restored 18th-century brick kitchen and smokehouse.

The applicant, who recently completed a 12-year restoration of the Fairpoint Harbor West Lighthouse in Ohio, is proposing to restore the Ash Grove property in accordance with the 2024 Treatment Plan for use as their primary residence. Additionally, the applicant proposes public access to Ash Grove through an annual open house event, scheduled tours and a social media presence. Details pertaining to the proposed curator application and opportunities for submitting public comments are available at https://engage.fairfaxcounty.gov/ash-grove.

The Resident Curator Program offers long-term lease agreements to qualified tenants in beautiful public park settings. The curator leases are without charge in exchange for financial commitment and approved rehabilitation of the Park Authority’s underutilized historic properties.

Learn more at by visiting the Resident Curator Program website. For additional questions, contact Stephanie Langton, manager of the Resident Curator Program, at 703-324-8791.