At its meeting on May 28, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 20 individuals as 2025 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system:

• Tina Barber, South Run Rec Center, Landscaper
• Margaret Bauman, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Park Educator
• Steve Bezirganian, Providence Rec Center, General Support
• Tengfei (Elio) Cui, Cub Run Rec Center, Front Desk
• Eric DeTurk, Kings Park, Park Volunteer Team (PVT) Lead
• Dan Dyke, Colvin Run Mill, Maintenance Support/Docent
• David Eckhardt, Laurel Hill Golf Club, Course Starter
• Mary Gerrity, Twin Lakes Golf Course, Course Starter
• Nancy Herrman, George Washington Rec Center, Landscaper
• Dana Lee, Cultural Resources, Archaeological Collections
• George Lee, Franconia Rec Center, Front Desk/Special Events
• Frank Lewis, Audrey Moore Rec Center, Pottery Monitor
• Jean Lockhart, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Front Desk
• Lisa Marcantonio, Riverbend Park, Front Desk
• Steve Olson, Oakmont Rec Center, Maintenance/Landscaping Support
• Ashwin Patel, Spring Hill Rec Center, Front Desk
• Lewis Roth, Spring Hill Rec Center, Adapted Aquatics
• Elizabeth Train, Huntley Meadows Park, Roving Naturalist/General Support
• Carol Wolter, McLean Parks (Multiple Locations), Invasive Management Area Site Lead
• Emily Yi, Hidden Pond Nature Center, Youth Program Support

More than 10,000 volunteers contributed to the operation, preservation and conservation of Fairfax County parks in Fiscal Year 2025. They contributed 116,005 hours of volunteer service and their work is valued at over $3.88 million. The Park Authority could not function without the support and commitment of our volunteer force.

“Our parks meet the highest standard of beauty, safety, and accessibility in large part due to our volunteers. Their skill and passion, whether repairing trails, planting trees, or educating visitors, elevate every acre, every day,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole.

The Park Authority, joined by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, will honor all of its amazing volunteers with a special evening of music and celebration at the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Night taking place on Thursday, July 10, as part of the Government Center’s Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concert Series. The evening will kick off at 5:15 p.m. with a welcome and words of appreciation for our Outstanding Volunteers from Chairman McKay and Jai Cole. Following the opening remarks, enjoy a memorable performance by Pablo Perez El Alcalde de La Salsa.

The Evenings on the Ellipse series takes place on the lawn in the ellipse area directly behind the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax). The venue is outdoors on a grassy area, so attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chairs to comfortably enjoy the performance.

If there is any concern regarding weather on the night of the concert, please call the Park Authority’s hotline at 571-202-SHOW (7469) one hour before the start of the concert for a status update. Visit the Summer Entertainment Series webpage for more information on performances.