The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce that Observatory Park at Turner Farm has been designated an International Dark Sky Urban Night Sky Place by DarkSky International. The designation recognizes the park’s commitment to protecting the night sky through responsible outdoor lighting, community partnerships and public education.

Observatory Park at Turner Farm is one of only a few locations near Washington, D.C., where visitors can experience a relatively dark night sky. The designation highlights the park’s role as a regional resource for astronomy education and light pollution awareness.

"This designation reflects the Fairfax County Park Authority’s commitment to protecting natural resources that directly support the health and well-being of our community," said Jai Cole, executive director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. "By reducing light pollution, we are supporting wildlife, conserving energy and creating spaces where people can slow down, look up and feel connected to something bigger. That experience matters, and it is core to the mission of our parks."

To mark the designation, FCPA will host a Dark Sky education and celebration event on Friday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m. at Observatory Park at 925 Springvale Road in Great Falls. The event will include remarks from project partners, educational activities and opportunities to observe the night sky at this unique facility. In the event of rain, the celebration will be moved to Colvin Run Mill Education Center at 10017 Colvin Run Road in Great Falls.

Located about 16 miles west of Washington, D.C., the park benefits from lower surrounding light levels than much of the region. Its history includes use as a former U.S. Army Map Service and Defense Mapping Agency site, which contributed to early global positioning system development.

"Urban Night Sky Places like Observatory Park at Turner Farm demonstrate that meaningful night sky protection is possible even near major metropolitan areas," said Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places program manager for DarkSky International. "This designation reflects strong community support and long-term commitment to responsible lighting and public education."

Earning the Designation

To earn the Urban Night Sky Place designation, FCPA and its partners completed several key actions, including:

• Implementing a Lighting Management Plan focused on targeted, low-level and warm-spectrum lighting.
• Securing approval of a special lighting ordinance for a half-mile perimeter around the observatory in November 2023.
• Retrofitting park lighting with DarkSky-compliant fixtures and 2,700K bulbs.
• Expanding education and outreach programs related to astronomy and light pollution.

The park is operated in partnership with the Analemma Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering science education through astronomy. Since the roll top Observatory opened in 2016, nearly 23,000 visitors have participated in public programs, viewings and classes.

Visiting Observatory Park at Turner Farm

The park, equipped with a playground and picnic pavilion, is open daily from dawn to dusk. The Observatory access is available through public viewing nights, registered FCPA programs and permitted events. Visitors attending evening programs are encouraged to use red-light flashlights or device settings to protect night vision and wildlife.

About the International Dark Sky Places Program

Founded in 2001, the International Dark Sky Places Program is a voluntary program that encourages communities, parks and protected areas to preserve dark skies through effective lighting policies and public education. Observatory Park at Turner Farm now joins more than 250 International Dark Sky Places worldwide working to reduce light pollution and protect the night sky.

Learn more by visiting the Dark Sky website.