The Fairfax County Park Authority farmers markets are pleased to announce the 2022 hot foods pilot program for the remainder of this year’s market season.

You never know what lies behind the walls in old houses.

October is Virginia Archaeology Month.

Discover techniques to create your own art projects and drawings using gel pens, art markers, colored pencils and watercolors.

Using real and simulated skulls and bones, children ages 5-11 can discover secrets that skeletons unlock.

As the air gets crisp, the fun of fall abounds in the parks.

Families can learn proven strategies to encourage these amazing native flying squirrels to your treed backyard.

The 17th Venture Into Volunteering Fair has returned.

Add a dose of motivation to your workouts with Group Fitness Classes.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has initiated a master plan amendment process for Trailside Park, a 6.6-acre local park located at 6000 Trailside Drive in Springfield, Virginia.

The activity heats up as temperatures cool down on the farm. See all that’s happening as Farm Harvest Days returns to Frying Pan Farm Park Oct. 14 through Oct. 16, 2022.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) will honor McLean Youth Soccer Association (MYS) with a 2022 Eakin Philanthropy Award.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is developing a Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access Strategy (PROSA).

This weekend, you can renew your personal commitment to health and wellness. Healthy Together Fairfax (HTF) will be held on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022 from noon until 4 p.m. at Lee District Park.

Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park, a Fairfax County Park Authority business partner, located at the South Run Rec Center, is celebrating the change in seasons with a variety of fun, fall festivities throughout September and October.

Fairfax County Park Authority staff can help you find where the fish are biting with fishing reports.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board allocated funds to continue the popular Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Grant Program.

Are you spellbound by the lovely trees you see at Green Spring Gardens? Learn about them and about how you can add more fall beauty to your own garden at one of these upcoming programs.

Are you looking for a fun creative outlet for yourself or your family this fall? Consider signing up for a fine arts class at Green Spring Gardens in October.

Beginning next week, site prep work will start on a Fairfax County Park Authority project that will replace the asphalt surfacing, color coating, fencing and gates, net posts, footers, and nets at the Borge Street Park basketball courts.

In just about two weeks, a Fairfax County Park Authority trail improvement project will get underway on the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Difficult Run Park near the Dulles Access Road.

Join the Fairfax County Farmers Markets for the Fall Harvest Festival at four FCPA Farmers Market locations.

There are two Harold Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award recipients this year. The recipients include the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and the Friends of Lake Accotink Park.

Announcing the inaugural year of the Ghost Town event at Burke Lake Park.

Do you have a small space but big garden dreams?

We invite you to explore the hidden history revealed in quilts inspired by Native American and Indigenous culture and lifeways.

Enjoy nature-themed stories in different languages in the magical setting of the Children's Garden at Green Spring Gardens.

The closure is estimated to be about two weeks in duration.

Flying a kite seems simple, but there are strings attached to this fun activity.

This fall, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board will honor numerous volunteers for their service to parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board understands the value of demonstrating appreciation for the individuals and organizations that provide volunteer service to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Nature Playce at Fairfax County Park Authority’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center encourages outdoor play every day, plus an opportunity to get just a little bit dirty.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is taking part in this year’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz and is actively looking for volunteers to participate.

There are more than 330 species of hummingbirds in the Western Hemisphere, and the most common visitor east of the Great Plains is the ruby-throated hummingbird.

On Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, join us from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for the annual Family Fall Festival and Plant Sale at Green Spring Gardens!

Lewinsville Park is featuring Bug Fest on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The entire family will love this program designed to appeal to learners of all ages who love insects!

Are you starting to wonder how to overwinter your favorite tender perennials? Would you love to have a fresh supply of culinary herbs in your home or garden to add flavor to your home cooking? Two upcoming Green Spring programs can help you learn the basics!

Due to mechanical failures beyond our control, The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole in Reston is closed for the remainder of the season, effective immediately. 

UPDATE, Sept. 1, 2022: Due to The Water Mine's closure for the rest of the season, Dog Daze scheduled for Sept. 10, 2022 has been canceled.

Be the first one there! Join our 60th Anniversary Party at 10 a.m. and enjoy an extra hour of fun at Lake Accotink Park this weekend.

As you shift to your fall schedule and routines, there has never been a better time to use your local Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Rec Center.

In this month’s edition of artiFACTS, we discover the personal touch of those who labored to build a brick barn in Fairfax County.

As kids return to school and the seasons change, there are still opportunities to see amazing performers in a park near you.

Participants ages 4 and above are invited to learn more about this popular insect, its challenges and how to make a positive difference in your own backyard.

Join naturalists at Hidden Oaks Nature Center for a pretend dinosaur egg hunt after learning about the fossil record of sizes and shapes of real dinosaur eggs.

Green Spring Gardens has a special program for garden lovers like you.

Don’t fall behind on fall gardening! September is a great month to catch up on planting and gardening maintenance.

Grab a bag and go on a trash scavenger hunt as the Fairfax County Park Authority hosts Watershed Cleanup Days once again this fall.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board announced two recipients of the Elly Doyle Park Service Award for 2022.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin to replace the playground at Horsepen Run Stream Valley Park located on Burchlawn Street in Herndon, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) has named a foundation, an organization and a Park Authority Friends Group as recipients of this year’s Eakin Philanthropy Awards.

Huntley Meadows Park is looking for some very special volunteers.

Hispanic Heritage Month will be celebrated this September. In honor of this occasion, Fairfax County Park Authority Rec Centers are featuring Zumba classes.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, one of the Summer Entertainment Series’ favorite performances will take place.

Pack up the kids and jump in the car because on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022, there are three great performances in the parks perfect for children.

Walney Pond will be drawn down partially between Sept. 12 and Sept. 16, 2022.

Parks director completes systemwide tour. Join Fairfax County Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole on the last stop of her 420 parks tour for a community stewardship celebration at Lake Fairfax Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently in the design process for redevelopment of Mount Vernon Woods Park located at 4014 Fielding St. in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is pleased to announce the selection of Brendon Hanafin as the new Planning and Development Division Director.

It’s going to be weekends only at the Water Mine a bit earlier this year.

Save the date because Bill Kirchen is ready to perform at Arrowbrook Centre Park on Saturday, Aug. 20, 2022.

If you love jazz with a side of interesting interaction and content, join us for a Swamp Romp on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, at Frying Pan Farm Park.

On Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022 from 5 to 7:30 p.m., get ready for a memorable concert featuring Ruthie & the Wranglers.

The Audrey Moore Rec Center, the oldest of nine Fairfax County Park Authority recreational centers, will close its doors from Aug. 27 through Sept. 9, 2022, to address pressing facility maintenance needs, as well as its annual, routine pool whitecoat maintenance. 

During the remainder of August, the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center at Huntley Meadows will have modified hours on Monday, Thursday and Fridays.

The Fairfax County Park Authority received a land dedication on July 22, 2022, from Arrowbrook Centre LLC in the Dranesville District.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a Mastenbrook Grant request from the Great Falls Grange Foundation (GFGF) in the amount of $20,000 to help install a municipal-connected water line to service the Great Falls Grange.

A temporary closure of the parking lot across from Walney pond in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park will result in long-term benefits to the environment, as a green design is implemented at the new facility under construction located at 5301Walney Road in Centreville.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has more than 3 million artifacts and more than 33,000 of those interesting items came from one site. That one location was the Dulin site, located in the Holmes Run area.

On Saturday, Aug. 13, 2022, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., head out to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park for ParkeMon Community Day.

Green Spring Gardens is bursting with color and blooms of all kinds this month! Adults have a chance to experience the gardens in a more meaningful way this August, by signing up for a guided tour of the gardens.

Sully Historic Site is looking for volunteers! Hone your public speaking and organizational skills, while learning local history in a friendly environment surrounded by fellow history enthusiasts.

During National Golf Month, join us Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022, for a two-hour Golf Fit workshop taught by Laurie Strickland, golf conditioning specialist and CPT.

On Friday, Aug. 12, 2022, come out to see bluegrass royalty Leigh and Eric Gibson.

If you love the sound of the islands, you don’t want to miss this exciting performance on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022.

The Roadducks are a five-man rock band based in Northern Virginia.

Beat the heat this summer in a house built during the 18th century. Sully Historic Site is open for tours of the 1794 house all summer long.

Fairfax County Park Authority registration for fall classes and programs opens Aug. 2, 2022.

Lake Accotink Park is getting ready for its 60th anniversary celebration slated for Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022.

Come out to Frying Pan Farm Park for family fun and excitement, as the fair and carnival return Thursday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022.

Take a step back in time with a visit to historic Oak Hill Manor in Annandale.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin bridge replacement work in McLean Central Park in McLean, Virginia.

Celebrate National S’more Day on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, from 7 to 8 p.m. by learning more fun facts than you imagined existed about this popular gooey campfire treat.

What’s better than a drive-in movie? A movie and a children’s performance!

August is National Golf Month, a celebration that encourages golfers of all levels and experience to get out their clubs and tee it up at one of the seven public golf courses located throughout Fairfax County.

One Thursday, Aug. 4, 2022, The Seldom Scene will perform at Nottoway Park.

Why not start the new month with a great time at the Summer Entertainment Series on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2022?

Fairfax Water recently awarded Ellanor C. Lawrence Park Friends a Water Supply and Protection Grant in the amount of $1,437 in support of ECLP’s water quality monitoring program.

Calling all photography and garden lovers! Green Spring Gardens is hosting its first judged photography contest this summer, sponsored by the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS).

The Fairfax County Park Authority has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

In action at their regular meeting on July 13, 2022, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to name rectangular field 6 at Pine Ridge Park in honor of Wanda Rixon at the request of the Fairfax Women’s Soccer Association (FWSA).

On Thursday, July 28, 2022, head to Nottoway Park at 9537 Courthouse Road, Vienna, Virginia, for some of the best performances of the Summer Entertainment Series.

The Summer Entertainment Series is in full swing with performances at dozens of locations. Three outstanding concerts are set for Wednesday, July 27, 2022.

Get ready to party with the Skip Castro Band, performing on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, at Burke Lake Park in Fairfax Station, Virginia.

Fairfax County Farmers Markets will join farmers markets across the nation in celebration of National Farmers Market Week, Aug. 7-13, 2022.

Now is the time to rise up and support your local park system.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will honor 21 individual volunteers named 2022 Outstanding Volunteers and selected by their peers from across the park system.

Mark your calendars because the legendary Nighthawks are bringing their unbridled blues to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022.

Two-time Grammy winners Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer are an eclectic folk festival on their own terms. Join them Wednesday, July 20, 2022, as they perform at Mason District Park Amphitheater.

On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, get ready to remember the best music of the past with The English Channel.

Fairfax County will highlight and celebrate the Latino community’s love for the outdoors during Latino Conservation Week, which takes place July 16 to July 24, 2022.

One of Fairfax County’s oldest and most interesting buildings is undergoing repairs to address termite damage that has affected its log structure.

Come celebrate six decades of excellence at Lake Accotink Park.

It’s back better than ever! Here comes the fair and carnival, one of summer’s most iconic events and popular family traditions, returning Thursday, Aug. 4 through Sunday, Aug. 7, 2022. Join in the celebration brought to you by the Fairfax County Park Authority, Frying Pan Farm Park, The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park, the Park Foundation, Fairfax County 4-H, Virginia Cooperative Extension, and…

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series is in full swing! On Wednesday, July 13, 2022, there are several performances across the county. They are cost-free, nearby and lots of fun!

Those with disabilities and their families are invited to Fairfax County Park Authority’s sensory friendly events this summer at Our Special Harbor and The Water Mine.

If you love Americana Country, you will love the Randy Thompson Band coming to Burke Lake Park on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, for the Summer Entertainment Series.

Archaeologists recovered an old toy rocket at a site in Fairfax County.

The Combo Classic returns to Twin Lakes Golf Course, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 7 to Oct. 8, 2022.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring Rec-PAC leaders for our summer Rec-PAC program at 26 elementary schools across Fairfax County.

Green Spring Gardens celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020 and began making plans for a new Moon Gate Garden.

Latino Conservation Week is from July 16-24, 2022. Fairfax County will be celebrating the Latino community’s love of nature.

Join us at Frying Pan Farm Park as we celebrate Latino Conservation Week.

From Bolivian dancers to a children’s story along a trail, enjoy activities for all ages at Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s Grand Reopening celebration on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has began construction of North Hill Park at the North Hill Development located in Alexandria, Virginia, at the intersection of Richmond Highway and Dart Drive.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors elected officers to lead the fundraising arm for the Park Authority from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2024.

If you have an appreciation for jazz, swing and R&B, here come three performances in the Evenings on the Ellipse series that you’ll love!

Grab your dancing shoes and friends for a night in the park with upbeat performances at Hunter Mill Melodies at Frying Pan Farm Park!

Three great bands are sure to dazzle you this July as the Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series continues.

Just like Tarzan and Jane, the partnership between Go Ape and the Fairfax County Park Authority is one of those perfect unions.

Here comes Independence Day and in advance, a great show and lots of family fun!

For those who can't get enough of the beauty of hummingbirds, a group of local photographers are mounting an exhibition this summer at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria.

We are excited to bring Cultural Heritage Nights to Ossian Hall Park for the Summer Entertainment Series!

Grab your friends and family and come out to the parks this summer for three bands that you’ll love!

Mark your calendars for family fun in the park this weekend and beyond.

The Summer Entertainment Series lineup includes a wide range of styles and genres, including Indian dance, go-go and swing music.

Here comes Nottoway Nights, part of the Summer Entertainment Series.

Once again, the Fairfax County Park Authority, one of the largest and most diverse park systems in the region, has earned the appreciation of locals and been named several times in Northern Virginia Magazine's Best of 2022 list.

Check out what Park Authority archaeologists have been up to in the lab in the latest issue of the CART Newsletter.

It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what each of us can do to protect them.

Riverbend Park offers rentals of single kayaks for one-person, tandem kayaks for two-people, and canoes for up to three people.

Come out with the little ones for a fun morning with the Blue Sky Puppet Theater, The Great Zucchini and Marsha and the Positrons!

Blues, jazz and patriotism. Get ready for two evenings of fun this summer with the United States Army Blues and the National Concert Band of America!

Are the little ones already missing their friends this summer? Get them all together in the park for an incredible performance!

After months of repairs and conversion of existing courts to pickleball courts, it’s time to officially open the renewed and renovated Wakefield Park tennis and pickleball court complex. Pickleball is fast becoming one of the most popular sports around. That means a growing need for new courts and facilities to accommodate pickleball enthusiasts.   Please join us on Saturday, June 25, 2022, at…

Celebrate the summer solstice with a song (or two)! The mid-Atlantic's highly acclaimed pan-Celtic band IONA returns to Sully Historic Site for their first summer concert, after a two-year hiatus, Saturday, July 9, 2022. Listen to traditional Celtic tunes as well as song and dance music, arranged in their signature style for vocals, flute, fiddle, mandolin and more. 

From Bolivian dancers to a children’s story along a trail, enjoy activities for all ages at Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s Grand Reopening celebration on Saturday, July 16, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. All the activities indoors and outside are free and open to the public. Visitors will reap the benefits after the long wait of COVID closures and construction of new learning centers, additional…

There is still time to nominate an individual or organization for the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards. The Fairfax County Park Authority is extending the nomination period for honoring volunteers who work in our parks and support park programs and events. The new deadline will be extended until Friday, June 24, 2022.

Green Spring Gardens invites you to come and listen to our storytellers read nature-themed stories in different languages in the magical setting of the Children's Garden! Afterward, enjoy a walk around the gardens or a picnic. There will also be other children's activities and Ribbit the frog will make an appearance. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce two more exciting bands in the free Summer Entertainment Series lineup! Concertgoers are sure to be delighted by these two performances.

The Fairfax County Park Authority presents two more performances as part of the Summer Entertainment Series, and these talented musical groups with distinctly traditional roots are sure to wow you! Admission is free. 

On Saturday, June 25, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. to noon help Green Spring Gardens celebrate National Pollinator Week! In the evening, a second program will be held. From 5:30 to 7 p.m. adult participants can take an evening stroll through the gardens at Green Spring with curatorial horticulturist Brenda Skarphol to see eco-friendly and sustainable garden ideas.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is thrilled to bring you more performances that you’ll love in the Summer Entertainment Series lineup. The Silver Tones Swing Band will take the stage July 6, 2022 and bring you the classic swing hits from the 1940s, plus many more show-stopping tunes from the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. Admission is free.

June is National Great Outdoors Month, a celebration of the outdoors encouraging everyone to explore and enjoy time outside. This event began in 1998 as the Great Outdoors Week and expanded to a month-long celebration in 2004. National Great Outdoors Month became official when the U.S. Senate designated June 2019 as ‘Great Outdoors Month.’   

It’s the small details that often make archaeology so interesting. To most people, creamware sherds from tea sets or other vessels look pretty much the same. However, to the trained eye, a small asterisk or star symbol cut into the glazed surface of a piece of creamware tableware recovered in our community, speaks to the beliefs and traditions of enslaved people who once lived and worked here. 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) EBT cards can be used at select Fairfax County Farmers Markets. We match SNAP benefits so you can purchase fruits and vegetables for free!

Up next in the Arts in the Parks lineup is Mr. Lilo Gonzalez! The Fairfax County Park Authority invites you to come out on July 16, 2022, for a free performance that will simultaneously inspire and entertain the whole family.

Every summer, the Friends of Green Spring (FROGS) extend a special welcome to families in the community by hosting a free concert in the garden.

With golf season in full swing, Fairfax County Golf is hosting a variety of tournaments at multiple golf courses throughout the county! Compete for bragging rights and prizes and socialize with fellow golf lovers!

The summer of fun continues July 10, 2022, with a moving and highly energetic performance by SOLE Defined, the Washington Metro area’s leading arts organization that specializes in percussive dance. The Summer Entertainment Series is possible thanks to a strong partnership between Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, our volunteers, business sponsors, individual donors and the Fairfax County Park…

Oak Marr Rec Center in Oakton, Virginia will host its first summer Fitness and Wellness Open House this weekend. On Saturday, June 4, 2022, from 9 until 11 a.m. members of the public are invited to join in Fairfax County Park Authority’s celebration of possibilities; a chance to feel good and get into shape. Drop by and meet a registered dietician, health coach and personal trainers. 

The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring staff to support summer facilities and programs.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is excited to announce a facelift coming soon to the Wakefield Skate Park! Demolition of the old skate park is about to get underway. 

This June, when you buy an annual or month-to-month membership at any of our nine Rec Centers, you’ll be given a Family Adventure Pass.

To better serve park users at the park, construction of a permanent restroom facility is being proposed to replace the portable toilets.

If you love to fish and you want to spend a day at Burke Lake Park, this program is just right for you!

If you are seeking a place to drink alcohol, swim or wade in the water, or climb on rocks, Scott's Run Nature Preserve is not the place.

Check out these wonderful children’s programs!

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin a basketball lighting upgrade project this week at Chalet Woods Park.

Join us at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, June 18, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a Juneteenth celebration in the garden to honor the emancipation of those who had been enslaved in America.

Sully Historic Site will offer free Forgotten Road Tours as part of its commemoration of Juneteenth.

June is Women’s Golf Month and the Fairfax County Park Authority’s seven courses are celebrating with a variety of fun social events and specials for women golfers at all levels.

What’s better than sharing a few laughs and dancing the night away with friends this summer?

Summertime spells good times in the parks with the Summer Entertainment Series!

Mark your calendars now because Saturday, July 2, 2022 is really going to rock, and the crowds are going to gather!

There are two delicious programs slated for Saturday, June 11, 2022, at Green Spring Gardens.

Do you know of any exceptional volunteers in the Park Authority? If so, time is running out to give them the credit they deserve with an Elly Doyle Park Services Award.

The Fairfax County Park Authority FCPA Board approved $650,000 in funding for court improvements at Lewinsville Park in McLean, Virginia.

After a two-year hiatus, the Sully Antique Car Show returns on June 19, 2022.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series starts soon!

Joining the amazing June lineup for the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series (SES) are two bands you don’t want to miss!

Grab your sunscreen, favorite snacks and the kids for family fun in the parks this summer!

Interested in learning what Park Authority archaeologists have been up to this month?

Grow like a pro and join the team at Green Spring Gardens this summer and into fall for valuable workshops to improve those green thumbs.

National Trails Day is celebrated each year on the first Saturday in June.

National Pollinators Month arrives in June.

For developing a great new virtual summer camp planning resource for parents, the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will receive a 2022 Achievement Award.

In May, we celebrate Historic Preservation Month. Across the country, localities will hold events honoring historical places and showcasing those who roll up their sleeves to help preserve our heritage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin construction on the Lake Accotink Dam Stream Crossing Project (LADSC) at Lake Accotink Park located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield, Virginia.

The Linway Terrace tennis courts were resurfaced in fall 2021.

The Wakefield Park tennis and pickleball courts were resurfaced in fall 2021.

Some things are forever, such as the delightful scent of spring flowers or the perfumes and colognes which capture these essences.

Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series is back!

The aging courts at George Washington Park are being improved.

Families are invited to celebrate African American stories, food traditions, music and more at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, June 18, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Saturday, May 14, 2022, local garden vendors will be at Green Spring Gardens with beautiful and unusual plants to fill your spring gardening needs.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board will consider a funding request and approval of staff recommended court improvements at Lewinsville Park in McLean, Virginia, including the creation of a dedicated, multi-court pickleball facility.

Work is about to begin on a playground replacement project at Woodley Hills Park located at 8710 Old Mount Vernon Road in Mount Vernon.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is accepting registrations for Rec-PAC this summer at 30 elementary school locations across Fairfax County.

In honor of Earth Day, the Fairfax County Park Authority has launched a webpage to provide information and resources to encourage environmental stewardship.

If you love all things that are ancient, like to learn about different cultures, have a passion for history, and appreciate the careful, methodical approach to archaeology, the Fairfax County Park Authority has great news for you!

May is mental health awareness month and our Rec Centers have a few great ways to help improve your mood and reduce anxiety.

Golf Fairfax has Nine and Wine events across the county at courses ranging from beginner to advanced.

Sully Historic Site in Chantilly, Virginia, invites the public to view and comment on proposed waysides on the historic Cain’s Branch trail now through May 13, 2022.

To foster continued dialogue on the John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens Horticultural Park, the Park Authority has extended the deadline for public comment.

The Fairfax County Park Authority, in cooperation with the Mount Vernon District Supervisor’s Office will hold an informational briefing to discuss the approaching renovation and expansion schedule of the Mount Vernon Rec Center.

A new playground will open at Laurel Hill, and the public is invited to attend the opening celebration.

The Fairfax County Archaeology and Collections Branch (ACB) is launching a multi-year initiative to survey and record all historical cemeteries within the county.

Stream restoration within Royal Lake Park is set to begin.

Experienced riders, plus people who have never seen a horse in person, are all invited to the Horse Expo at Frying Pan Farm Park.

A cow wore this bell as she grazed at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly.

Be the first to earn the new Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital (GSCNC) official Dark Sky Patch.

On Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 10 to 11 a.m., celebrate the Earth at Green Spring Gardens.

Spring is finally here, and it is the perfect time to start adding some color and interest to your garden!

On Sunday, April 24, 2022, from 4 to 5 p.m., you have the chance to learn history in the historic Oakton schoolhouse, a Fairfax County Park Authority property.

Bring your family to Frying Pan Farm Park for a great day of food, fun activities and baby farm animals!

Enjoy mini golf and an egg hunt at Burke Lake Park.

Healthy Strides and the Rec Center team are joining forces to present two nutrition workshops to the community this April.

With an award-winning system of 420 parks, the Fairfax County Park Authority relies on the support of thousands of volunteers to support its programs and initiatives.

There is nothing as lovely as a visit to Colvin Run Mill in spring. However, it may now be a bit more difficult to reach Colvin Run Mill Historic Site due to highway construction.

The Access and Inclusion Branch of the Fairfax County Park Authority has opportunities to work in a wide variety of positions in various locations throughout Fairfax County.

On Thursday, April 21, 2022, from 4 to 5 p.m., enjoy a very special lecture and book signing.

National Poetry Month is a marvelous opportunity to celebrate the expressiveness, delight and pure charm of poetry.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is encouraging participation in the first annual One Dark Hour event.

The formal signing of an agreement between the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Great Falls Grange Foundation, which permits the foundation to operate and maintain the historic Great Falls Grange, has been rescheduled.

The Fairfax County Farmers Markets team is gearing up for the 2022 season.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched a new website celebrating the accomplishments and impact of extraordinary women who have shaped Fairfax County’s parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is taking part in this year’s international City Nature Challenge.

Youth with autism and their families are invited to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day at Lake Fairfax Park with a day of fishing.

Join us for a program sure to take local gardeners’ skills to the next level.

The amazing facts of the solar system may seem like an April Fool’s joke, but all the facts are true at Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s Solar System Investigation on Friday, April 1, 2022 from 10-11 a.m.

Scout counselors at Hidden Oaks are offering several Boy Scout merit badges over spring break.

Twin Lakes Golf Course introduces the inaugural Grand Slam, Play with a Pro Tournaments series.

Grist Mill Park is once again going to the dogs!

Cindy Walsh, director of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Park Services Division, will be honored by the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) with a 2022 NACPRO Awards.

Celebrate the Virginia bluebells that carpet the early spring forest!

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin the Popes Head Park playground replacement project, which will require closure of the playground during the construction period.

If you love scavenger hunts or have an artistic flair, consider these two fast-approaching programs at Green Spring Gardens.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) offers an array of spring break camps that are sure to be a hit with youngsters.

Park Board members granted $20,000 to FXA Sports to install fencing at Greenbriar Park at field 5.

Board members granted $17,189 to the Annandale North Springfield Little League (ANSLL) to replace the backstop at the diamond field at Americana Park.

A new community park will become a reality over the next several months. The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin construction of the Boyd A & Charlotte M Hogge Park located at 3139 Glen Carlyn Road in Falls Church, VA.

The $2 milliondollar project is funded via voter-approved park bonds. The contractor, Bright Construction Group, will be mobilizing on site shortly…

Come to the mill and experience history firsthand. The public is invited to join in the fun at Colvin Run Mill on Sunday, April 3, 2022, from 1 to 4 p.m. as the Miller’s House reopens. After extensive renovation, the house now offers an interactive design representing home life and in the early and late 1800s. The two lower rooms of the have house have been designed for guests to immerse…

The Fairfax County Park Authority wants trail users to be aware that a trail maintenance and repair project is getting underway. Tibbs Paving will be making repairs and paving the stretch of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail from Route 50 to Thaiss Memorial Park (City of Fairfax) beginning…

Time to kick-start your health and fitness routine? Spring ahead with your fitness goals at one of the Park Authority’s Rec Center fitness centers.

Take advantage of flexible membership options during our Rec Center Membership Pass Sale available now through March 31. This March, new and existing members – including one-day pass holders – will receive Healthy Strides swag for…

Looking for that perfect activity during Spring Break? Juniors ages 8-14 at all levels are invited to a fun-filled week of Junior Golf Camps, April 4 - 8, 2022, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Laurel Hill and Twin Lakes Golf courses.

The Eisman Academy’s team of professionals will host and entertain juniors with a variety of golf lessons, on-course play, etiquette overview, games and…

Golf weather is on the horizon and so is the Golf Fairfax Spring Pass Sale. Stock up on rounds at seven Park Authority golf locations, at the lowest rates of the season.

Between March 24 and April 8, 2022, save up to 25% when you purchase multi-round passes at Fairfax County Park Authority golf facilities, including the Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Oak Marr, Pinecrest and…

A new playground project is about to start. The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on a new playground at Laurel Hill Central Green.

The Park Authority will begin construction this week. It is anticipated that the playground replacement will be completed by early April 2022. The park is located at 8780 Lorton Road in Lorton, VA. Park users should expect traffic…

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Great Falls Grange Foundation will ratify an agreement, which permits the Great Falls Grange Foundation to operate and maintain the historic property.

Build a fairy house, make nature-based art and discover soil and water creatures at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon on Saturday, April 2, 2022.

On Monday, March 14, 2022, come celebrate Pi Day at Sully Historic Site.

This spring, the Fairfax County Park Authority is offering opportunities to geocache and learn about different caches in the county.

With the help of new scholarship opportunities, the doors opened wider for those who wish to run in the Health Strides 5K/10K but found entrance fees challenging.

The Resident Curator Evaluation Team for the Margaret White Gardens property will hold a virtual public meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, at 7 p.m.

The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park invite the public to participate in its 2022 photo contest.

The cold weather will be a mere memory soon. Spring, when something new blooms each day at Green Spring Gardens, is a great time for family programs, such as the monthly nature scavenger hunt or a topical nature walk of your choice.

There may be a bit of snow on the ground and cold weather in the forecast, but it’s time to start thinking about getting your garden ready for spring!

On Saturday, March 5, 2022, from 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., enjoy the "Watercolor Workshop – Pen and Ink," another informative program at Green Spring Gardens.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is currently recruiting volunteers to manage our 10 farmers markets across Fairfax County, Virginia.

February is Black History Month and serves as both a celebration and powerful reminder of the struggles, progress and accomplishments of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is hiring camp counselors and camp directors.

Executive Director Jai Cole is getting to know the Fairfax County Park Authority by touring all 420 county parks in her first year.

The Park Authority invites the community to provide further comments on the survey results, including Rec Center usage and desired improvements.

Fairfax County is facing an invasion from an aggressive plant species called wavyleaf basketgrass, and it’s encouraging everyone to join the fight against it.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors affirmed the selection of Jai Cole as Executive Director of the Park Authority today, voting to accept the recommendation of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. Cole, a park professional with more than two decades of leadership experience with award-winning recreation and park agencies will begin immediately, filling the vacancy created by the…

Renovations are scheduled to get underway around June 14, 2021, on the tennis courts at the Park Authority’s George Washington RECenter in Alexandria, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 5 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 5 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved three Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grants to be used for trail and field improvements and construction of a pump track.

Sully Historic Site is offering a unique opportunity in March for folks to stroll the historic house on their own with members of their family.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering a free scavenger hunt with video clues in the Cub Run Stream Valley. Grandmother Frost has lost her gifts for the woodland animals, and it’s your job to help her find the presents as you walk through the forest behind Cub Run RECenter. Videos at stops along the trail lead you to your goal and teach you about the animals in the…

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2020 at 5 p.m.

As the clocks roll back this fall, use some of that extra hour to take a step back in time. Go on a virtual tour of historic Oak Hill beginning at noon on Nov. 1, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board, a 12-member board appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to set policy and establish strategic policy and direction for the Park Authority, has approved its 2021 meeting schedule.

Just in time for the holidays, Green Spring Gardens' gift shop is now open for shopping by appointment only.

Explore the colors of fall at Green Spring Gardens on a customized, private family tour.

Decorate your home with colorful acorns that you create.

Oak Marr RECenter is welcoming all werewolves, vampires and goblins for a howling good evening of mini golf on Halloween weekend.

Treat your tastebuds to some Scotch whisky at two tasting events in the parks in November.

Take the “Mill Race Tour” on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, and trace the changes at Cabell’s Mill over its 250-year history.

Discover what critters are on the move in local parks after people go home for the day.

Give the kids a chance to relax with yoga in the gardens or give yourself a chance to turn garden fruits and vegetables into a beautiful home decoration. Green Spring Gardens is offering programs for kids and adults to enjoy on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020.

Visit artiFACTS this month and discover the story of an old-fashioned ballot box.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is offering a new series that allows families to enjoy personalized tours and programs on a date and time that work best for them.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host six polling locations on Nov. 3, 2020. These six sites will be closed to customers to facilitate voters. Other Park Authority sites will be open for business.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join in the national celebration of Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, by offering free admission to the RECenters to those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Last year’s First Hike Fairfax program, which drew hundreds of people onto local trails on New Year’s Day, has been honored by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) as the Best Health Initiative in the category for a population area greater than 200,000.

Spend a Sunday afternoon exploring the grounds of historic Colvin Run Mill and enjoy a free demonstration of the ancient art of blacksmithing.

Come to Lake Fairfax Park on Friday, Nov. 6, 2020, for an evening campfire and s’mores the whole family can enjoy.

Come to Burke Lake Park on a Monday in November for some “Family Fishing” time. Use that weekday break from school to see what you can catch.

Come to Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, and let botanical artist Dawn Flores teach you how to plan and execute an orchid-inspired painting.

Sully Historic Site is open for private tours! Each tour session will be reserved exclusively for one household, family group, pod, etc.

Family members of all ages are invited to celebrate the season by creating a scarecrow to use for a fall decoration.

The community has an opportunity to participate in an important survey that will help inform the Braddock Park master plan revision process.

This month, Green Spring Gardens is celebrating 50 years as one of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s premier destinations, and there are several ways you can join the fun.

Three Fairfax County parks are among the region’s favorites as chosen by readers of Washington Parent magazine this year.

Take advantage of the membership sale that’s going on now through Nov. 30, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020 at 5 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority wants to reel you in with its new website dedicated to fishing in and around the county.

If you’ve ever wondered why a moth is attracted to light, then come to the “Night Flyers Campfire” at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park and go mothing with a naturalist.

Want to know more about wildlife near your house or school? Bring the youngsters to Lewinsville House to learn about the plants, animals and habitats near you.

What better way to learn about “Nature Drawing” than on the nature trails at Huntley Meadows Park?

Keep the kids busy on their student holiday Nov. 2 and 3, 2020, with the “Best of Burke Lake Park” mini-camp.

Now that the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, it’s a great time to learn some astronomy basics to better enjoy those extra hours of dark skies.

Come to Lake Fairfax Park for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy.

Green Spring Gardens is offering two Garden Talks this fall that will help you give your garden an organic boost and improve your home’s curb appeal.

Root for your favorite cow when Frying Pan Farm Park hosts its first-ever NASCOW Race on Friday Oct. 16, 2020.

If you’re running out of ways to keep yourself and the kids entertained, use the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center this week to get ideas for real-world adventures in Fairfax County parks.

Pack up the family and head to Frying Pan Farm Park for a private twilight wagon ride this fall.

Experience the “Colors of the Fall” at Sully Historic Site as you go on a guided tour of hidden ruins throughout the property.

Set sail on a two-hour tour and go “Birding on the Boat” at Burke Lake Park.

An expansive new picnic shelter location is open and ready to host your family gatherings, staff meetings, parties and more at Laurel Hill Central Green.

Learn what archeologists discovered hiding under a brick floor on the historic Ash Grove property that was once owned by a member of the family that gave Fairfax County its name.

During the “Salamanders Undercover” program, learn about the secret lives of these important amphibians through hands-on discoveries.

Bring Virginia history to life for your fourth-grade student with the “Taux Trek at Huntley.”

Get to know some of the birds of Burke Lake Park and gain some basic identification skills that you can use to identify birds anywhere you see them.

Spend a Saturday morning soaking in the fall sights aboard a kayak at Lake Accotink Park.

Dig deeper into local history with the program, “Hidden in Your Backyard: The History of Cain’s Branch.”

Do some birding from the water with an early morning kayak adventure at Lake Accotink or Burke Lake Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin the Roundtree Park Tennis Court Repair project. Work will start on or about Sept. 23, 2020 and continue for approximately six weeks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020 at 5 p.m.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Fairfax County Park Authority, and activities are planned from now through next June to mark our 70 Years of Excellence.

This year, historic Oak Hill will open its doors to the public through a virtual tour in autumn.

The Fairfax County Park Authority held a well-attended, online information meeting regarding the proposed Long Branch Stream Valley Trail Maintenance project on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020.

Kids and parents, too, need a break from their screens once in a while. Zoom away from the computer and find suggestions for some family fun at the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

Come to Hidden Oaks Nature Center to explore the ancient world of dinosaurs in Dinoland.

Curious about what happens in nature after the sun sets? Get some answers in the “Nature at Night” program this fall at Riverbend Park.

Join the “Nature Photography at Dawn” class for adults to discover what critters awake with the sun, and learn how to capture them with your camera.

During the “Campfire Fridays” programs, explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations.

Join a naturalist at Riverbend Park to learn about some of the park’s native plants and discover why they are so important.

The Park Authority was founded on Dec. 6, 1950, and on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020, we will offer a series of virtual fitness programs to celebrate seven decades of parks and recreation in the county.

Visit a Fairfax County park for Virginia BioBlitz 2020. It’s an opportunity to discover the nature around you.

Take a break for a few hours and give the kids (and you) some fun at Fairfax County Parks every Monday. That’s right, Monday is now the new Fun Day!

Do your part to help the environment. Volunteer for a “Watershed Cleanup Days” event at a park or recreation center near you this fall.

Do your gardening muscles a favor. Try some “Virtual Yoga for Gardeners.”

They heard the call. Now you can hear how women have helped to preserve and protect parks, open spaces and the natural world.

Field trips aren’t just for kids anymore. Take the whole family on a field trip this fall to supplement screen time with in-person learning experiences.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has acquired an additional 12.0565 acres of parkland under a proffer agreement with the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority.

The Park Authority is offering a flash sale on fall classes. Register by Sept. 19, 2020 and save $8 on any program costing $45 or more.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is creating programs just for you. The park agency is offering virtual versions of its popular park programs, and many of them can be scheduled for your convenience.

Test your golfing talent with a championship challenge or by leaving some clubs at home in upcoming Park Authority golf tournaments.

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson has said, “The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” But if you want to try to make sense of it, start with a Park Authority webinar.

Learn about the distilling process, how ciders are made, and why these activities are mill-related at the “Stills and Cider” event at Colvin Run Mill.

See a side of Riverbend Park most humans don’t get to experience. Enjoy the park after dark with the “Nature at Night” program on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.

Make Monday your Fun Day this school year with programs designed for family members of all ages in Fairfax County Parks.

Visit Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s pond and peek inside the Little Acorner area to enjoy a new nature scene every week.

They may not be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, but Fairfax County has some pretty “Terrific Turtles” of its own.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 at 5 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has started a public planning process that will update the master plan for Braddock Park.

Take a stroll through the less-visited side of Huntley Meadows Park to uncover its history of spies and espionage. Learn how the Cold War struggle between the US and the former Soviet Union shaped Huntley and the Fairfax County we know today.

Spend a morning at Green Spring Gardens and enjoy an “Outdoor Storytelling” experience.

Preschoolers ages 4 to 5 benefit from daily outdoor play. Encourage their natural curiosity by exploring forest critters.

Bats may have a scary reputation, but they make our evenings more pleasant by gobbling up lots of bugs, such as mosquitoes, that like to bother humans.

Come to Lake Accotink Park for an evening campfire and s’mores the whole family can enjoy.

As summer draws to a close, welcome fall by spending some time outdoors at Huntley Meadows Park.

This fall, Historic Green Spring invites you to enjoy three virtual afternoon tea programs that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a virtual informational meeting regarding the proposed Long Branch Stream Valley Trail Maintenance project on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020 at 7 p.m.

Flit your way over to Hidden Oaks Nature Center/Annandale Community Park to the butterfly metamorphosis-themed playground.

Dig out your basket and stomp over to Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks Nature Center to enjoy an outdoor dinosaur program followed by an egg hunt.

Honor your furry friend on its national day and learn how teddy bears came into popular culture. Have your bear or buddy join you on an outdoor teddy bear picnic in Nature Playce and make a bear craft.

Join the Fairfax County Park Authority for a Virtual Dog Daze from Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 14, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is introducing programs designed to support online school education and homeschooling students.

This September Green Spring Gardens will once again offer garden-related programming sure to entice gardeners, those who appreciate beautiful things and people with a passion for history.

For the fourth consecutive year Laurel Hill Golf Club has been named one of Golfweek Magazine’s “Best Public Courses You Can Play” in Virginia.

Summer is almost over, but the music still heats up as the Fairfax County Park Authority’s virtual summer concert series approaches the finish line with six great performances.

After a monthslong, pandemic-related hiatus, Parktakes programs and classes are scheduled to resume this fall!

Trinity Centre and 1-66 Express Mobility Partners are being honored with a 2020 Eakin Philanthropy Award for their commitment to co-sponsor the Park Authority’s Starlight Cinema Summer Entertainment Series.

The Hwang Family will be honored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) for their support of county parks and park programs. Family members will receive the 2020 Eakin Philanthropy Award in the Individual category at a virtual ceremony in November.

As the nation celebrates the 100th Anniversary of women gaining the right to vote, artiFACTS salutes a woman important to Fairfax County history.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s historic sites will begin programming once again, bringing the magic of local history outside, inside and virtually with a focus on family tours, safety and limited indoor access.

The Friends of Riverbend Park is being honored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation for its generous support of Riverbend Park programs and projects.

Dominion Energy will be honored with a 2020 Eakin Philanthropy Award for its support of Fairfax County parks through the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

See what you can learn from a puppet, take a garden stroll or work up a sweat with a fitness workout via the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s virtual summer concert series pulls out all the stops with a blockbuster lineup.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s virtual summer concert series roll on this week with a diverse lineup of performers.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and the Resident Curator Evaluation Team for the Lahey Lost Valley property will host a virtual public meeting via Zoom on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020 at 10 a.m. to score the Resident Curator Program application received for the Lahey Lost Valley property and determine the selection outcome.

The votes are in and once again, the Fairfax County Park Authority has been named among the top in Virginia Living Magazine’s Best of Virginia 2020 competition.

There’s never been a better time to get fit at a Park Authority RECenter. Take advantage of the pass sale that’s going on now through Sept. 30, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority in partnership with Springfield/South County Youth Club (SYC) will soon begin Field #3 lighting installation at Hooes Road Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has voted to name a pollinator garden at Lake Accotink Park in honor of lifelong educator, naturalist, gardener and community volunteer Margaret Kinder.

Take your green thumb on a shopping spree at Green Spring Gardens. Green Spring’s Garden Gate Plant Shop will open for limited hours starting on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s virtual summer concert series continues this week with a variety of musical styles to suit all ages.

Historic Green Spring invites you to enjoy an afternoon tea program from the comfort of your home on Sunday, Aug. 23, 2020. You supply the kettle, and Green Spring can do the rest.

Huntley Meadows Park offers the perfect backdrop for two different nature drawing courses this August.

Feeling anxious about outdoor group activities these days? Relax with a personalized program for just your family at a Fairfax County park.

The meadow at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park is a-buzz with bug life. Come on a “Meadow Bug Hunt” on Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, and capture and release amazing insects and other arthropods.

Join a virtual program from the folks at Hidden Pond Nature Center to learn why it’s important to keep streams and creeks healthy and discover how to gauge their health.

Take a break from the constant stream of virtual meetings to get the office crew back together again safely with an outdoor meeting at Frying Pan Farm Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority announced the selection of Stephanie Leedom, who will serve as Director of the Park Planning and Development Division.

Cathy Ledec will be honored with the 2020 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award for 17 years of volunteer service at Huntley Meadows Park and for the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has become certified as a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. This designation serves as a welcome sign for veterans seeking employment with the agency.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin the Mason District Park Basketball Court Repair project. Work will start next month and continue for approximately four weeks.

Head into the woods on a twilight adventure at Hidden Pond Nature Center that will let you see spiders that are active by day, as well as those coming out for the evening.

Discover natural wonders in a virtual summer geology camp led by staff at Riverbend Park.

There’s a lot going on under the surface at Burke Lake. Come to the park for “Life in the Lake” and see some of the small critters that make the lake their home.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week the first week in August with a visit to one of the county’s producer-only farmers markets.

August is National Golf Month and a great chance to celebrate with Golf Fairfax.

Round up the kids and head to Frying Pan Farm Park for a safe and private single-family wagon ride tour of the park.

While shoppers scrambled to find cleaning products to protect against COVID-19, Fairfax County archaeologists were harboring a gallon bottle of a much sought-after bleach. Only problem, the bottle was 60 years old – and empty!

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board will honor the Meridian Group with the Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award for its work on Quantum Field in Tysons.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the Rolling Valley West Court Repair Project at Rolling Valley West Park.

Your favorite Park Authority group fitness classes with your favorite fitness instructors will be holding virtual classes beginning on Aug. 3, 2020.

Beginning July 30, the Fairfax County Park Authority will livestream 25 free summer concert events featuring a mix of nationally known performers and singer-songwriters.

Take a break from the summer’s heat and cool off with a little ice skating at the Mount Vernon RECenter.

Explore the riparian forest of the Pohick Stream Valley on a “Stream Valley Hike” at Hidden Pond Nature Center.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin trail improvement work on trails in Long Branch Stream Valley Park and Rutherford Park in Burke.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will honor six individuals and groups with 2020 Elly Doyle Park Service Special Recognition Awards at a virtual volunteer celebration in November.

Volunteers from Colvin Run Mill, Frying Pan Farm Park and the Olander and Margaret Banks Neighborhood Park will be honored for their outstanding service contributions as recipients of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2020 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards.

With the continued opening of RECenters at a modified pace, Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is pleased to announce the return of our Learn to Swim classes starting Aug. 1, 2020.

A Springfield, Virginia, teenager described as an “all-round volunteer dynamo” is the 2020 Youth recipient of a Fairfax County Park Authority Elly Doyle Park Service Awards.

Delve into Huntley Meadows Park’s history and prehistoric past as you examine the lives of the Tauxenent and other First Americans in this region.

Search for small items such as fungus, seeds, flowers, feathers, bugs and more on a 30-minute stroll at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Stir up your summer with the “Science for Wizards Virtual Camp” the week of July 27-31, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, this is a virtual meeting.

The Public Links, Inc, a nonprofit arm of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 22, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. Three Fairfax County Park Authority Board Members will be in the meeting.

Nineteen Fairfax County Park Authority volunteers will be honored as Outstanding Volunteers at the 2020 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards virtual celebration in November.

Virtual concerts will be held Thursday through Sunday evenings at 7:30 p.m., and children’s shows will be held on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. A schedule of virtual events will be released later this month.

Explore the riparian forest of the Pohick Stream Valley on a “Stream Valley Hike” at Hidden Pond Nature Center.

Learn about the lives of the monarch butterflies that visit Fairfax County each year on their long aerial treks.

Discover how culture and nature were intertwined in life as a Powhatan through a virtual summer camp with the folks at Huntley Meadows Park.

The Eisman Golf Academy (EGA) has opened the Eisman Performance Center at Laurel Hill Golf Club.

Come to Burke Lake Park and discover what’s super about snakes in the “Super Snakes” program on Monday, July 20, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is still looking for enthusiastic workers to fill seasonal positions now that COVID-19 safety restrictions are being eased and park facilities are reopening under Gov. Ralph Northam’s phased Forward Virginia Blueprint.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has started a public planning process that will revise the master plan for Braddock Park. This 61-acre district park is in Clifton, Virginia.

The Resident Curator Program (RCP) is designed to preserve historic properties by offering long-term leases to qualified tenants who agree to rehabilitate and maintain these historic resources. A curator can be a private citizen, a nonprofit entity or a for-profit entity.

Families can choose to meet a special live nature center critter, explore the stream, dip for tadpoles or meet a caterpillar along with a personalized naturalist-led woodland walk along the Old Oak Trail at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Parenting or teaching is never easy, and during the pandemic the challenges can be greater. It is time to move outside with the children. To prepare for the adventure, join the Fairfax County Park Authority online.

Get outside and see Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in a different light this summer at an evening campfire program.

Outdoor programs are back at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park! What could be safer or more fun than a grand adventure for just you and your family?

Carousels are once again spinning at parks in Fairfax County, and the Burke Lake Park train is choo-chooing along the rails. Take the kids for a ride on your next park outing!

The Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors has electedofficers to lead as the fundraising arm for the Park Authority from July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 at its May 19, 2020annualmeeting.

Michael Gailliot was elected as Chair for the new term. He is a real estate professionalwithCentury 21 New Millennium in Alexandria, Virginia. Gailliot has volunteered with and…

The Fairfax County Park Authority has two job openings at Green Spring Gardens for applicants with a passion for farmers markets and public gardens.

Green Spring is currently accepting applications for a Farmers Market Coordinator to coordinate the operation of 10 seasonal farmers markets throughout Fairfax County and oversee special events, such as Farmers Market Week and Fall…

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at 5 p.m. Due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, this is a virtual meeting. You can watch the meeting here or listen by calling 855-925-2801 and entering the access code: 8081.

The Board will recess for closed session during the…

July is Park and Recreation Month around the nation, and this year’s theme from the National Park and Recreation Association is “We Are Parks and Recreation.”

In keeping with the theme, this month the Fairfax County Park Authority will be shining a spotlight on some of the many staff members who provide vital services in our…

Take a break from the virtual world and get outdoors with programs in the parks. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is offering programs for families and individuals in July and August that will allow you to experience nature in person – not via a screen.

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is offering hikes for up to nine family members. During “Nature Your Way at Hidden Oaks,” a…

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is looking for nearly 150 enthusiastic workers to fill seasonal positions at the agency now that COVID-19 safety restrictions are being eased and park facilities are reopening under Gov. Ralph Northam’s phased Forward Virginia Blueprint.

Have fun and get paid while enjoying the park system this summer. Many positions are primarily outdoors…

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s (FCPA) nine RECenters will reopen to the public over the next several weeks as the region moves into Phase Three of Gov. Ralph Northam’s Forward Virginia Blueprint.

Pinecrest Golf Courseannouncesthe return ofFootGolf-- this weekend --on July 4, 2020.FootGolf will be available on Saturdays and Sundays after 3 p.m.With the safety of allplayers and staffasthepriority,new safety guidelineshave been implemented based on recommendationsput forth by the Centersfor Disease Controland PreventionandThe American FootGolf League.

FootGolfcombines two…

The Park Authority’s Picnic Locator 2.0 is here! A new version of one of our most popular web applications makes it easier than ever to locate and reserve a picnic spot in a Fairfax County park.

With the new application, picnickers can now make reservations online. Visitors to the locator site can use filters to find the rental facility that best meets…

Get your fitness fix with the Park Authority’s new Outdoor Group Fitness Classes. The Park Authority is launching a series of outdoor exercise classes starting on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at RECenter locations across the county.

Finding pickleball courts in Fairfax County parks just got easier.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a reallocation of funds to continue the Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant Program and has also approved grants for projects at Frying Pan Farm Park and Observatory Park at The Turner Farm.

The Fairfax County Park Board has approved a plan for the distribution of funds from the $100 million Park Bond that is scheduled to appear on the ballot in the upcoming November election.

While the Park Authority’s usual summer camps at RECenters, nature centers and local parks and schools cannot be held in-person this summer due to COVID-19, kids can still enjoy a great summer of fun and learning with all new virtual camps.

This week, the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center is putting the animals of Hidden Oaks Nature Center in the spotlight through a series of videos.

Swing into summer with upcoming tournaments hosted by Golf Fairfax. Get your practice rounds in and take your game to the next level!

Drive back in time to a working farm in Herndon, Virginia. Take a driving tour of Frying Pan Farm Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Go on a virtual field trip to Frying Pan Farm Park and get eye-to-eye with a cow and her calf at the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is extending the nomination period for honoring those who volunteer in parks and support agency programs and initiatives.

Kurt Louis has been named the new Director for Park Operations for the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Some facilities at Jefferson District Park will remain closed through July due to construction work getting underway this month.

Welcome to, or back to, Huntley Meadows Park! As the Fairfax County Park Authority continues to reopen, please come and enjoy our trails.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin opening additional amenities to the public on Friday, June 12, 2020, as the region moves into Phase Two of Gov. Ralph Northam’s Forward Virginia Blueprint for reopening.

The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) has selected The Lazar Family as a recipient of a 2020 NACPRO Award in the Outstanding Contributor category.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Farmers Market in Herndon will open for the season on Thursday, June 18, 2020.

Today it’s easy to snap a selfie if you want a portrait of yourself. In the nation’s early years, people would turn to silhouette artists if they wanted a cheap and fast portrait.

In this month’s edition of artiFACTS, discover how silhouettes got their name and learn about the person who came to be associated with…

The Fairfax County Golf Academies are thrilled to announce the return of private lessons and small group classes at five Fairfax County Park Authority facilities.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is being honored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) for an innovative program that helps to strengthen services for residents by embracing staff ideas for innovation and change.

Fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods and more will soon be available at four additional Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets. Markets at Oak Marr, Annandale, McLean and Kingstowne have now been scheduled to open.

Experiment with a new paper craft, challenge yourself with a picture and word game, or give your core a workout with a visit to the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

Crank up your computer. The annual Antique Car Show at Sully Historic Site will be an online gathering.

Green Spring Gardens is now offering phone orders and curbside pickup of plants from its Garden Gate Plant Shop.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s seven courses are celebrating Women’s Golf Month with a variety of fun social events and specials to celebrate our growing network of women golfers.

Keep dad out of the rough this Father’s Day with special savings and events. Surprise dad with a friendly tournament, rounds of golf, gift cards or quality gear!

Beginning today, face coverings must be worn inside public spaces. For the Fairfax County Park Authority, this currently means anyone who visits a Park Authority golf course clubhouse, or other indoor space would fall under Virginia Governor Ralph Northam’s Executive Order 63. This effects players or visitors as well as park staff members. As other public facilities open, this rule will…

Challenge yourself to a new workout, find a unique activity for the kids and explore the beauty of Green Spring Gardens from the Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center. The website is filled with ideas to entertain everyone in the family.

The flume and wheel that power grinding operations at Colvin Run Mill are going to be replaced.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series will be canceled through July due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Fourth of July events have been canceled, too.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has been honored with six awards from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC).

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS), and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) are announcing the reopening of outdoor athletic fields in Fairfax County for unpermitted use as part of Forward Virginia Phase 1 for Northern Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Two more Fairfax County Farmers Markets will open next week. The Wakefield Market in Wakefield Park will open for the season on Wednesday, May 27, 2020, and the Lorton Market at the Lorton VRE parking lot will open on Sunday, May 31, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA), and the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services (NCS) are announcing the cancelation of 2020 summer camp programs due to the COVID-19 crisis. Included in these cancellations are all FCPA sponsored summer camp programs, REC-Pac programs held at local schools, summer camp programs sponsored by NCS and SACC programs.

Collectively, these…

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will not open its premier outdoor water attractions this summer due to COVID-19.

Use your love of gardening to help those in need.

The county’s Providence District Office is working with Food for Others to encourage gardeners who are planting fruits, vegetables and herbs this spring to consider dedicating some garden space to donations.

Pledge to “Plant a Row” at this ...

Get ready for the greatest golf savings of the season with the Golf Fairfax Spring Pass savings spectacular. The more you play, the more you save!

Now through June 21, 2020, save up to 25% when you purchase multi-round passes at Fairfax County Park Authority golf facilities, including the Burke Lake, Greendale, Jefferson, Oak Marr, Pinecrest…

The Mount Air Historic Site is best known for an 18th-century mansion that once graced the property. A recent archaeological discovery at the site points to a much older past.

Check out the new look of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

The Park Authority has begun reopening of parking lots and parks in the park system to be open for the Memorial Day weekend. Park Authority staff will begin the process of clearing barricades and opening parking lots at all 427 parks for our community on Wednesday, May 20 through Friday, May 22. These parks will reopen for limited use in accordance with COVID-19 safety guidelines from the…

Work associated with an approaching sanitary sewer replacement project within Pohick Stream Valley Park on parcels adjacent to Williamsburg Square neighborhood in Lorton, Virginia, is set to begin.

Add a taste of old-fashioned goodness to your baking and cooking. The 200-year-old Colvin Run Mill is set to begin selling its stone-ground products at the Reston Farmers Market.

Stay healthy, connected and engaged while parks are closed by checking out the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Virtual Exploration Center.

The Summer Entertainment Series will be canceled through June 2020 due to public safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fairfax County Park Authority golf courses and driving ranges will reopen in May. This is the start of a phased reopening of park amenities that so far includes trail, farmers markets and garden plots as state restrictions aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 disease are eased. These sites will open as follows:

May 8: Burke Lake Golf Center, Greendale Golf Course, Laurel Hill…

A new picnic shelter will be coming to Burke Lake Park with the help of a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on a new trail in Flatlick Stream Valley Park in Chantilly.

This week, new features have been added to the Virtual Exploration Center to give your family a workout, challenge the kids with scavenger hunts and help you delve into county history from the comfort of your couch.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the replacement of the Area 1 Maintenance Facility located at 1929 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will open some of its farmers markets in May. This year’s markets will again offer delicious, locally grown, farm-fresh products. Three markets will open initially, with others phased in as resources allow.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s April 22, 2020, Board Meeting has been rescheduled to Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 5 pm. In light of current social distancing recommendations, the meeting will be held in virtual format accessible via livestream.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation celebrated Earth Day with a virtual poetry showcase recognizing the winners of the 2020 Fairfax Parks student poetry contest.

You can recognize volunteer’s invaluable contributions with a nomination for an Elly Doyle Park Service Award, Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award, Elly Doyle Youth Award, Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award, Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award, or Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award. Anyone can submit nominations.

The Fairfax County Park Authority just added more than 11 acres of land to its holdings in fiscal year 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority salutes its invaluable volunteers as the nation celebrates Volunteer Appreciation Week April 19-25.

Laurel Hill Golf Club’s newly launched virtual store brings its fully stocked pro shop straight to you! Customers can view items online or set up a virtual in-store shopping experience with a personal shopper. The pro shop features everything a golfer needs to play a round of golf, from sunglasses to apparel to golf balls.

Browse the online selection of performance technology polo…

Spring is the perfect time to dust off your camera and head outside to capture images of budding trees, wildflowers and baby animals. Let the April issue of the Snapshots e-newsletter inspire you with photos from Fairfax County parks.

If you want to experiment a little with photo processing, Snapshot offers tips on how to use…

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has canceled its regular meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, 2020, and will instead be holding a virtual, electronic meeting on Wednesday, April 29 at 5 p.m.

More information regarding the agenda and how the public can view this meeting will be forthcoming.We appreciate your patience as we refine our digital meeting platform and…

Whether you’re looking for an on-demand workout, activities to entertain the kids, or historical tidbits about Fairfax County, check out the Park Authority’s new Virtual Exploration Center.

Visit artiFACTS and learn about beautiful Japanese Imari ware and how it was used for entertaining.

The Fairfax County Park Authority cares about your health and wellness and so does our RECenter fitness partner Les Mills.

During this time of COVID-19 awareness and social distancing, please be aware that sports activities, of all kinds, except for use of trails are prohibited at Park Authority locations.

Use your extra time at home this spring to become an armchair archaeologist or couch curator with a visit to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s artiFACTS website.

A temporary storage site will be established at Boyd A. & Charlotte M. Hogge Park in Falls Church, Virginia, to help with a construction project in the area.

Observe s o c i a l d i s t a n c i n g while you’re being sociable in parks.

Although park facilities are closed, parks are open, and the Fairfax County Park Authority is asking you to observe government guidelines to limit your group size to fewer than 10 people during the current world pandemic. One of the key tactics to limiting the spread of coronavirus is social distancing,…

The Lake Accotink Master Plan Revision community meeting at Cardinal Forest Elementary School scheduled for Tuesday, March 31, 2020, and the community meeting at the large waterfront pavilion in Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, April 18, 2020, are postponed indefinitely, due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) safety precautions.

Public input continues to play a big role in developing a vision…

The Fairfax County Park Authority has postponed two public meetings of its Resident Curator Program Evaluation Team for the Lahey Lost Valley property in Vienna, Va. As a result, the period for public comment on a resident curator application for the Lahey Lost Valley site has been extended.

The postponed meetings were set for Monday March 23, 2020, and Monday, March 30 in the…

While Park Authority RECenters are temporarily closed, you can stay active and reduce stress by exercising at home.

Try “Everyday Tai Chi” or choose from four “Everyday Yoga” classes. They can be livestreamed on Channel 16 television at the air times listed below or viewed online by clicking on the…

The Fairfax County Park Authority has extended the deadline for the 2020 Parks Poetry Contest. Entries will now be due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.The previous deadline was March 13.

The extended deadline will allow students in grades K-8 to work on entries over the weekend and on the March 16 Teacher Workday just announced by Fairfax County Public Schools, while also…

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has reappointed James P. Zook to the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. The action came at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will hold a community meeting Tuesday, March 31, 2020, to provide an update on the Lake Accotink Park Master Plan Revision.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant to refurbish the equestrian ring surface at Turner Farm Park.

A memorial plaque will be installed at Great Falls Grange Park in honor of the late Bob Lundegard.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has confirmed the appointment of Laura Eakin Erlacher to the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board.

Meet local live owls up close and personal! Come to the “Festival of Owls” at Huntley Meadows Park on Saturday, March 14, 2020.

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is pleased to announce that Fairfax County has been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to participate as a pilot community implementing the Move Your Way campaign.

Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren, and the Fairfax County Park Authority wants to know what it can do to help grandparents connect their grandchildren with nature.

A Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant will be used to help control invasive plants in the Turkeycock Run Stream Valley.

Discover the improvements and new facilities that have come to your local Fairfax County parks.

Make Smokey Bear proud and register for the “Campfire Safety for Families” program.

Discover how you can capture the beauty of Huntley Meadows Park with “Nature Photography At Dawn.”

Fairfax County Park Authority summer camps are winners! They have once again been named in Northern Virginia Magazine’s Best Summer Camps list. 

Sully Historic Site is pleased to announce the seventh year of the Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship program.

Indulge in some pie with a scoop of history on the side on Pi Day 2020 -- Saturday, March 14.

In this month’s addition to the artiFACTS website, read about a ladies’ spencer that was used as a family’s dress-up costume for decades before its historic importance was documented by the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Dorothy may have worried about lions and tigers and bears, but you have nothing to fear at the “Nebulas, Star Clusters & Galaxies, Oh My!” program at Turner Farm Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation invite students in grades K-8 to enter the 2020 Fairfax Parks Poetry Contest in honor of National Poetry Month in April.

This meeting provides an opportunity for the applicant to present a proposal to the evaluation team in a public forum.

Take a walk back in time as “Blacksmithing Demonstrations” return to Colvin Run Mill on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

Come to the mill and watch as the blacksmith fires up his forge and works with hammer and tongs to make iron tools and utensils. This free program is suitable for all ages and runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations are required.

Blacksmithing is weather and…

Hear the tales of the ambitious “Yertle the Turtle” and the envious “Gertrude McFuzz” as Hidden Oaks Nature Center celebrates the birthday of the children’s writer known as Dr. Seuss.

Naturalists will read the stories of these fictional critters and show how real woodland creatures share some of the storybook animals’ talents. Participants can meet live animals and make a…

With the data-gathering methods available to everyone these days, gardeners and nature lovers everywhere can provide critical information to scientists in this changing world. Discover how you can help with the “Citizen Science for Gardeners and Nature Lovers” program at Green Spring Gardens.

Bird migration, butterfly numbers, invasive plant spread, and insect populations are just…

Stroll the less-visited side of Huntley Meadows Park to uncover a history of spies and espionage. Learn how the Cold War struggle between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union shaped Huntley and the Fairfax County we know today.

The “Secrets, Spies, Sputniks and Huntley” program includes a 2.4-mile walk over flat terrain. It runs from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, February 24, 2020,…

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors reappointed two members of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board to four-year terms. Dr. Cynthia Jacobs Carter will return as the representative for the Lee District, and Marguerite (Maggie) F. Godbold will continue to represent the Sully District. The action came at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, January 28, 2020.

Dr. Carter was…

Discover what it takes to turn sap into maple syrup for your waffles and pancakes. Come to the “Maple Syrup Boil-Down” at Colvin Run Mill on Sunday, March 1, 2020.

The sap is rising at this time of year, and trees at Colvin Run have been tapped to capture the drip, drip, drip of sap from the tree. Bundle up and watch as that sap is boiled down into sweet syrup over an outdoor,…

Show off those new holiday pajamas at the “Animal Pajama Party” at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Sunday, February 16, 2020.

Children age 3 to 7 are invited to put on their PJs and get ready for bed along with some woodland critters. There will be bedtime stories and a chance to meet the nature center’s animals and bid them goodnight. Kids are welcome to bring their own stuffed…

Discover ways to maintain an interesting garden year-round at the 16th annual “EcoSavvy Symposium” at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, February 15, 2020.

This year, the topic will be: The Four Season Garden-Sensational Ornamental and Edibles All Year Long. Author and columnist Marianne Wilburn and Smithsonian Gardens Horticulture Collections Manager Cindy Brown will share ways to…

It may be cold outside, but it’s time to think about summer, and more specifically about summer camp for your children! Who is thinking about summer? You should! Registration for summer camps begins next Tuesday, February 4, 2020. Recently voted as one of Northern Virginia Magazine’s Best Summer Camps 2020, the Fairfax County Park Authority offers more than 2,000 summer day camp options at…

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is among the organizations that have been honored by the Fairfax County Tree Commission with an award for tree preservation.

Commission members voted to present the Tree Conservation Award for Tree Preservation to the team of agencies and consultants that worked on the Difficult Run at Brittenford Drive Stream Restoration Project. Urban…

Railroad lines through Fairfax County were critical to both Union and Confederate troops during the Civil War, and remnants of those lines are being preserved in some Fairfax County parks. In this month’s edition of artiFACTS, learn about a segment of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad that was documented at Lake Accotink Park. County archeologists are…

A new playground is coming to Annandale Community Park. At its meeting on January 22, 2020, the Fairfax County Park Board approved a plan to demolish the current playground, which has exceeded its life cycle, and build a new playground that meets accessibility requirements and is located closer to the existing rentable…

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) andtheMcLean Project for the Arts(MPA)will host apublic open house to discuss the potential for development of anarts and education center at Clemyjontri Park. The meetingwill be held onMonday,February 24, 2020, with the open house at 6:30 p.m. and a presentationandcommunitydiscussionat7 p.m. The meeting will take place​in MPA's Emerson…

Green Spring Gardens turns 50 year this, and to help celebrate its golden anniversary, the park is hosting “A Half Century of Headlines: Lecture and Tea.”

Come to the historic house and test yourself with a fun quiz on momentous milestones of the past. Revisit 50 years of world headlines, from the transformative to the trivial, and hear about some headlines made at Green Spring.…

Help feed your feathered friends this winter with the “Make Your Own Pinecone Birdfeeders!” program at Riverbend Park.

Find out what birds stick around through the winter and make and take home a pinecone bird feeder to help them get through the cold. Learn about the common birds that may visit your feeder.

The program is being offered on two Saturdays in February –…

Get into the Valentine’s Day spirit with the “Animal Sweethearts Dance” at Hidden Pond Nature Center on Saturday, February 8, 2020. It’s the social event of Hidden Pond’s winter season!

Bring your youngster to the nature center for a morning of dancing, refreshments and crafts. There will be costumed animal characters, as well as live animals to entertain. The program runs from 10…

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board elected officers for 2020 in January.

At its meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, the Board voted to return William G. Bouie, who represents the Hunter Mill District, to his 12th term as chairman. Providence District Representative Ken Quincy will serve again as vice chairman. Michael W. Thompson, Jr., of the Springfield District, returns…

For the second year running, Burke Lake Golf Center's driving range was recognizedas one of the Top 50 Public Ranges by Golf Range Magazine, apublication of the Golf Range Association of America (GRAA) and the Professional Golf Association (PGA).

Each year GRAArecognizes theteaching professionals, public, private and stand-alone rangeswhose achievements stood out.

GRAA…

Winter can be a beautiful time of year to take photos in Fairfax County parks, and the January issue of the Snapshots e-newsletter offers some tips on how to get you and your camera ready for a cold or snowy day.

Get inspired by the winners of the annual First Hike photo contest and see some award-winning nature photos shot…

Learn basic wilderness survival skills, cook a meal over a campfire or study the art of fire-building in outdoor programs on Sunday, February 15, 2020, in county parks.

Huntley Meadows Park is offering “Wilderness Survival Skills 101” to get you ready for your next venture into the wild. In this program, learn how to build a fire, read a compass and set up a tent for shelter. The…

Some water birds stick around all winter and others merely pass through our region. Go on a “Winter Waterfowl Hike” at Riverbend Park on Friday, February 7, 2020, and see what birds you can find.

Bird lovers age 14 to adult are invited to hike with a naturalist to search for winter waterfowl along the Upper Potomac River. Participants should bring binoculars and spotting scopes.…

NOTICE: Making Stone Soup at Frying Pan Farm Park has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Nothing warms you up faster in winter than a hot bowl of soup, and making homemade soup from scratch can be easy. Learn how at the “Making Stone Soup” class at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, February 22, 2020.

Your group will create a soup based on the children’s…

Celebrate Green Spring’s 50th anniversary with a garden tour featuring the park’s signature shrub. This docent-led tour will showcase Green Spring Gardens’ nationally-accredited witch hazel collection featuring more than 200 specimens that bloom from fall through March. After the tour, warm up in the Historic House with hot drinks.

The “Garden Tour-Winter Witch Hazels” program is…

Enjoy a traditional English tea as you learn about etiquette for nobility at the “Royal Manners” Lecture and Tea” on Sunday, February 23, 2020.

Hear about codes of diplomatic decorum and dictates of British royal protocol, past and present. Learn the complex rules of etiquette to follow when in the presence of royalty and the surprising rules the royals must follow as well. This…

Celebrate the day that only comes around every four years. This Leap Day, go on a guided tour of the forest and wetland habitats at Huntley Meadows Park. Learn about common winter wildlife and where to find critters in the park at this time of year.

The “Leap Day Wilderness Walk” runs from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 29, 2020. It’s designed for participants age four to…

Discover flying squirrels and lovesick woodcocks in park programs on Saturday, February 22, 2020.

At the “Family Woodcock Walk” at Huntley Meadows Park, listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship display and flight. Be ready for an approximately 1.5-mile walk on uneven terrain, and don’t forget to bring a flashlight. This event is designed for…

Who is thinking about summer? You should! Registration for summer camps begins Tuesday, February 4, 2020. The Fairfax County Park Authority offers more than 2,000 summer day camp options for kids ages 3 to 17 at over 100 locations including RECenters, nature centers, historic sites, lakefront parks, golf courses and schools.

Want to make sure you get the popular camp your child…

The Fairfax County Park Authority has scheduled an opportunity for comments on the agency’s proposed 2020 fee adjustments. The public is invited to share their perspectives on the proposals with the Park Authority Board on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at 7 p.m. in the Park Authority Board Room 941 on the ninth floor of the Herrity Building located at 12055 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax,…

Set off on a search for hidden treasure at Lake Fairfax Park after learning how to put your Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to work.

At the “Geocaching Workshop” on Saturday, February 8, 2020, students age eight to adult will learn how to enter latitude and longitude coordinates into a GPS. Treasure hunters will then follow the coordinates to find a hidden object, container…

During this winter’s lecture series at Green Spring Gardens, hear from the gardener who’s carrying on in the spirit of Bunny Mellon at the Oak Spring Garden.

Rachel “Bunny” Mellon was a gardener, artist and icon who created countless gardens for famous friends and family, including the White House Rose Garden and the Potager du Roi at Versailles. Her most intimate garden was the…

Dress for the weather and plan to get messy at an old-fashioned taffy pull at Frying Pan Farm Park.

Come to the “Old-fashioned Candy Making Party!” on Saturday, February 8, 2020, and make new friends as you make candy and sample refreshments from the olden days. Historic farm interpreters will lead a program that includes exhibits of an early 20th-century farmhouse, a brief…

Your pet may wear a sweater when it gets cold outside, but what do animals in the wild do to stay warm? Get some answers at the “Winter Wonder Campfire” at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park on Friday, January 24, 2020.

Bundle yourself up and get ready to learn some animal strategies for surviving winter. Meet some of the park’s exhibit animals and find out how they cope with the cold and…

Celebrate Chinese New Year with games, stories and crafts at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Saturday, January 25, 2020.

Come to the park for the “Chinese New Year-Year of the Rat” party. Ring in the Year of the Rat by participating in a Ribbon Dance and a Dragon Parade. The program runs from 2 to 3 p.m., and the cost is $8 per person. This event is designed for family members age…

On January 1, 2020, hundreds of people rang in the new year by hiking in Fairfax County parks. The Fairfax County Park Authority received nearly 200 entries in our annual First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest. Judges chose the top 18 photos for inclusion in the People’s Choice category and voting is now open! Visit ...

The new year brings opportunity for change and that rings true for the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Facebook page.

Effective Tuesday, January 7, 2020, the Park Authority’s Facebook handle has changed to @fairfaxparks. The link to the Facebook page has therefore changed to: www.facebook.com/fairfaxparks. This…

Laurel Hill Golf Club invites guests, 21 years and older, to kick off the new Sip Series; classes and events that mix art and history with food, wine and spirits. Enjoy an afternoon with local experts as well as the expertise of Laurel Hill’s catering staff. Events are open to the public.

Sláinte! Scotch lovers rejoice on Saturday, February 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Sip &…

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the Spring Lane Park Playground Replacement Project, which will force closure of the playground during the construction period.

Contractors will be mobilizing on site shortly with active construction activities beginning in January. The project includes replacement of the playground equipment and related site work.…

Ice cream didn’t always come from the freezer section of your local supermarket. Visit Ellanor C. Lawrence Park on Saturday, January 25, 2020, and learn the old-fashioned way of “Making Ice & Ice Cream at Walney.”

Crank ice cream as you discover how ice was harvested and stored on a 19th century farm. Try your hand at using ice tongs. The program runs from 2 to 3 p.m. and is…

Fill a chilly February evening with hikes, hot cocoa, s’mores and campfires at a park.

On Saturday, February 1, 2020, Huntley Meadows Park is hosting a “Hot Cocoa Wetland Night Hike” for participants age six to adult. Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a winter wetland tour after dark. Look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter…

NOTICE: Investigating owls at Hidden Oaks Nature Center has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Barred Owls. Screech Owls. Great Horned Owls.

They are all owls whoooo live in this area. Learn more about them at the “Investigating Owls” program for adults at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Monday, January 13, 2020.

Hear about the different owl species…

How does maple syrup get from the tree to your breakfast table? See the old-fashioned process from beginning to end at the “Maple Syrup Boil-Down at Colvin Run Mill.”

When the sap starts to rise, the maple trees are tapped at Colvin Run and the drip, drip, drip begins. Now, it’s sugaring time! Bundle up, watch and learn as sap is boiled down into sweet syrup over an outdoor, open…

Experience the bright super moon rising in the sky as you take an evening boardwalk stroll at Huntley Meadows Park.

On the night of a super moon, the moon will be at its closest approach to Earth and the full moon often appears to be larger than usual. Take a “Super Moon Hike” at the park from 7:45 to 9:15 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, 2020. This program is designed for participants…

The Fairfax County Park Authority and Washington Gardener Magazine are co-hosting the 15th Annual Seed Exchange at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, February 1, 2020.

Stop by for gardening lectures, a seed swap and more. Bring your extra seeds to swap and leave with a bag full of seeds, new garden friends and expert planting advice.

The “Washington Gardener Seed…

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant that will help purchase new canoes for Riverbend Park. The Park Board awarded the $3,000 grant to the Friends of Riverbend Park (FORB) at its regular meeting on Wednesday, July 25, 2018.

FORB requested the grant money to replace ten existing canoes that were purchased in 2010. The canoes…