703-324-8700
TTY 711
Kirk Kincannon,
Executive Director
The Fairfax County Park Authoritywill hold a virtual public meeting on January 6, 2021, to discuss development plans for North Hill Park, located near the intersection of Richmond Highway and Dart Drive in Alexandria, Virginia.
At the meeting, the agency will present its development concept for the park and seek public feedback on the plan and potential park facilities.The…
The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will host a Virtual Summer Job Fair in January to start the hiring process for its Rec-PAC summer camp program and the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park.
This interactive information session for job seekers will take place via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, January 21, 2021, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Learn what it’s like to be a…
Fairfax County’s parkland has grown with a land acquisition in Reston, Virginia, located in the Hunter Mill Supervisory District.
Hunters East LLC has granted 7.03 acres to the Fairfax County Park Authority under a proffer agreement that calls for the property to be used for the development of an athletic field and other recreational amenities. The agreement assures the community will…
Bring some color and a touch of nature into your home all winter long with monthly floral design workshops at Green Spring Gardens. Certified floral designer Betty Ann Galway will lead seasonal workshops during the winter months with in-person and virtual options.
On Saturday, January 9, 2021, enjoy the “Floral Design Workshop: Winter Walk Vegetative Design.” Learn to create a…
Discover theancient origins of the moon gate in Chinese gardens and the value of this striking architectural feature todaywhen Green Spring Gardens presents “Moon Gates-The Power of Circles.”
During this virtual program onSunday, January 17, 2021, historian Debbie Waughwill presentstunning moon gates – traditional and contemporary – that form enticing passageways between garden…
Robert Frost waxed poetic about an evening walk in the winter but the late morning would have been just as lovely and warmer. Join a naturalist at Hidden Oaks to guide your family for a winter stroll and choose a theme to add to the fun. Learn about dinosaurs, tricky squirrels, animal adaptations or how American Indians would have managed during the winter chill. Your private walk will be…
Ring in the new year by celebrating 70 years of Fairfax County parks! First Hike Fairfax returns with special prizes just for the Park Authority’s 70th anniversary. This year, First Hike Fairfax will be a three-day event (Jan. 1-3, 2021) to help promote social distancing and prevent crowding on the trails on one day. Once again, the Park Authority joins America’s State Parks and Virginia State…
Celebrate an anniversary, learn to be a treedetectiveand enjoy a virtual tea with new offerings at the Park Authority’sVirtual Exploration Center.
The Park Authority is currently celebrating its 70thanniversary year, and fitness buffs helped to kick off activities on December 6 with exercises done in groups of 70, some while dressed in…
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…
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…
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…
Hikers and bikers and those using the Long Branch Stream Valley trail in the Smokewood Park area, located at 4120 Whitacre Road in Fairfax will need to follow the trail detour shown on the attached trail map due to the immediate closure of the steel pedestrian bridge located south of…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…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…
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…
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 placein 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.…
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…
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…