The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 5 p.m.

With 22 themed gardens stretching across 31 acres, you can always find a burst of color to enjoy at Green Spring Gardens. Learn what’s blooming each month of the year by visiting the new “What’s In Bloom” webpage.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant requests from Annandale North Springfield Little League, Falls Church Kiwanis Little League and Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) to improve park ball fields and build park information kiosks.

The Park Authority’s Healthy Strides program is all about building a community of movers – people who are moving their bodies and strengthening their minds for better health.

Stopping for a snack at Burke Lake’s newly renovated ice cream parlor is like putting a cherry on top of your day at the park.

Looking for a unique gift for Mom on her special day? Get the family together for a private program at Sully Historic Site.

From slime to tornadoes, there are lots of science topics to explore during the “Outdoor Science Lab at Huntley” series in May.

Discover a view for all time during a private tour of Historic Huntley with up to nine of your favorite people.

Green Spring Gardens is offering two special ways to celebrate Mother’s Day this year.

You may love them or hate them, but snakes are important residents of Fairfax County.

The “Run of the Mill Class” at Colvin Run Mill is anything but run of the mill.

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

Folks throughout the world will be celebrating Earth Day 2021 from April 20 to April 22, and this year, the theme is “Together, We can Restore Our Earth.”

Demolition work will begin at Bren Mar Park on Collier Lane and Edsall Road in Alexandria, Virginia, as the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) removes a home on the property.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will host watch parties for the premiere of virtual open house videos featuring tours of two historic properties through the county’s Resident Curator Program.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled on Sunday, May 2, 2021, so spectators can witness the new waterwheel at Colvin Run Mill take its first turns and grind its first grains.

Register for an introduction to cicadas. Bring your questions to this outdoor program and meet a cicada larva on your own terms.

Smartphones are for more than selfies. Discover how to take the best nature photos on your phone with the “Smartphone Nature Photography Workshop” at Green Spring Gardens.

Discover what nature can add to your artwork with the “Painting with Nature” class at Colvin Run Mill.

Grab your binoculars and pull up a seat for April’s “Topics in Astronomy Webinar.”

Put a little pizzazz into your next nature walk with a tricked-out hiking stick.

If the fish won’t come to you on the shoreline, learn how to go to them with a class on kayak fishing at Lake Mercer Park.

Whether you’re an extreme early bird or night owl, Burke Lake Park has just the program for you.

Explore science beyond the classroom with a “Science Enrichment” program at Hidden Pond Nature Center.

These programs are designed to supplement online and classroom science instruction with hands-on activities tailored to specific elementary grade levels. The 45-minute programs run on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, May 3, 2021, with a focus on a different grade level each…

Green Spring Gardens is celebrating National Poetry Month in April by hosting a colorful Poetry Scavenger Hunt throughout its beautiful spring gardens.

Nine student poets have been named winners in the 2021 Fairfax Parks Student Poetry Contest.

The public restrooms at Greenbriar Park and Poplar Park will close temporarily, beginning on Monday, April 12, 2021, to allow for renovations.

Millions of students turned to online learning when the pandemic hit last year, but this month’s featured item in artiFACTS shows that tools to help kids learn from home were being made as far back as Benjamin Franklin’s day.

Put the sippy cup aside and see how pearlware mugs were once used to aid in a child’s education. The April addition to the artiFACTSwebsite shows how youngsters…

The public restrooms at the Burke Lake Park Marina will close temporarily beginning on Wednesday, April 7, 2021, to allow for renovations.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 5 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin maintenance work in the next few weeks at Linway Terrace Park located at 6246 Linway Terrace in McLean, Virginia

“We don’t accept animal donations,” explains Frying Pan Farm Park Manager Nicole Mitchell.

Spring is in the air, and that means it’s time to reopen Park Authority amusements and facilities that have been closed for the winter.

Whether you want to explore the spring ephemeral wildflowers, search for salamanders, compare wiggly tadpoles or look for animal homes, the naturalist at Hidden Oaks can create a program just for your family.

Bring history to life for your elementary school students with a private “Field Trip for All” to Sully Historic Site.

Go to infinity and beyond with a webinar on star maps and a virtual tour of the night sky.

Spring is here and at Riverbend Park that means BLUEBELLS!

Put your vows to the test at the “For Better or Worse Couples Tournament” at Burke Lake Golf Course.

The public is invited to attend a Public Comment Meeting on Monday, April 26, 2021, at 7 p.m.

A dedication ceremony will be held at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, April 17, 2021, for the new Margaret Kinder Education and Pollinator Garden.

Much like beautiful spring flowers, the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Farmers Markets will begin to open in April 2021.

It’s fun to spend a whole morning or a whole afternoon at Frying Pan Farm Park!

Turn your next walk in the woods into an exciting scavenger hunt on the parkland behind Cub Run RECenter.

This Federal style villa has a connection to America’s hard-won independence, and a story all its own.

Go off trail with a naturalist at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park to learn about the pawpaw’s historical and ecological importance to Virginia.

Put a colorful zing into your family’s wardrobe with the “Natural Tie-Dye” program at Sully Historic Site on Wednesday, April 21 and Sunday, April 25, 2021.

Spark an early interest in science with an “Outdoor Science Lab at Huntley.”

With school field trips on hold, the Park Authority is offering a series of “Field Trips for All” to supplement online and classroom instruction, and Hidden Oaks Nature Center is offering “Monarchs” as part of the program.

Spend a Sunday afternoon aboard a kayak in search of that perfect catch.

Green Spring Gardens is offering two ways to get your creative juices flowing with virtual programs on Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Return to the era of rotary phones, bell bottoms, disco and chia pets with a “Virtual Afternoon Tea: Salute to the Seventies.”

The gates to Lake Mercer Park will open on Saturday, April 17, 2021, to allow a limited number of people to launch their kayaks, canoes or other nonmotorized boats onto the water.

Start your weekend off right with the warmth and crackle of a campfire at Lake Accotink Park.

They may not be teenage mutant ninja warriors, but Fairfax County parks still have some terrific turtles.

FCPA is now hiring to fill over 200 seasonal positions for the upcoming summer.

The Park Authority’s Healthy Strides program is launching a new storytelling project called “I Love Parks” -- the theme of the annual 5K/10K/Kids Dash scheduled for Saturday, May 1, 2021.

Don’t just share your beautiful farm photos on Instagram; enter them in the first-ever photo contest being hosted by the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park!

Recognizing the work and service of our many wonderful volunteers is critical.

Hidden somewhere in Green Spring Gardens is a geocache.

Green Spring Gardens is offering two programs this spring with official links to the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Enjoy a virtual Japanese-themed afternoon tea or get tips on creating a Japanese style garden for your home.

Fairfax County Park Authority’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center staff partnered with Northrop Grumman Corporation and Fairfax County Park Foundation to enable elementary-age children to benefit from mini virtual field trips.

Take a one-mile walk along Walney Creek from its source at the Spring House to its end at Big Rocky Run.

Become a “House Detective” at Historic Huntley and see if you can solve some of the mysteries surrounding this historic home.

Work on developing your photography skills with the “Nature Photography for Beginners” class at Lake Fairfax Park.

April is time for “Watershed Cleanup Days” in Fairfax County Parks, and there are plenty of places that need your help to clean up our local waterways.

Help your children begin to discover the wonders of nature with the “Tots in the Woods” program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Treat your taste buds on Saturday, April 3, 2021, as Green Spring Gardens presents “Tasting: Chocolate from Around the World.”

Curious about kayaking? Give it a try with the “Intro to Kayaking” class at Lake Accotink Park.

Explore the moon with your feet planted firmly on Earth. Join the “Exploring the Moon Webinar” on Monday, April 19, 2021.

With their short life span, vernal pools are one of the most fascinating and elusive ecosystems at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Hidden Pond Nature Center is offering seventh graders a chance to get involved with nature.

Phone-order plant sales with curbside pickup is now available at Green Spring Gardens.

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

The Park Authority will host a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, to review plans and seek comment on a proposed canopy mounted solar array in the Laurel Hill Golf Club parking lot.

The public is invited to view a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the dedication of a new bridge in Gabrielson Gardens at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Oakton, Virginia. Join us via YouTube on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 10 a.m. to celebrate the first day of spring and the dedication of Burnet Bridge.

The Fairfax County Park Authority just began a reconstruction project at Stephen Foster Park tennis courts located at Walt Whitman Middle School in Alexandria, Virginia. Work began last week and will continue for approximately three months.

Get park information targeted to your specific interests with the Fairfax County Park Authority’s E-news website. The Park Authority produces a host of information releases and e-newsletters covering topics such as camps, classes, boating, farmers markets, fishing, gardening, history, nature, RECenters, trails and volunteering.

Spend some special time with your family on a private tour of Huntley Meadows Park on Thursday, April 1, 2021.

This webinar covers some of the common and uncommon phenomena you may see in the sky during the day or night, such as rainbows, haloes and glories.

Hidden Pond Nature Center in the heart of Springfield, Virginia, is offering a single program that presents a sampling of the activities that Hidden Pond is known for.

Discover hidden historical ruins overlooked by most visitors as you walk the trails around Sully Historic Site on this guided tour!

Hidden Pond Nature Center is offering you a chance to supplement your child's online science education with hands-on programs that are tailored to their age group.

Come to tea and discover your sense of wabi-sabi, the Japanese art of finding beauty in the naturally imperfect world.

Time is limited, so act now to purchase a pass for discounted rounds of golf at Fairfax County golf courses.

Assist park naturalists with a calling amphibian survey.

Spring has sprung and the birds are singing! Spruce up your house décor with an egg-cellent art idea.

Introduce your kids to the fundamentals of mountain biking during a four-week class at Lake Accotink Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing conversion of the existing platform tennis courts at Wakefield Park to pickleball. Wakefield Park is located at 8100 Braddock Road in Annandale, Virginia.

Spring is birthing season, and the public is invited to meet scores of baby farm animals at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia. The largest number of newborns are expected to arrive from March to May 2021.

What is soft, small and rolls instead of hops around? It’s an Eggster Bunny!

Delve into Huntley Meadows Park’s history and prehistoric past. Come to the park on Wednesday, March 17, 2021, for “The Taux: Living with the Land.”

Many of the Park Authority’s most popular social media photos have been shot at Huntley Meadows Park, and you can learn how to capture images like those yourself.

Explore the universe from the comfort of your home with the “Introduction to Astronomy Webinar” on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.

In honor of Women’s History Month, artiFACTS takes a look at a Fairfax County woman who made strides in the field of nursing in the early 1900s and had an impact far beyond the county.

Instead of a Sunday afternoon nap, put the kettle on and get a little history of sleep during a virtual afternoon tea with the folks at Green Spring Gardens.

Take a Sunday afternoon walk at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park and explore plants, animals and history.

Choose the day. Choose the subject. Bring your family to Green Spring Gardens for a personalized tour.

Park Authority Fitness and Wellness staff have had to be innovative in their approach to the Healthy Strides 5K/10K, held annually on the first Saturday in May.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will hold a virtual public meeting on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 7 p.m. to present the study findings and gather public comment on the Dog Park Study Draft Report.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Did you know Fairfax County Park Authority operates two licensed preschools? Lee District and Spring Hill RECenters offer preschool classes for children 3 and older.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin construction on the next segment of the Pohick Stream Valley Trail between Burke Station Park and Hillside Road.

Rec-PAC is hiring to fill over 200 positions for its six-week summer camp program.

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.

Discover a new angle for bird-watching with the “Birding by Kayak-Single” program at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, March 27, 2021.

Visit Hidden Pond Nature Center for fun outdoor activities for your family, group or pod. Hidden Pond hosts private programs on several topics for groups of up to eight people.

Plants and animals all grow and change, but many do so in curious ways. Investigate some of these changes during the “Growth and Change” program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Celebrate the arrival of spring on Saturday, March 20, 2021, with a solar observation, a sunset stroll or both!

It’s mini golf and an egg hunt all in one! Play a round of “Rabbit Hole-in-One” at Burke Lake Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) has been notified of a Facebook page that uses the FCPA logo and a misspelled version of Fairfax County to friend request and message people that they have won a prize.

One of Fairfax County’s most popular parks is hiring!

The gates will open at Lake Mercer Park on Saturday, March 27, 2021, to allow anglers to access the water by kayak, canoe or other non-motorized boat.

Round up the family and set out on a personalized woodland tour. Join a naturalist for “Nature Your Way in Spring at Hidden Oaks.”

If you’re interested in birding but aren’t sure how to start, come to Lake Fairfax Park.

Let a historian be your guide for a tour of the historic manor house that examines the relationship of the Mason family to slavery.

Learn about some of the people who lived around Accotink Creek after 1700 and how they helped shape the area.

Discover a burst of color on a gray winter day with a tour of the witch hazels in bloom at Green Spring Gardens.

Experience the changes of spring and get up and moving through the wooded trail at Frying Pan Farm Park.

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking public comment on the design of a planned trail improvement project in Random Hills Park, located off Random Hills Road in Fairfax, Virginia.

The Park Authority will host a virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony in mid-March to mark the installation and opening of a new bridge in Gabrielson Gardens at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Oakton, Virginia. The bridge opened to the public today. 

Work on those homeschool science requirements at Hidden Pond Nature Center.

Get your family into the great outdoors with a personalized program led by a naturalist or historian at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Transform your suburban space to a natural oasis with guidance from a Hidden Oaks Nature Center naturalist and gardener.

Immerse yourself in a way of life from 400 years ago at the “Corn Grinding & Clay Pottery” program at Huntley Meadows Park.

Bring those school history lessons to life for your children with a visit to Sully Historic Site.

Put a new spin on story time with “Storytelling in the Garden” at beautiful Green Spring Gardens.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation invite students in grades K-8 to enter the 2021 Poetry Contest in honor of National Poetry Month in April.

In the “Nature Photography at Dawn” program, learn how to use a DSLR and a tripod to capture images of the natural world early in the morning.

Discover history with a view on a family outing to Historic Huntley.

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.

For over a decade, the Fairfax County Office for Children’s Institute for Early Learning and the Fairfax County Park Authority have teamed up to lead workshops for thousands of licensed child care professionals.

Go on a treasure hunt at Lake Fairfax Park with the help of a GPS device.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Visit the Park Authority’s artiFACTS website to discover a clothing item recovered from a Civil War era dig that initially fooled scientists.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin bridge replacement work in Smokewood Park south of Whitacre Road in the Olde Creek section of Braddock District.

My Summer Camp Planner is an easy-to-use spreadsheet that streamlines family summer camp planning.

Sully Historic Site is currently offering a “Who Were They?” tour, which highlights the lives and stories of the enslaved workers who lived and worked at Sully in the late 18th century.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board granted scope approval for the Northern Area Natural Resource Management Plan at its meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to return its existing slate of officers to the Board for 2021.

Laurel Hill Golf Club received high marks and is considered among the top 10 courses in Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021 at 5 p.m.

A hummingbird species that usually makes its home in the western part of the United States has been drawing birders and photographers to the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hikers, bikers and equestrians using the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in the Gabrielson Gardens Park area, will need to follow the marked detour around the worksite due to construction of the replacement bridge foundation.

During the “Virtual Watercolor Workshop: Pen and Ink,” artist Marni Maree will teach you various ways to draw with ink.

Keep your youngster busy this winter with a “Class in a Bag” that’s all about bears.

Enjoy a family-friendly tour of Historic Huntley, which was built high atop a hill overlooking the unique Huntley Meadows Park area.

Enjoy a “Virtual Afternoon Tea: Love Lessons from Jane Austen” with the help of the folks at Green Spring Gardens.

Treat your family to a personalized campfire program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Celebrate the “Dr. Seuss Birthday Extravaganza” at Hidden Oaks Nature Center with stories, critters and crafts.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at 5 p.m. for a special meeting.

Registration for spring break and summer camps is now underway.

Two of Golf Fairfax’s renovated ranges were recognized in the Top 50 Public Ranges by Golf Range Magazine.

Fairfax County Park Authority officials are warning visitors against feeding the farm animals who live at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia.

As the country gets ready to celebrate National Pie Day on Jan. 23, 2021, artiFACTS serves up a pie plate from the Park Authority’s historical collections to reflect on the work of past artisans.

It’s sugaring time at the mill, so bundle up, brave the weather and watch and learn as sap is boiled down into a sweet syrup over an open fire.

Take your passion for gardening indoors this winter with some help from the folks at Green Spring Gardens.

Stomp like a T-Rex or soar like a pterosaur and come to Hidden Oaks Nature Center to brush up on your knowledge of dinosaurs.

Explore Walney Creek with a naturalist to meet some of the small creek critters (macroinvertebrates) that call it home.

Bring some color and a touch of nature into your home all winter long with monthly floral design workshops at Green Spring Gardens.

Journey back to the 1800s at Sully Historic Site and experience the challenges people once faced in making a rope sturdy enough for their needs

Channel your inner pirate and go on a modern-day treasure hunt using a handheld Global Positioning System, better known as GPS.

Take advantage of the RECenter membership sale now through Feb. 28, 2020.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021 at 5 p.m

The Fairfax County Park Authority has scheduled its annual community comment meeting on the agency’s proposed fee adjustments.

The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD), a longtime partner in environmental stewardship, is having its annual seedling sale starting on Feb. 2, 2021.

Get your family into the great outdoors with a personalized program led by a naturalist or historian at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Get ready to welcome a beautiful assortment of butterflies to your garden next summer with a little help from the folks at Green Spring Gardens.

See what birds are calling the lake home this season with the park’s “Waterfowl” program on two Tuesdays in February.

Discover the beauty and historic legacy of Historic Huntley during an outing with the kids or during an evening for adults only.

Huntley Meadows Park naturalists are offering two virtual nature series to keep children moving and engaged this season from the comfort of home.

This “Virtual Afternoon Tea: Rebellious Royals” will focus on non-conformist royalty through the years.

Give a gift from the heart this Valentine’s Day by creating a handmade heart at Sully Historic Site.

A winter’s evening is the best time to learn about fairy gliders, better known as flying squirrels.

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…

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…

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…

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) seeks the public’s input on how to provide for the emerging sport of pickleball and invites participation in an online survey.

Green Spring Gardens’ popular Winter Lecture Series returns in January in a virtual format.

The Park Authority has a new program request form that makes it easy to register for personalized programs for birthdays, scout gatherings, school enrichment and family fun in parks throughout Fairfax County.

If this holiday season brought you a new puppy, an e-bike for personal transportation, or other new toys, we hope you bring them out and safely enjoy the amenities in Fairfax County Parks.

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…

Get up close and personal with the critters at Huntley Meadows Park at one of the park’s “Catch a Critter!” days in January 2021.

Capture a moment in time with your artwork through the unique “Interior Illustrations” program at Sully Historic Site.

Make a bird feeder and help take care of your feathered friends this winter.

Children always look forward to the annual school field trip.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has named Michael Peter to serve as Division Director of Business Administration.

Bringing light to long, dark winter nights wasn’t always as easy as flipping a light switch.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has reappointed four members of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board to serve four-year terms.

Looking for a unique, local gift for someone this holiday season? Look no further--the Squirrel’s Nest Museum Gift Shop at Sully Historic Site is now offering curbside pickup!

Experience the magic of Huntley Meadows Park as it transitions from day into night.

It’s always sad to watch a snowman melt away, so discover how you can create a four-season snowman that will still be with you when summer arrives.

Get off the beaten path with a naturalist and explore some of the trails that fewer people have discovered at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

While some birds may be wintering in the South, there are still plenty to see on local waterways.

Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Executive Director Kirk Kincannon announced his retirement this week, ending his tenure with the award-winning agency effective Feb. 12, 2021.

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

For years, campers have enjoyed the fun and excitement Park Authority winter break camps have offered while school is out. This year will be no exception with a lineup of specialty camps for children ages 5 and older.

Bring your family to enjoy Holiday Lights on the Farm! Thousands of lights will decorate a mile-long route through the park in Herndon, Virginia, on select weekend evenings in December.

Public Links, Inc, a nonprofit arm of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB), is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020 at 4:45 p.m.

A new, permanent ramp from Route 28 North to the new Braddock Road-Walney Road overpass over Route 28 has opened, adding a new access point for Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Four of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s off-leash dog parks are among the region’s best, according to readers of Northern Virginia magazine.

Join us for the 17th annual and first virtual EcoSavvy Symposium on stormwater management.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s 2020 Fiscal Year Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) is now available online.

“Green Spring Tree Detective” and join in the scavenger hunt for 10 beautiful trees in the gardens.

Looking for something new to do to get the whole family outdoors? Book a “Campfire Your Way” program at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Experience those magical hours when day transitions to night at Huntley Meadows Park.

Sit back and enjoy some fresh air and stories surrounded by the gardens at Green Spring.

With all those extra hours of darkness, winter is a great time to delve into astronomy as a family. Get started with some help from the folks at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

How can you learn about nature without a textbook or computer screen? Through drawing!

Meet kindred spirits as a naturalist leads you on a trail walk and guides you on natural history investigations at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Did you ever wonder where the craze for collecting nutcracker dolls came from? Nutcrackers have a fascinating history, and they can be found in many parts of the world.

Golf has been growing in popularity as a safe way to enjoy the outdoors while having fun and getting fit.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is celebrating its 70th Anniversary on Dec. 6, 2020 with a special “thank you” gift for the kids of all ages who have enjoyed county parks for the past seven decades.

Enjoy a free workout with a “70” theme and join in the fun as the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrates its 70th anniversary on Dec. 6, 2020.

The newly opened Poplar Tree Road extension and bridge over Route 28 is making access to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park easier than ever.

You can layer on extra clothes, but how do animals cope with winter weather?

Give your home a personal touch this holiday season. Create a one-of-a-kind winter wreath for your door.

When the leaves fall from the trees, how can anyone know which tree is which species? Find out by becoming a winter tree detective.

Don’t miss the chance for your child to join the Park Authority’s newest nature club.

This year celebrate the winter solstice with s’mores by a campfire and look forward to those longer days ahead.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will host a public meeting to discuss the planning process and potential revisions to the Clemyjontri Park Master Plan.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has selected Jesse Coffman to head operations at its eight public golf courses.

Treat yourself to a private shopping experience this holiday season and discover unique, locally-crafted gifts at Frying Pan Farm Park.

Learn proven strategies to encourage amazing native flying squirrels to your treed backyard and how to recognize their presence.

Step back in time and see how the residents of Walney Farm would have celebrated the holidays in days gone by.

Pack up your family pod and head to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park for a personalized outdoor nature or history program.

Take a journey to holidays past with a visit to Sully Historic Site. Treat the family to an “Age of Elegance Private Tour” Thursdays through Sundays.

Roasting marshmallows over an open fire, listening for owls on a night hike and discovering fascinating facts about animals of the night make for excellent autumn fun with Hidden Oaks new Campfire Your Way program.

Discover the surprising stories behind “The Twelve Days of Christmas” during tea at the Historic House at Green Spring Gardens.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the Lake Accotink Park Trail repair project.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will honor its outstanding volunteers during a virtual presentation of the annual Elly Doyle Park Service Awards on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020 at 7 p.m.

From private shopping appointments to curbside pickup, Fairfax County parks are offering safe and easy ways to find unique holiday gifts for everyone on your list this year.

Fairfax County voters approved a $112 million bond on the Nov.3, 2020 ballot that includes $100 million for the Fairfax County Park Authority and $12 million for Nova Parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin repaving the parking lot on the field side of Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

Construction work along the main stem of Accotink Creek and a secondary channel at Wakefield Park is set to begin.

There are pictures of turkeys everywhere this time of year, but how much do your kids really know about this iconic bird?

Sit back and relax with the kids and experience the ancient art of storytelling.

You don’t need a school bus to go on a field trip. Load up the family van for a “Field Trip for All” at Green Spring Gardens.

Think outside the gift box this holiday season. Give a gift that will making lasting memories -- a unique park experience.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020 at 5 p.m.

The property, with both rolling terrain, informal trails, as well as level ground, currently preserves open space and holds potential for a future community park.

This is a maintenance project that will restore a degraded outfall channel using natural stream design techniques.

Bundle up and come out for our wonderful science- and history-based outdoor lessons with the Park Authority’s new Field Trips for All programs at parks throughout the county.

There are two great tournaments coming your way this fall! Golf was never better with competitions at two scenic Fairfax County golf courses.

Let your kids sit back and enjoy some stories with the “Outdoor Storytelling” program at Green Spring Gardens.

Discover how Native American people used the resources where they lived to harvest and cook their own food.

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 Authority has launched a new online ticketing system that allows visitors to avoid ticket lines for select park activities.

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…