The Fairfax County Park Authority announced the selection of Laura Grape as the new Director of the Resource Management Division (RMD).

South Run Rec Center in Springfield, Virginia, is proud to have hosted more than 100 Eagle Scout projects over the past 20 years.

The public is invited to attend an information meeting on the McLean Central Park Development Con-cept plan.

Register now to learn to make an adorable, posable mouse using needle felting techniques and wool from Frying Pan Farm Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board’s regular biweekly meetings and committee sessions will return to a virtual format.

Sully Historic Site, the home of Richard Bland Lee, Northern Virginia’s first representative to Congress, is pleased to announce the seventh year of the Margaret C. Peck Youth Internship program, sponsored by the Sully Foundation Ltd.

We are now recruiting farmers and vendors with unique local, food-based products that will delight our customers.

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

Registration for summer camps begins Jan. 11, 2022 and with limited spaces available in our facilities and over 95% of in-person camps filling up last year, register early to reserve your child’s favorite camp for next summer.

Now it’s sugaring time! Bundle up, watch, and learn as sap is boiled down into sweet syrup.

Find out the details of a traveler’s visit to Newgate Tavern and how local officials worked to establish standard rates, setting fixed prices for lodging and even the cost of drink of brandy.

Discover how you can help restore our urban forest – one yard at a time.

Children can support our feathered friends by making and then taking home a pinecone bird feeder.

The Fairfax County Park Authority offers more than 1,000 summer day camp options for kids ages 3 to 17 at dozens of locations at Rec Centers, nature centers, historic sites, lakefront parks, golf courses and schools.

With lower camp sizes still in place, plan now to guarantee a spot in your child’s favorite spring break or summer camp.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted at its meeting on Dec. 7, 2021, to convey two parcels of land in Alexandria, Virginia, to the Fairfax County Park Authority.

On Dec. 3, 2021, the Fairfax County Park Authority purchased a historic property that was built in the mid-18th century in the Old Colchester area.

In celebration of Bald Eagle Day, visit Hidden Oaks Nature Center for an indoor program to learn about the fascinating life of this American symbol.

Now through February 2022, children ages 3 to 5 and an adult can learn about winter wonders near and far on Wednesdays at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

Winter full moons can be some of the most impressive with cold-clear skies.

Ring in the new year by celebrating Fairfax County parks! First Hike Fairfax returns with even more award categories, including a new Best in Show (Pets) award.

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, located in Reston, Virginia, and operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority, has a splashtastic summer job opportunity just for you!

Come make a difference and have fun while doing it!

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board endorsed the Park Authority Pickleball Study Report at their regular meeting on Dec. 8, 2021.

For the second time in recent years, Jon Eisman, director of instruction and the owner of Eisman Golf Academy at Laurel Hill Golf Club and Twin Lakes Golf Course, was rated as one of Virginia’s Best Teachers by Golf Digest magazine.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin construction on the Sully Woodlands Stewardship Education Center (SWSEC) located in Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Centreville, Virginia.

Meet a real, old-fashioned Santa Claus and bring your camera to take a picture with Santa in the historic setting of Sully.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is once again offering a free scavenger hunt with video clues in the Cub Run Stream Valley.

Take your gardening to the next level with Green Spring Gardens’ annual Harry Allen Winter Lecture Series.

Join a naturalist for a hike along Hidden Oaks’ one-third-mile trail to learn what plants and animals would have shared their world with dinosaurs.

It’s the season of giving, and recently arrived gifts may already be calling out for use.

Sully Historic Site is now displaying “Timeless Treasures,” a case collection of dolls from all over the world.

Enjoy an elegant, walk-through tour of Sully lit by the warmth of candlelight.

Green Spring Gardens shines all year long, but this month the Fairfax County Park Authority site shines brighter with a Star Extravaganza.

Teams from the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) were honored with GIS Excellence Awards in three categories during the county’s annual GIS (Geographic Information System) Day competition.

Five County leaders have been honored with 2021 Chairman’s Choice Awards by the Fairfax County Park Authority Board.

From Rec Center tune-ups to the opening of new playgrounds, get the latest on Park Authority projects by visiting the District Project Summary Reports website.

Sears, Roebuck and Company has left historical footprints in Fairfax County that range in size from a shoe to an entire five-room bungalow.

Winter is coming. Embrace it with “Seasonal Storytelling” at Green Spring on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021.

Oak Marr’s Mini Golf Course is being transformed into a Candy Cane Lane for holidays!

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. 19, 2021, at 7 p.m.

The Park Authority is responding to the growing popularity of pickleball in Fairfax County with the opening of two dedicated pickleball courts at Wakefield Park in Annandale, Virginia.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a revision to the Braddock Park Master Plan at its meeting on Nov. 10, 2021.

The Park Authority is about to embark on a major renovation of the Audrey Moore Rec Center in Annandale, Virginia, and is launching a survey to gather public input on the project. What improvements would you like to see?

For all you holiday multitaskers, consider doing a little shopping this year during your next visit to a Park Authority Rec Center, golf course, historic site or specialty gift shop.

Get an early jump on Black Friday sales this year with discounted passes for golf rounds and indoor sessions at Fairfax County golf courses. Treat yourself or the golfer on your holiday gift list.

Get together with family, friends, relatives and workout partners for the Fairfax County Park Authority’s second-annual virtual Turkey Burn 2021.

As a growing number of people have been flocking to local parks during the pandemic, some thieves have seen this as an opportunity.

Work off those Thanksgiving calories with a day of fun activities at Lake Accotink Park.

Enjoy some special family time with “Storytelling in the Garden” at Green Spring Gardens.

Feel the magic of the season on a mile-long drive featuring thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations and live farm animals, when Holiday Lights on the Farm returns to Frying Pan Farm Park.

Pickleball has increased in popularity in recent years throughout the country and more specifically within Fairfax County.

Fairfax County is facing an invasion from a dangerous pest and the tree it likes to call home.

Come one, come all to the opening of the new playground at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, at 10 a.m.

Hear from a NASA scientist about the new space telescope that is scheduled for launch next month.

As the holiday mailing season gets underway, the Park Authority’s artiFACTS website looks back at the vital role the postal system has played in U.S. history.

Join a naturalist at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in looking for flying squirrels.

All ages are welcome to register for World Children’s Day set for Sunday, Nov. 20, 2021, at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

On Nov. 11, 2021, visitors to Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia, will see something that’s been in the works for a long time: the United States flag on a brand new and freshly installed, flagpole.

Pumpkins don’t mix with parks.

Join in the excitement leading up to December’s launch of the James Webb Space Telescope with a program at Turner Farm Park in Great Falls, Virginia.

Two Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) nominees were honored by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS) at its annual conference.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join in the national celebration of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, by offering free admission to the Rec Centers to those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a $20,000 Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant request from the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park to help fund a forest restoration project at the park.

Lots of people have been asking what is happening at the pond and trail at Arrowbrook Park in Herndon. Currently the park is closed to accommodate construction on a road.

Only once a year do (costumed) animals at Hidden Oaks venture out to the trail to explain why they are not scary or mean, but just misunderstood.

Hidden Oaks Nature Center and the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) invite individuals of all ages to participate in learning about the plants and animals in our parks, as well as meeting some live animals up close.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved its 2022 meeting schedule.

Pumpkins aren’t just for painting! Come to Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, and get a new appreciation for this seasonal star.

The Fairfax County Park Authority, in collaboration with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors and McLean Youth Soccer Association, will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of Holladay Field in McLean, Virginia.

The HEAL (Healthy Environment Active Living) Team of the Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax is bringing together organizations and individuals in Fairfax County for important discussions about the health of our community.

Sully Historic Site seeks public input on new interpretive themes.

October is Walktober and there’s no place like Sully to get all your steps in.

Job seekers are invited to the Golf Fairfax Job Fair, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Burke Lake Golf Center.

Area families are invited to Frying Pan Farm Park to celebrate its 60th anniversary on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October is Archaeology Month in Virginia, and the Park Authority is making a point of celebrating by adding a Fire Cracked Jasper Point to its artiFACTS website.

Halloween is just around the corner and it’s time to start breaking out the decorations!

Have you always wanted your very own scarecrow friend? Visit Sully Historic Site and make your own to take home with you!

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

Hands-on experiences are the best way to engage young children in stimulating an interest in science and technology.

The Annandale Farmers Market now accepts and doubles SNAP/EBT benefits, thanks to a partnership between Fairfax County Farmers Markets and Britepaths.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is holding a Public Comment Meeting to gather public input on the draft master plan revision for Clemyjontri Park.

Nine of the cows who live at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia, are slated to participate in the NASCOW FundRacer on Friday, Oct. 22, 2021.

Fall is bursting with color! You can take some of those wonderful autumn hues home with you with our Colorful Pumpkins program at Sully Historic Site

Nature has long inspired art. Now, travel with Green Spring Gardens to see how art can inspire floral design.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is honoring two individuals this year with Chairman’s Choice Awards for outstanding long-term support, service to, and advocacy on behalf of the Park Authority.

Round up the family and go on a “Nature Scavenger Hunt” at Green Spring Gardens.

Green Spring Gardens is offering two programs in October to help bring beauty to your fall and winter garden as you get ready for a burst of blooming bulbs in spring.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to announce a new way to camp at Burke Lake Park.

The historic Ash Grove house, built by the Fairfax family, has become available through the Resident Curator Program.

Registration is now open for Fairfax County’s newest preschool, the Forest Preschool at Riverbend Park. Riverbend Park Forest Preschool will focus on encouraging learning and knowledge through nature.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation has named a family, an organization and a Park Authority friends group as recipients of this year’s Eakin Philanthropy Awards honoring outstanding contributions to parks through the Park Foundation.

If you’re looking for a peaceful, natural setting for yoga, the place is Lake Accotink Park.

Celebrate the fall equinox at Observatory Park at Turner Farm.

Help protect the local pollinators that are critical to our nation’s food supply. Volunteer to be part of "Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz 2021."

School bells are once again echoing throughout school buildings in Fairfax County, and this month’s artiFACTS takes a look at that bell-ringing tradition.

In honor of its 50th anniversary, Green Spring Gardens is offering a “Golden Garden” tour on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

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

The Fairfax County Park Authority doesn’t play around when it comes its parks and playgrounds.

Another Fairfax County park property has become available through the Resident Curator Program.

Riverbend Park will host a retreat for students who wish to make a difference in their communities through environmental leadership and service.

The highly anticipated Draft Pickleball Study has been released and is now on the Pickleball Study website.

Take a virtual tour of one of the oldest homes in Fairfax County with the Historic Oak Hill Open House on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021.

An individual and a garden organization will share honors this year as recipients of the 2021 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has named historian Barbara Naef as the recipient of the 2021 Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award for her many roles in preserving county history.

Colvin Run Mill Historic Site is hosting Girl Scouts of the USA programs this fall.

With the arrival of fall, and with cooler temperatures at hand, now more than ever it’s time to gather outdoors and enjoy the pleasures of the season.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is honoring three volunteers from Frying Pan Farm Park with the 2021 Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award, which recognizes teamwork in bringing state-of-the-art facilities to parks.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work on the Martin Luther King Jr. Park playground replacement project, which will close the playground during the construction period.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join in the nationwide celebration of National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, from 9 until 10:30 a.m.

Have some outdoor fun with the family, and sneak in a little education, too, with a variety of programs this September at Green Spring Gardens.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is partnering with Plant NOVA Natives on a new project to celebrate trees.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will honor one group and four individuals with 2021 Elly Doyle Park Service Special Recognition Awards at a virtual volunteer celebration in November.

Volunteers from Burke and Springfield, Virginia, are being honored as this year’s youth recipients of Fairfax County Park Authority Elly Doyle Park Service Awards.

Get out of the house and outdoors with your youngster with a playgroup or storytelling program at Green Spring Gardens.

Fall is a great time for tackling new gardening projects. Whether you’re interested in rock gardens or shrubs, plant cuttings or autumn showstoppers, there’s a program for you this September at Green Spring Gardens.

Travel back to prehistoric times this Labor Day weekend with dinosaur events at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) seeks the public’s input on the emerging sport of pickleball and invites the community to attend a virtual meeting to introduce its draft Pickleball Study.

The Water Mine at Lake Fairfax Park is going to the dogs on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, when Dog Daze returns from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Despite the constraints of the pandemic, volunteers across Fairfax County found a way to keep giving and to support the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Teachers looking for fall field trips can now make plans to visit Fairfax County Park Authority sites.

Do some shopping, make a little money and get fit all in the same place.

Vegetable Garden Plant Clinics are coming to Fairfax County parks this fall. FCMGA Master Gardeners are expanding their established clinics to add a fifth location and additional programs.

Meadow habitats are largely composed of species native to the region, with only limited human intervention.

Summer is waning, but the fun continues with the Summer Entertainment Series.

The public is invited to attend a public comment meeting on the Draft Master Plan revision for Braddock Park on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at 7 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board endorsed the Park Authority Dog Park Study Report at their regular meeting on July 28, 2021.

We’re hiring administrative support in various areas of the Park Authority.

Do you feel comfortable in the woods? Do you love history? Are you apt to share stories with others? These are all qualities that might prepare you for a job with the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Bathe yourself in the sights and sounds of the natural world as the Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team offers a free introduction to the practice of forest bathing.

Enjoy nature’s tranquil beauty and the fun of an evening campfire roasting s’mores.

Join site manager and historian Michael McDonnell for an outdoor walk and learn the history of the Manassas Gap Unfinished Railroad.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board will honor a slate of Outstanding Volunteers selected by their peers at this year’s Elly Doyle Park Service Awards ceremony in November.

Bring the family out for a round at Burke Lake, Jefferson, Oak Marr or Pinecrest Golf in August for Family Golf Month.

The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park invites the community to enjoy free ice cream while supplies last on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2021, starting at 7 p.m. at Frying Pan Farm Park, located at 2709 West Ox Road in Herndon.

Fairfax County Park Authority is opening a new preschool, but this one will be a little different.

Take a virtual stroll through 70+ years of Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) history with a visit to the new “History of FCPA” timeline.

Make going to work like a walk in the park when your next job is with the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Say hello to autumn at the Family Fall Festival at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

If you love great music at a convenient location and want to spend time with friends and family outdoors do not miss the Music at Arrowbrook Centre Concert Series featuring the best in rockabilly.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has received a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada for its 2020 Fiscal Year Annual Comprehensive Financial Report.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is preparing the historic Margaret White Gardens located at 6711 Princess Anne Lane in Falls Church, and the historic Ash Grove House at 8881 Ashgrove House Lane in Vienna, for advertisement through the Resident Curator Program.

It’s the middle of the summer and a great time to gather family and friends for a summer concert.

Savor the taste of summer with a “Tropical Teas Tasting” at Green Spring Gardens on Saturday, July 31, 2021.

Start your morning with a story for the family at Green Spring Gardens.

Stay cool and keep your game hot this summer with the indoor TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator at Pinecrest Golf Course.

The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail will be closed between mile markers 3.2 and 3.8 in the Difficult Run Stream Valley Park from Monday, July 19 through Friday, Aug. 6, 2021.

By unanimous vote, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) has approved the renewal of the Ordinance that establishes the Fairfax County Park Authority.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin the Hidden Oaks Nature Center Addition at Annandale Park located at 7701 Royce St. in Annandale, Virginia.

Park acreage in Fairfax County continues to grow with the purchase of more than six acres of land adjacent to Grist Mill Park.

The public is invited to a traditional land ceremony and sign dedication at Freedom Hill Park at noon on July 31, 2021.

Celebrate National Farmers Market Week during the first week in August with a visit to one of Fairfax County’s 10 producer-only Farmers Markets.

A metal gadget from the 1800s was once a common item in local homes that offered residents a fun way to cool down when summer temperatures climbed.

The meeting will provide an opportunity for public questions and comments following a brief staff overview of the Fairfax County Resident Curator Program (RCP) administered by the Park Authority, and to discuss the use of the historic Margaret White Gardens house, located at 6711 Princess Anne Lane, Falls Church, Virginia, as a Resident Curator property.

A very special opportunity to see top-caliber, nationally and internationally ranked racquetball players in action and to get on the court for some free lessons is fast approaching.

The amount of parkland in Fairfax County has grown by nearly six acres, thanks to a donation from the George Mason University Foundation, Inc.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series is offering a host of free concerts in July and August with styles to fit a wide range of musical interests.

Free family-friendly movies are being screened every Saturday night in August at 5860 Trinity Parkway in Centreville, Virginia.

Get a glimpse into the many critters and more that inhabit life under a log.

It’s a great time to visit Historic Sully. COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, allowing more opportunities to see this beautifully restored 18th century house museum and outbuildings.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board will begin in-person meetings once again this July.

A month-to-month membership option is now available at all nine Park Authority Rec Center locations.

Before they disappear for another 17 years, the summer edition of the Park Authority’s Snapshots e-newsletter features just a few more photos of cicadas, as well as the winners of a photo contest at Frying Pan Farm Park and a look at the county’s history through aerial photography.

Construction is scheduled to begin on July 5, 2021, on two new permanent pickleball courts at Wakefield Park in Annandale, Virginia.

Green Spring Gardens’ annual summer concert is back!

If you love music and you love parks, join in the fun of the Summer Entertainment Series

Flutter over to Fairfax County Park Authority’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Saturday July 17, 2021 to meet live monarchs, pretend to metamorphose and collect pretend eggs.

Discover new ways to arrange summer beauties or turn blooms into edible garnishes at two August workshops at Green Spring Gardens.

Save money and strokes with the biggest sale of the year on Range Passes, going on from July 4 through July 18, 2021.

The Scott’s Run Trail project in McLean, Virginia, has been named the Project of the Year for Transportation among projects under $5 million by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Get ready for great entertainment with the 2021 Summer Entertainment Series! Back in person this summer, the free performances and movies are possible thanks to a strong partnership between government, volunteers, business sponsors, individual donors and the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Arts in the Parks is a free, family-fun alternative to Saturday and Wednesday morning cartoons or indoor activities.

Discover ways to make your green thumb a bit greener. Green Spring Gardens is hosting two programs in July that focus on environmentally friendly gardening practices.

Find beauty inside and out at Green Spring Gardens as the Horticulture Center opens for its first art exhibit since the pandemic.

The Woodland Wildlife Tree Sculpture celebrates native wildlife with a whimsical display of 11 species of animals scampering around a dead tree.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 at 5 p.m.

Green Spring Gardens Extension Master Gardeners are hoping to donate 2,000 pounds of produce they are growing in the Green Spring Edible Garden.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin work to construct the Patriot Park North Athletic Field Complex located at 5425 Willow Springs School Road, Fairfax, Virginia.

The tennis courts at Eakin Community Park in Annandale, Virginia, will be closed temporarily for a makeover.

Cultural Heritage Nights are coming to Ossian Hall Park for free performances from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays in July and August.

If you love summer, chances are you love free summer concerts in local parks.

Arts in the Parks is a free, family-fun alternative to Saturday and Wednesday morn-ing cartoons and video games.

Sharpen your detective skills on a scavenger hunt at Hidden Oaks Nature Center on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

Work is scheduled to begin in June on a project to convert the existing soccer field at Holladay Field Park in McLean, Virginia, to synthetic turf.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) recently conducted a survey of fish in Burke Lake, and the results will make fishermen very happy. The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) recorded the survey, documenting the good news for local anglers.

Keep an eye out for QR codes popping up around Sully Historic Site—we are debuting our first self-guided audio tour!

The lineup for the Park Authority includes a wide array of performances from classical to bluegrass and everything in between, as well as Arts in the Parks children’s performances on Saturday and Wednesday mornings, music and dance from around the world, and a drive-in movie series.

The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Analemma Society are resuming free Friday night public celestial observing sessions at Turner Farm Park’s Roll-Top Observatory.

Celebrate the longest day of the year at the “Summer Solstice Campfire” at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.

The annual Antique Car Show at Sully Historic Site will be online for a second year.

In this month's artiFACTS, a Dogue carving shows the significance of beavers and otters that were once abundant in the area.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will commemorate Juneteenth with a series of programs, tours and lectures in June.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at 5 p.m.

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

Rec-PAC (Pretty Awesome Children) is an affordable, quality summer recreation program for Fairfax County children in first through sixth grades.

A new playground is coming to Herndon’s Chandon Park this summer.

A portion of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail will be closed for three weeks this summer as a contractor performs maintenance on the Potomac Interceptor sanitary sewer related to the Route 7 (Leesburg Pike) widening project.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has captured seven honors in the 2021 National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards for excellence in a variety of government communications.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon begin trail maintenance work on trails in Sally Ormsby Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a $20,000 Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant request from the McLean Youth Soccer (MYS) Association for improvements to Holladay Field in the Dranesville District.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board voted to approve its 200th Mastenbrook Volunteer Matching Fund Grant at its meeting on May 26, 2021.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has voted to name the baseball facilities at Pine Ridge Park in honor of two volunteers who have each dedicated three decades of service and support to the Annandale-North Springfield Little League (ANSLL).

Welcome back! Facilities throughout the Fairfax County park system are returning to nearly normal operations after a series of closures and restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join us in celebrating the myriad health and well-being resources located right here in Fairfax County.

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

Join a virtual gardening program from the comfort of your home, and then head out into your garden to apply all your new knowledge.

Scholar and author Dr. Richard Bell will speak online about “The Destruction of Slavery in the Civil War” at 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 19, 2021.

Green Spring Gardens is offering a variety of ways to treat your senses this summer with a beautiful garden tour.

The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Our Special Harbor spray park opens on Monday, May 31, 2021 – just in time for Memorial Day family fun – weather permitting.

A virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 10 a.m. to mark the official opening of two new celebration/picnic shelters at Burke Lake Park.

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) will soon begin a lighting project at Wakefield Park, located at 8100 Braddock Road in Annandale, Virginia.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Friday, June 25, 2021, to celebrate the official opening of the expansive new picnic shelter area at Laurel Hill Central Green.

Construction work is underway on the basketball and tennis courts at Bruin Park in Herndon, Virginia. The courts will remain closed through June and July to allow for improvements to the facilities.

They’re emerging by the millions. They’re overwhelming our ears and the appetites of predators.

Join the nationwide resurgence of the classic, entertaining, lifelong game of golf. Laurel Hill Golf Club and Twin Lakes Golf Course are offering weeklong summer camps taught by professionals from The Eisman Golf Academy.

Join us on Friday, June 18, 2021 at 6 p.m. at Laurel Hill Golf Club for an adrenaline-packed experience as Josh Koch and Justin James, two of the fastest swingers in the world go head-to-head in a hitting exhibition.

Site prep work is beginning on a project that will add two pickleball courts to the facilities at Wakefield Park in Annandale, Virginia.

Families are invited to celebrate Juneteenth at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, June 19, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Construction work is set to begin along a 722-linear-foot improved stream section located in the Cameron Run watershed in the Broyhill Crest subdivision and a portion of Broyhill Crest Park in Annandale, Virginia.

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

The Public Links, Inc, a nonprofit arm of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB), is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.

The Fairfax County Park Authority continues its celebration of Historic Preservation Month this May with a glimpse into the ongoing renovation of the historic Turner Farmhouse.

The Fairfax County Park Authority has opened a new Area 1 Maintenance Facility at Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park to better meet current and future maintenance needs.

The Fairfax County Park Authority is planning tougher measures this year to preserve the beauty of Scott’s Run Nature Preserve, ensure the safety of visitors, and keep the preserve a family-friendly destination.

Come make a difference! Rec-PAC, affiliated with the Fairfax County Park Authority, is hiring to fill over 200 positions for its six-week summer camp.

If you want the inside track on what’s biting and where, consult the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Fishing webpage.

One of the nation’s premier aerial adventure park operators has a zip line that’s calling your name right here in Fairfax County.

Paddling a kayak or a canoe is a great way to spend the summer!

Each May, the American Public Gardens Association encourages visitors to enjoy the beauty of public gardens throughout the nation. Embrace this year’s “Go Public Gardens” initiative with a stop at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria.

Meet local children’s book author Meg DeBoe and enjoy as she shares two of her popular young children’s books, “Let’s Move” and “Lucy and the Fox.”

On Wednesday, May 19, 2021, Green Spring Gardens’ main entrance at Braddock and Witch Hazel roads will be closed for a new gate installation.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) will meet on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 5 p.m. for a special meeting

The Park Authority will celebrate National Trails Day on June 5, 2021, with a ceremony to mark the opening of the new pedestrian bridge along a trail in Smokewood Park, south of Whitacre Road in the Olde Creek section of the Braddock District.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for June 12, 2021, at 1 p.m. for the new Brookfield Park Bicycle Skills Area in Springfield, Virginia.

There has never been a better time to get fit at a Park Authority RECenter.

The Park Authority is looking for feedback on a proposed new design for the Wakefield Skatepark in Annandale, Virginia.

Fairfax County parks offer plenty of places for folks in boats, canoes and kayaks to take to the wa-ter; and there’s no time like National Safe Boating Week to review some tips to keep those outings safe.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin maintenance work in the next few weeks at Spring Hill Park located at 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean, Virginia.

Five Fairfax County Park Authority nominees have been honored by the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) with 2021 NACPRO Awards, which honor excellence in the field of parks and recreation.

Enjoy a walk through the garden at Sully and learn what plants the inhabitants would have had in the 19th century.

Spring is a time for planting, and some of the flowerpots that were popular among county residents a century ago are still highly collectible today.

The Fairfax County Park Authority Board (PAB) is scheduled to jointly meet with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 3 p.m. The PAB is also scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 at 5 p.m. for a regularly scheduled meeting.

Visitors flock to Scott’s Run Nature Preserve each spring and summer to see its abundant wildflowers and hike to its beautiful waterfall, and the Park Authority wants to remind all visitors to share in the efforts to preserve this unique preserve by following park rules and regulations.

The public is invited to attend a public information meeting on the McLean Central Park Master Plan on Monday, May 24, 2021, at 7 p.m.

Celebrate Historic Preservation Month this May with a look at an ongoing preservation effort right here in Fairfax County.

South Run RECenter’s Volunteer Landscape Team has been honored with the 2021 Volunteer Fairfax Environmental Sustainability Group Award.

Three Fairfax County parks, three playgrounds and one of the Park Authority’s Farmers Markets have been named among the state’s best in the Virginia Living Magazine’s “Best of Virginia 2021” competition.

The Rolling Valley West tennis courts are temporarily closed so that crews can apply a new color coating and lines.

If you’re interested in nature photography, there’s no better place to learn than Huntley Meadows Park – a destination for nature photographers throughout the region.

You’re never too young – or too old – to enjoy a field trip. Pack up the family for an adventure at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park with “Artifacts of the Past” on Monday, May 24, 2021.

Parts of McCutcheon Park in Alexandria, Virginia, will be closed temporarily for safety reasons while a bamboo removal project is underway.

After COVID-19 prevented in-person programs last summer, the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Rec-PAC returns this summer at 30 elementary school locations across Fairfax County.

Suzi Cicada has been hanging out all by herself for the past 17 years, but she has a feeling that everything in her life is about to change. She has the urge to chart a new course and see what else the world has in store.

Do your kids want to make a big splash this summer? Get them involved in Fairfax County Park Authority Summer Swim Teams!

The Fairfax County Park Authority began work this week on a playground replacement project at Newington Heights Park located off Monacan Road in the Mount Vernon District.

The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole is hiring more than 150 lifeguards for the upcoming summer.

Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and the remaining Fairfax County Farmers Markets will be opening the first week of May!

Ace the day at the Jefferson District Falls Mini Golf Open House, May 22, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy a healthy stroll up to a lovely view from Historic Huntley and learn why the Masons built their summer home upon a hill.

Celebrate 70 years of the Fairfax County Park Authority at two of the nation’s top 50 public ranges.

Many factors combined to form the beautiful wetland habitat at Huntley Meadows Park.

Parents are invited to enjoy the fun with one of the Park Authority’s new “Field Trips for All” programs.

Go on an adventure to the “Fifty Acre Wood” with “Pooh and Friends at Hidden Oaks” on Saturday, May 8, 2021.

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 Board (PAB) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 at 5 p.m.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Decorate your home with colorful acorns that you create.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Board will recess for closed session during the…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FootGolfcombines two…

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

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

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

Finding pickleball courts in Fairfax County parks just got easier.

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

The Fairfax County Park 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…