The Fairfax County Park Authority, joined by Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay and Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, celebrated the official opening of Lake Accotink Park’s new playground with families from the surrounding community on Thursday, Nov.2.

The upgraded playground was installed to replace equipment, which had outlived its useful lifespan as one of the parks most popular features for visiting families since 1995. The new play space features a variety of equipment for children of all ages and abilities. The design includes a tower play structure with a winding slide, boulder climber, four swings, net climber, playhouse, dragonfly teeter-totter, musical panels, and tactile and visual features to provide children with a variety of play experiences.

“I could go on for hours about the science of playgrounds and how they provide an essential space for our children’s physical fitness, socialization and intellectual and creative development, but this is really what it’s all about,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole, pointing out the laughter of dozens of children in the background. “The language of play is universal, and there is no expression which more clearly represents the reason why we are so passionate about providing gold-standard experiences for children of all ages throughout our park system.”

The project cost totaled approximately $300,000. One-time funding was appropriated by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at the end of third quarter in fiscal year 2023. The allocation was championed by Chairman McKay, Supervisor Walkinshaw and Franconia District Supervisor Rodney Lusk.

Lake Accotink Park is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield, Virginia. For more information about the playground project, please contact the Public Information office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.