With an award-winning system of 420 parks, the Fairfax County Park Authority relies on the help of thousands of volunteers to support its programs and initiatives. It would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to operate this nationally recognized park system without their dedicated service.

The Park Authority is seeking nominations to recognize the outstanding contributions of volunteers with its annual Park Service Awards Program. Online nominations are being accepted for the following awards:

• Elly Doyle Park Service Award & Youth/Student Award: This pair of awards honors Ellamae “Elly” Doyle’s many years of service and accomplishments as a member and chairman of the Park Authority Board. Fairfax County’s park system expanded and thrived during her tenure, with the addition of significant open space, new recreational facilities and a commitment to preservation of local natural and cultural resources. This award recognizes a volunteer or group of volunteers for outstanding contributions to Fairfax County parks.
• The Harold L. Strickland Partnership and Collaboration Award: Honors the retired Park Board member’s service and significant contributions to the Park Authority by recognizing outstanding teamwork and cooperation necessary to provide state-of-the-art facilities in Fairfax County parks.
• The Mayo Stuntz Cultural Stewardship Award: Honors historian, volunteer and acclaimed author Mayo S. Stuntz by recognizing outstanding contributions to FCPA cultural preservation efforts.
• The Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award: Recognizes Sally B. Ormsby’s many years of service as a citizen steward and honors others who help preserve and educate about local natural resources and the importance of the environment.
• The Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award: Recognizes significant, tangible contributions made by individuals, organizations or businesses that help accomplish the Park Authority’s strategic priority to enhance diversity systemwide and foster a culture of inclusion in parks and/or within the surrounding community.

All nominations are due by Friday, June 23, 2023. The nomination form is available at Elly Doyle Park Service Awards Nominations website. Nominations in all categories may be submitted by the general public, including Park Authority employees and volunteers.

Award recipients will be honored later this fall. Additional information about the Elly Doyle Park Service Awards may be found at Elly Doyle Park Service Awards webpage.

For more information or for alternative formats of the applications, please contact the Public Information Office at 703-246-0592 or via Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

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This event is sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

The Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services. Visit the Park Foundation website or call them at 703-324-8582.