In a world increasingly dominated by technology and urban landscapes, parks have emerged as a vital sanctuary for inspiring and nurturing creativity. The Fairfax County Park Authority is proud to join with ArtsFairfax to encourage this connection through Poetry in the Parks, an initiative created by outgoing Fairfax County Poet Laureate Danielle Badra. The partnership aims to showcase the unique ways in which parks can serve as a canvas for creativity, culminating in a collection of works inspired by these green spaces.

To help achieve that mission, the Park Authority and ArtsFairfax are announcing the unveiling of new interpretive signs at Riverbend Park and Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (located in the Dranesville and Sully districts respectively) on Friday, Nov. 1. In addition to connecting creativity with nature through poems specifically selected by the Fairfax County Poet Laureate for each location, the new placards contain writing prompts and an invitation for creators to submit their creative writing, poetry and illustrations to ArtsFairfax’s “Poetry in the Parks” digital collection.

Join the Park Authority, ArtsFairfax and Fairfax County Supervisors Jimmy Bierman (Dranesville District) and Kathy Smith (Sully District) to celebrate the unveiling of this new park feature dedicated to igniting the creative spirit within us all.

• When: Friday, Nov. 1, 2024
• Time: 4:30 p.m.
• Where: Woodlands Stewardship Education Center; 5301 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA 20151

For additional information about this upcoming event, please contact the Park Authority Communications Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.