At its meeting on July 10, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 23 individuals as outstanding volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system:

• Kate Anderson, Farmers Market Volunteer at Green Spring Gardens
• Kenneth Braswell, Golf Course Maintenance Assistant at Greendale Golf Course
• Dave Cox, Play Assistant Manager at Twin Lakes Golf Course
• Elizabeth Eisenberg, General Support Assistant at Oakmont Rec Center
• Howard Eisinger, Gardener at Sully Historic Site
• Yuki Ellis, Horticulturalist and Extraordinary Planer and Gardener at Burke Lake Golf Center
• Marijke Gate, Nature Program Volunteer at Riverbend Park
• Geri Herai, Gardening and Landscaping Volunteer at Spring Hill Rec Center
• Steven Johnson, Fitness Room Monitor at Audrey Moore Rec Center
• Karin Lehnigk, IMA Site Leader at Oakton Community Park
• Wayne Lynch, Golf Course Marshal at Pinecrest Golf Course
• Peggy Martz, Front Desk Associate at South Run Rec Center
• Kim Munshower, Assistant Program Leader at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
• Sue Myracle, Adapted Aquatics Assistant at South Run Rec Center
• Sam Nehman, General Support Assistant at Providence Rec Center
• Bob Ochs, Roving Naturalist and Duck Box Monitor at Huntley Meadows Park
• Nicholas Pece, General Support Assistant at George Washington Rec Center
• Robin Rueger, Trail Volunteer at Franconia Rec Center and Park
• Irma Ruiz, Front Desk Associate at Cub Run Rec Center
• Kate Scheuer, Tea Host and Flower Arranger at Green Spring Gardens and Historic House
• Christine Seigo, Assistant Park Educator at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park
• Vijay Singh, Golf Course Starter and Marshal at Laurel Hill Golf Club
• Maureen Wolford, Native Plan Gardening Park Volunteer Team Leader at Hidden Pond Park and Nature Center

More than 9,700 volunteers contributed to the operation, preservation and conservation of Fairfax County parks in Fiscal Year 2024. They contributed 110,777 hours of volunteer service and their work is valued at over $3.7 million. The Park Authority could not function without the support and commitment of our volunteer force.

“Our volunteers are the backbone of our efforts to create a more just, and accessible park system, making important changes in the field, through programs and outreach as opportunities arise. We ask a lot of our volunteers, and they gladly deliver,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole.

The Park Authority, joined by Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay, will honor all of its amazing volunteers with a special evening of music and celebration at the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Night taking place on Thursday, July 18 as part of the Government Center’s Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concert Series. The evening will kick off at 5:20 p.m. with a welcome and words of appreciation for our Outstanding Volunteers from McKay and Cole. Following the opening remarks, enjoy a memorable performance by The United States 257th Army Band.

The Evenings on the Ellipse series takes place on the lawn in the ellipse area directly behind the Government Center (12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax). The venue is outdoors on a grassy area, so attendees are encouraged to bring a blanket or folding chairs to comfortably enjoy the performance.

If there is any concern regarding weather on the night of the concert, please call the Park Authority’s hotline at 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour prior to the start of the concert for a status update.