Park Authority

CONTACT INFORMATION: Open during regular business hours 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday
703-324-8700 TTY 711
12055 Government Center Pkwy.
Fairfax, Virginia 22035
Jai Cole
Executive Director

Department Resources

Park Authority Announces Public Comment Period for Royal Lake Trail Improvements

RoYal LakeThe Fairfax County Park Authority is nearing the completion of the design and permitting process for several trail improvements at Royal Lake in the Braddock District. As part of the process, the Park Authority has posted the environmental documentation for a Categorical Exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act, which is required in order to initiate the project. The documentation is available on the Royal Lake Trail Project webpage for public review, and comments will be accepted until Jan. 27, 2025.

The Park Authority has been worked closely with the Royal Lake community to develop the project scope and acquire the necessary funding to initiate five trail improvement projects surrounding Royal Lake, including:

  • Royal Lake Bridge Replacement: Replacement of the pedestrian bridge over Rabbit Branch on the north side of Royal Lake.
  • Royal Lake to Commonwealth Boulevard Trail: Construction of a new stream valley trail connecting an existing asphalt trail north of Lakeside Park to Commonwealth Boulevard.
  • Richardson Court to Lakeside Park Trail: Repaving the park entrance trail from Richardson Drive to the soccer and baseball fields at Lakeside Park.
  • Royal Lake Dam to Lakepointe Drive Trail: Paving of the natural surface trail linking the asphalt trail on top of the dam to the Royal Lake Loop Trail.
  • Lakeside Park Shade Structure: Installation of a fabric shade structure and updated picnic equipment near the playground. This segment of the project is currently underway and is funded separately through local funds (not federally funded).

Funding for these projects is being provided from a variety of different sources, including the 2020 Park Bond, proffered funds and the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds program (authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act and administered by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation). The cumulative estimated project cost is approximately $1.3 million. Construction on the remaining projects is anticipated to begin in early 2025 and, weather permitting, will conclude by fall 2026. Additional project information will be published on the Royal Lake Trail project webpage as the project progresses.

Royal Lake is located at 5216 Pommeroy Drive in Fairfax. For questions about this project, please email royal-lake@publicinput.com or call 703-324-8725.

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