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Teens Learn To Lead as Camp Counselors In Training

April 13, 2023

The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) is seeking teenagers looking to develop their leadership and communication skills to become Counselors in Training (C.I.T.). The C.I.T. program is open to teens ages 14 and older and provides real-world experience in planning and leading activities for elementary-aged children participating in FCPA camps and Rec-PAC.

Teens Learn To Lead as Camp Counselors In Training

Explore the Wonders of the Wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park

April 13, 2023

Explore a thriving wetland sanctuary during Wetlands Awareness Day! Join us in celebrating the significance of Huntley Meadows Park and get connected with the treasured homes and habitats of the wildlife throughout the park on Sunday, May 7, from noon to 4 p.m.

Explore the Wonders of the Wetlands at Huntley Meadows Park

Poetry in the Parks Comes to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

April 13, 2023

It’s National Poetry Month and Arab American Heritage Month. Celebrate both at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park with the first in a series of Poetry in the Parks events.

Poetry in the Parks Comes to Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Marcos Suarez

July 15, 2022

Meet Marcos! Name: Marcos Suarez Position: Area 4 Manager, Park Operations Division, Fairfax County Park Authority

Marcos Suarez

Gina Sando

October 1, 2022

Get to know Gina Sando! Name: Gina Sando Position: Visitor Services Manager, Resource Management Division, Fairfax County Park Authority.

Gina Sando

Charlie Allen

October 1, 2022

Meet Charlie! Name: Charlie Allen (They/Them/Theirs) Position: Intern, Access and Inclusion Branch, Park Services Division, Fairfax County Park Authority.

Charlie Allen

Fishing for Future Generations

March 25, 2022

Fishing is a sport that everyone can participate in and brings many people pleasure. Fish is also one of the healthiest dinners people may choose to eat. Our fisheries are not a finite resource, so we must learn to protect them to ensure that future generations may enjoy the sport. Here are a couple of tips to follow that will help each angler be a steward of the angling community.

Fishing for Future Generations

Tips and Tricks to Fishing in the Fall Season

September 28, 2022

By Jordan Jenkins. As the cooler weather comes along, some people may think fishing in Fairfax County is over, but the bite is just getting started! Fall is one of the best times of the year to get out on the water and catch some fish. In the fall, it is common for fish to begin stocking up and feeding more so they can get nice and big before the winter. Before getting out on the water in the fall months, there’s a few tips and tricks to the trade that can help you make fall your favorite fishing season.

Tips and Tricks to Fishing in the Fall Season

How to Target Individual Species

January 3, 2023

By Dan Grulke. Fairfax County lakes offer a variety of species from bass to bluegill. These fish have preferences, so you may need to choose specific baits to entice the fish you are trying to catch. Using basic tackle and techniques, here are a few tips and tricks on targeting specific fish. Largemouth Bass Largemouth bass can be found in most lakes in Virginia and the U.S. They are one of the most targeted freshwater species of fish out there. There are many ways to catch these fish, which have been proven effective.

How to Target Individual Species

Untold Stories: Freedom Hill Draws Family from Near and Far

August 4, 2021

The thirst for history from a more personal vantage point was on full display July 31, 2021, when a large crowd, including family members from several states, park neighbors, members of the Park Authority Board and staff, local officials, and History Commission members, gathered at Freedom Hill Park in Vienna for the inaugural Untold Stories program.

Untold Stories: Freedom Hill Draws Family from Near and Far

More Than Just Fishing

October 7, 2020

By Dan Grulke In its simplest form, fishing is casting a line with a lure or bait into the water in hopes of catching a fish. If that were all that was involved in this sport or hobby, few would continue to participate in it. So the real question is, “Why do people go fishing?”

More Than Just Fishing

Fall Fishing - Targeting Bass

October 7, 2020

Fall is here and cool, crisp weather has started to emerge as the leaves change their hues. This means it is time to get a pole in the water, and perhaps find yourself a trophy. The period between late summer and early fall is a great time to do some bass fishing if you have the right knowledge. This article will focus on the keys to successful, local fall bass fishing.

Fall Fishing - Targeting Bass

Fishing with Children

October 14, 2020

By Dan Grulke There are many ways to enjoy a successful fishing trip with children. The main principle is to make it fun, end the fishing trip while they are still having fun and help them achieve a positive and attainable experience. Below are some of the techniques I use with kids in our fishing classes.

Fishing with Children

Striped Bass Fishing in Fairfax County

October 13, 2020

By Chase Brown

Striped Bass Fishing in Fairfax County

Maintaining Your Fishing Equipment

October 14, 2020

By Chase Brown Proper maintenance off all your fishing equipment -- including rods, reels, tackle, accessories, etc.-- is important in order to extend its life and get the most use for your hard-earned dollar. Just like a wizard who needs a properly working wand to cast magic spells, the same holds true for you and your fishing rod. Below are some tips on how to extend the life of your equipment. Rods

Maintaining Your Fishing Equipment

Cold-Weather Fishing

November 19, 2020

By Dan Grulke Although the numbers of fish caught per outing decrease during the colder months of the year, the cool temperatures provide the angler with a better chance at a trophy fish (for some species). Fish in area waters that are still active include the smallmouth bass, walleye and musky. In addition, the larger-sized members of these species are generally the fish that are more active. These aspects are what provides the angler with a trophy of a lifetime opportunity.

Cold-Weather Fishing

How to Shop for Fishing Tackle (Part 1)

December 29, 2020

By Dan Grulke How do I know what type of fishing equipment to purchase? Do I need an expensive fishing rod? What is the best fishing reel to get? The purpose of this article will be to answer some of these questions to simplify things for your fishing needs.

How to Shop for Fishing Tackle (Part 1)

Trout Fishing in Virginia

February 5, 2021

By Chase Brown With winter upon us, many anglers may have put away their fishing gear until spring. But the freezing temperatures can offer some phenomenal trout fishing if you know where to go and what to use. Trout is the common name for fish belonging to the genera Oncorhynchus, Salmo, Salvelinus, as well as the subfamily Salmoninae of the family Salmonidae. The most popular species that you can find in Virginia are the rainbow trout, brown trout or the brook trout.

Trout Fishing in Virginia

The Fishing Season is Finally Back

March 17, 2021

By Chase Brown Dust off your tackle box and take the tags off that brand-new fishing pole you got during the holidays because warmer weather is on the horizon and with it comes the early spring fishing season!

The Fishing Season is Finally Back

Park Authority Earns V3 Certified Employer Status

July 29, 2020

The Fairfax County Park Authority has become certified as a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. This designation serves as a welcome sign for veterans seeking employment with the agency. The V3 Program helps employers develop and implement long-term strategies and nationally recognized best practices in recruiting, hiring and retaining Veterans.

Park Authority Earns V3 Certified Employer Status

Help with Some Spring Cleaning in the Parks in April

February 26, 2020

Help tidy up your local parks and clear the earth’s arteries by volunteering for some spring cleaning in April. It’s a great way for individuals, families and groups to earn service hours, work on team building or simply give back to the local community.

Help with Some Spring Cleaning in the Parks in April

Oakton HS Students Remove Invasive Plants from Difficult Run

February 12, 2020

Oakton HS Students Remove Invasive Plants from Difficult Run

Laurel Hill Park Volunteers Honored by Virginia House of Delegates

February 12, 2020

Pictured from left to right are Delegate Tran and Team Leader Susan Laume

Laurel Hill Park Volunteers Honored by Virginia House of Delegates

Volunteers Clean Up Lake Accotink Park on MLK Day of Service

January 22, 2020

More than 30 volunteers bundled up and braved the cold to help Lake Accotink Park on this year’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service.

Volunteers Clean Up Lake Accotink Park on MLK Day of Service

Volunteers Spend Day Off Cleaning Up Rabbit Branch Park

January 22, 2020

Volunteers Spend Day Off Cleaning Up Rabbit Branch Park

Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Released at Burke Lake Park

January 16, 2020

Rehabilitated Bald Eagle Released at Burke Lake Park

Winners Named in 2021 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest

January 15, 2021

On January 1-3, 2021, the Fairfax County Park Authority joined America’s state parks including Virginia State Parks to encourage everyone to start 2021 with a hike. In Fairfax County, it’s a great way to appreciate more than 450 miles of trails and to set the bar for a new year of fitness and outdoor activity. This year’s contests included special prize amounts of $70 to commemorate the Park Authority’s 70th anniversary.

Winners Named in 2021 First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest

Transurban Adopts Carousel Horse at Lee District Park

December 18, 2019

Lee District community leaders recently honored Transurban, operators of the 495 and 95 express lanes, for significant enrichment of Fairfax County parks through contributions to the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF).

Transurban Adopts Carousel Horse at Lee District Park

Azalea Park Renovations Celebrated by Community, Officials

September 18, 2019

Azalea Park Renovations Celebrated by Community, Officials

EQR Volunteers Clean Up Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

April 24, 2019

EQR Volunteers Clean Up Martin Luther King, Jr. Park

Burke Lake, Scott’s Run Photos Take Top Honors in First Hike Photo Contest

January 11, 2019

Burke Lake, Scott’s Run Photos Take Top Honors in First Hike Photo Contest

FROGS Sign Memorandum of Understanding at Green Spring Gardens

January 9, 2019

FROGS Sign Memorandum of Understanding at Green Spring Gardens

Park Bench Dedication Held for Former Park Director

November 28, 2018

Park Bench Dedication Held for Former Park Director

Park Authority Opens Renovated Backlick Park

November 20, 2018

Park Authority Opens Renovated Backlick Park

Resident Curator Signs Lease for Historic Turner Farmhouse

November 7, 2018

Resident Curator Signs Lease for Historic Turner Farmhouse

Parks Sign MOU with Friends of Pimmit Barn

October 17, 2018

Parks Sign MOU with Friends of Pimmit Barn

Winners Selected in 2018 Discovery Trail Bike Drawing

October 3, 2018

Winners Selected in 2018 Discovery Trail Bike Drawing

Ribbon Cut on New Griffith Park Playground in Falls Church

October 3, 2018

On Saturday, September 29, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrated the opening of the Griffith Park playground in Falls Church, Virginia.

Ribbon Cut on New Griffith Park Playground in Falls Church

Hidden Oaks Anniversary Celebration Honors Community Groups

October 3, 2018

Hidden Oaks Anniversary Celebration Honors Community Groups

Valis Family Golf Learning Center Opened at Pinecrest Golf

September 19, 2018

On Saturday, September 15, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority cut the ribbon on the newly renovated Valis Family Golf Learning Center at Pinecrest Golf Course in Annandale, Va. The expanded facility was named in recognition of Wayne and Angela Valis’ generous donation of a new TrackMan 4 Golf Simulator.

Valis Family Golf Learning Center Opened at Pinecrest Golf

Celebration Honors Partnership with Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund

September 19, 2018

Celebration Honors Partnership with Joey Pizzano Memorial Fund

New Turf Field Upgrades Dedicated at Nottoway Park

September 19, 2018

On Saturday, September 8, 2018, the Fairfax County Park Authority cut the ribbon on a newly renovated synthetic turf field at Nottoway Park in Vienna, Va. Local officials and field users gathered to celebrate the completion of Field #4.

New Turf Field Upgrades Dedicated at Nottoway Park