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

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National Public Lands Day

national public lands day

Notice

Park Authority staff and partners are continuing to monitor weather forecasts. The incoming weather system could impact volunteer efforts in some areas of the county. Please be sure to register for your desired volunteer event. By so doing, site managers will be able to contact you directly with any changes to the activity.


For 30 years, National Public Lands Day has mobilized volunteers of all ages to engage in a celebration of service and stewardship of America’s public lands. The event is the largest single-day national volunteer effort to preserve, restore, improve and enjoy America’s public lands.

We invite you to be a part of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s celebration of National Public Lands Day by taking part in any of a wide selection of service activities to protect the natural, cultural and recreational resources of our treasured park system!

“The Fairfax County Park Authority is the steward of more than 23,000 acres of parkland and 334 miles of trails throughout Fairfax County. Ours is the responsibility to preserve history, conserve natural resources and protect the precious amenities and resources where so many of our residents find peace, enjoyment, exercise and community. We are grateful for the selfless and generous contributions of time, talent and effort by thousands of volunteers each year.”

- Jai Cole, Executive Director of the Fairfax County Park Authority

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

service opportunities group picture

With help from many partners and community organizers, the Park Authority is pleased to host volunteer opportunities in every magisterial district. To learn more about a service activity, please select a location from the list below (organized by district):

  • Lakeside Park (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: Lakeside Park, Fairfax (specific meeting point will be provided by the IMA Site Leader with additional details to all who have signed up)

Sunday, September 24

  • Piney Branch Stream Valley Park (8 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 5095 Brentwood Farm Dr., Fairfax, VA

  • Bruin Park (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 415 Van Buren St., Herndon, VA
     
  • Scott’s Run Nature Preserve (8:30 to 10:30 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Watershed Clean-up
    7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA
     
  • Spring Hill Rec Center (3:30 to 5:30 p.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Sun Deck, Site Perimeter Clean-up
    Location: 1239 Spring Hill Rd., McLean, VA

  • Franconia Rec Center (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Trail Clean-up / Beautification
    Location: 6601 Telegraph Rd., Franconia, VA 22310

  • Hidden Pond (9 a.m.-12 p.m.)- Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Aquatic Plant Removal
    Location: 8511 Greeley Blvd., Springfield, VA 22152

  • Huntley Meadows Park (8 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Watershed Clean-up
    Location: 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, VA

  • Difficult Run Stream Valley Park Habitat Restoration Sunday, Sept. 24 (11:00 am - 1:00 pm)- Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 3119 Miller Heights Rd, Oakton, VA

  • Frying Pan Farm Park (9 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Mulching, Gardening, Trash Clean-up
    Location: 2709 West Ox Rd., Herndon, VA
     
  • Lake Fairfax Park (10 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Watershed Clean-up
    Location: 1400 Lake Fairfax Dr., Reston, VA
     
  • Merrybrook Run Stream Valley Park (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Park Clean-up
    Location: 2480 River Birch Rd., Herndon, VA

  • Luria Park (1 to 3 p.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 7624 Holmes Run Dr., Falls Church, VA
     
  • Ossian Hall Park (9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Park Clean-up
    Location: 7900 Heritage Dr., Annandale, VA
     
  • Providence Rec Center (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Trail and Site Perimeter Clean-up
    Location: 7525 Marc Dr., Falls Church, VA

  • North Hill Park (10 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Park Clean-up
    Location: 7230 Nightingale Hill Lane, Alexandria, VA

  • Eakin Park (9 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasives Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 8601 Tobin Rd., Annandale, VA
     
  • Oak Marr Rec Center (9:30 to 11:30 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: LOVE sign beautification
    Location: 3200 Jermantown Rd., Oakton, VA

  • Burke Lake Park (9 a.m. to Noon) – Sign Up
    Description: Watershed Clean-up
    Location: 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA
  • South Run Rec Center (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Fall Landscaping Clean-up
    Location: 7550 Reservation Dr., Springfield, VA
  • Twin Lakes Golf Course (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration
    Location: 6201 Union Mill Rd., Clifton, VA

  • Centre Ridge North Park (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Park Clean-up
    Location: Field Encampment Road, and St. Germain Dr., Centreville, VA
     
  • Cub Run Rec Center (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Front Entrance Weeding and Clean-up
    Location: 4630 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, VA
     
  • Pleasant Hill Park (9 to 11 a.m.) – Sign Up
    Description: Invasive Management Area Habitat Restoration}
    Location: 6305 Hidden Canyon Rd., Centreville, VA

PRINT & SHARE: National Public Lands Day Flyer (2023)

View All Volunteer Opportunities

ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

The Fairfax County Park Authority manages 420 parks, more than 334 miles of trails, nature centers, rec centers, golf courses, and athletic fields across more than 23,000 acres of public land and open space throughout Fairfax County. In fiscal year 2023, 9,645 volunteers contributed more than 111,782 service hours to support a wide variety of service activities from park clean-ups and plantings to supporting events and programs within the park system. The service-hour contribution equates to a financial investment of approximately $3.6 million in in-kind support for the park system.

Learn more information on volunteering with the Fairfax County Park Authority

MAKE EVERY DAY PUBLIC LANDS DAY

One of the best ways to maintain our gold-standard park system is through the small, simple and daily choices of our park visitors to minimize the impact of their visit at our facilities. Some of the suggestions  in the National Park Service’s Leave No Trace (Seven Principles) include:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces and Only in Specifically Designated Locations
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Others

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