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

Related Resources

National Public Lands Day

national public lands day

National Public Lands Day 2025

National Public Lands Day is on Saturday, September 27, 2025. Stay tuned for more information about how you can get involved

Since 1994, 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

View all Park Authority volunteer opportunities


About Volunteering

National Public Lands Day Number of Volunteers

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 2025, 10,300 volunteers contributed more than 116,005 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 $3.8 million in in-kind support for the park system.


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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