Department Resources

National Park and Recreation Month

NRPA Park and Recreation Month banner

Build Together, Play Together: 40 Years of Park and Recreation Month

Launched in 1985, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Park and Recreation Month!

Each July, we celebrate park and recreation professionals and how they improve the lives of tens of millions of people, making a lasting impact in communities across the country. Park and recreation programs are essential to community health and well-being and help cultivate lifelong friendships, memories and family bonds that people hold dear decades later.

Together, we’re building and maintaining sustainable parks and green spaces for current and future generations.

Together, we’re building thriving communities focused on health and well-being.

Together, we’re building high-quality programs and spaces accessible and inclusive for all.

Together, we help people play and connect — through yoga, art classes, picnics and more.

Celebrate Park and Recreation Month with activities that bring people together! This year’s theme, Build Together, Play Together, is all about community connection.

Get involved:

Volunteer for park cleanups and special projects
- Sign up!
Help restore natural habitats through the Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program
- Join the IMA Community
Enjoy a community picnic
- Find a picnic area near you
- Picnic in the parkColvin Run Mill, Sunday, July 20, 4 to 6 p.m.

Come out, meet your neighbors and help make our parks even better!

Fairfax County parks offer inclusive experiences for individuals of all abilities — from sensory-friendly play zones to accessible trails to adapted programs.

Inclusive Park Spaces

Clemyjontri Park and Trackless Train
A one-of-a-kind playground where children of all abilities can play side by side. Ride the ADA-compliant trackless train that circles the park — fun for all ages.
Our Special Harbor
A fully accessible Chesapeake Bay-themed sprayground featuring a spraying osprey nest, Chessie the sea serpent, misting sunflowers and a lighthouse. Enjoy both lively features and a quieter beach area with soft bubblers and interactive water tables.
Chessie’s Big Backyard & Trail
A 2,160-foot accessible boardwalk leads through the woods to sensory-rich features like a sound garden, spinning rocks, wildlife sculptures and a unique nest seating area. The trail connects to a fully accessible tree house and a forest-themed playground with padded rubber surfacing.

Adapted Programs for All Abilities

Join inclusive programs designed for all ages and abilities! From award-winning adapted aquatics to dance, fitness, music, nature and sports, Fairfax County Park Authority offers structured, supportive classes led by experienced instructors.

Explore Inclusive Recreation Options

Get out and hike, bike or walk with over 22,000 acres of land, the Park Authority is the leading provider of active and passive recreational facilities in the region. Enjoy over 334 miles of trails in the County’s park system alone. 

Hike
Hike through diverse habitats including beautiful stream valleys, shady woodlands and green meadows along the 41.5 mile Gerry Connolly Cross County trail.

Find trails in your neighborhood and discover your new favorite nature spot with the Fairfax County Trail Buddy interactive map.
Bike
Experience nature from a new perspective, on wheels! Find bike routes on the Bike Fairfax Interactive Map. Don’t have a bike? Rent one to cycle through the trails at Lake Accotink Park.
Learn
Get to know your local flora and fauna on the trails, in our parks, and in our nature centers! Visit the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center to learn about environmental stewardship through interactive indoor-outdoor play.

This July, escape the heat at one of our many waterfront parks!

Rent a pedal boat or kayak at the Lake Fairfax, Burke Lake or Lake Accotink Marinas. When you are done, enjoy a snack at one of our picnic areas.
Take a dip at the waterpark or pool.
Bring the whole family to The Water Mine for a thrilling ride on plummeting waterslides or a leisurely float along the lazy river—you choose!

For an indoor option, visit the Cub Run Rec Center’s Leisure Pool or get your workout in at the lap lanes.

Bring joy with carousel rides, mini-golf and train excursions:

Putting a couple rounds of mini golf at one of our four amazing courses makes for an ideal and affordable family outing. At Burke Lake Park, Jefferson Falls, Lake Accotink and Oakmont, you’ll find both amusement and a challenge!
Nothing says summer like a carousel ride. Come take a spin at a carousel in one of our many parks and enjoy this nostalgic treat for parents and kids alike.
With 229 total playgrounds in the parks, including the expansive accessible playground at Clemyjontri park, there’s something for all kids to enjoy. Clemyjontri’s swings, slides, play equipment are designed for children with a wide range of abilities to learn, play, and build confidence in a supportive and accessible setting.
Ride the Miniature Central Pacific Huntington Steam Engine at Burke Lake Park! This kids train ride travels over 1.75 miles of track, taking 10 minutes and reaching speeds of 10 to 12 miles per hour.

Challenge yourself at the newly opened rock climbing wall and bouldering area at Mount Vernon Rec Center. Discover your inner strength and learn a new, exciting sport!

Take to the ice at one of Mount Vernon Rec Center’s NHL-sized ice rinks! Live out your figure skating dreams or simply cool off from the summer heat.

Experience the sport that’s sweeping the nation- pickleball! This racquet-based sport is the perfect casual social activity for all ages. Find a pickleball court near you using the Fairfax County Park Amenity Locator.

Fully Renovated Mount Vernon Rec Center

This new facility features an expanded Ice Arena, modern Fitness Center and the Park Authority’s first ever climbing wall.

Explore four exciting additions to the park system—two brand-new parks and two revitalized community favorites. Each space offers fresh, thoughtfully designed features that meet the unique needs of its neighborhood.

New Parks

Mount Vernon Woods Park - This all-ages destination includes a playground, multi-sport court, open play field, fitness area and more—with a new skate park coming soon.

Ruckstuhl Park - Nestled in Vienna, this peaceful retreat features a playground, outdoor fitness stations, ADA-accessible trails and a picnic pavilion—perfect for neighborhood strolls and quiet afternoons.

Park Upgrades

Hybla Valley Park - Now home to a vibrant, all-ability playground and a reimagined multi-sport court, this park also boasts improved parking and enhanced accessibility for the surrounding community.

McLean Central Park - This community hub has been transformed with an inclusive playground, expanded pavilion seating, upgraded courts, refreshed fitness areas and enhanced trails and landscaping.

These improvements reflect our ongoing commitment to creating safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.

To find a park near you and explore everything Fairfax County parks have to offer, visit Park Amenity Locator.

Park Locator

Find the right park for you based on location, amenity type, and proximity using our Park Locator tool.

Find a Park

Trail Buddy

Chart your course for adventure using the Park Authority’s Trail Buddy App!

Learn More

Park Authority

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Department Resources

National Park and Recreation Month

Build Together, Play Together: 40 Years of Park and Recreation Month

#BuildTogetherPlayTogether