• On December 6, 1950, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors created the Fairfax County Park Authority. The Park Authority was authorized to make decisions concerning land acquisition, park development and operations in Fairfax County, Virginia.
• Through the support of the Board of Supervisors and the foresight of the county citizens, ten park bond referenda were approved between 1959 and 2006. Today, the Park Authority has 420 parks on approximately 24,000 acres of land.

FACILITIES:

The Park system is the primary public mechanism in Fairfax County for the preservation of environmentally sensitive land and resources, areas of historic significance and the provision of recreational facilities and services including:

• Nine indoor RECenters with swimming pools, fitness rooms, gyms and class spaces.  Cub Run features an indoor  waterpark and on-site naturalist.
• Eight golf courses including Laurel Hill, our newest, upscale course and clubhouse located in Southern Fairfax County
• Five nature and visitor centers
• Several lakes including Lake Fairfax, Lake Accotink and Burke Lake
• An aquatic playground at the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston
• Two campgrounds in Reston and Fairfax Station
• Clemyjontri Park, a fully accessible playground in Great Falls featuring nearly two acres of family friendly fun and a carousel
• An ice skating rink at Mount Vernon RECenter and the Skate Park in Wakefield Park adjacent to Audrey Moore RECenter
• Kidwell Farm, a working farm of the 1930s era at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon
• Eight distinctive historic properties available for rent
• A working grist mill at Colvin Run in Great Falls and a restored 18th century home at Sully Historic Site in Chantilly
• A horticulture center at Green Spring Gardens in Annandale
• Thousands of acres of natural resources now further protected by the Natural Resource Management Plan and Cultural Resource Plan.
• Picnic shelters, tennis courts, miniature trains, carousels, miniature golf courses, disc golf courses, off-leash dog parks, amphitheaters, and marinas
• o Provides 275 athletic fields as well as park athletic field maintenance at 473 elementary and secondary schools plus several synthetic turf fields.

PARK AUTHORITY BOARD:

• A 12-member citizen board, appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, sets policies and priorities for the Fairfax County Park Authority. Nine of the board members represent the various magisterial districts of Fairfax County, and three are members-at-large.
• The public may attend the regular public meetings of the Board every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Herrity Building at 12055 Government Center Parkway, ninth floor boardroom, in Fairfax, Virginia.

FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION:

• The mission of the Fairfax County Park Foundation is to strengthen the connection between the citizens of Fairfax County and their parks by creating innovativ partnerships that provide funding for: Preservation of our open spaces, improvement of our parks, trails, and recreational facilities, restoration of historic sites and nature centers and advocacy for quality parks and open space in Fairfax County. For more information please call (703) 324-8581.

OPERATIONAL COSTS: 

• Financial resources for the operations and maintenance of facilities are provided by the County's general fund (County tax assessments), and a revenue fund of facility user fees. The Park Authority provides more than 50% of their budget through revenue programs.

INFORMATION:

• Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request. To request Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodations, call 703-324-8563 ten days in advance of the event or program.
• PHONE: 703-324-8700
• TTY: 703-803-3354
• EMAIL: parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov
• WEB SITE: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks