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

Parks Count! Better Parks for Better Living

Parks Count! better parks better living

Parks Count is the Fairfax County Park Authority's Needs Assessment Study. The study uses research, surveys, and analysis, to help the agency better understand what customers need from a park and recreation system and how to best balance and prioritize those needs across the County. The Parks Count process began in 2014 and concluded in 2016, producing recommendations for capital investments in the park system based on a body of data that the Park Authority will continue using for years to come.

Needs Assessment Final Report cover
Click image to download Fairfax County Park Authority Needs Assessment Final Report

Parks Count is the Fairfax County Park Authority's Needs Assessment Study.  The study uses research, surveys, and analysis, to help the agency better understand what customers need from a park and recreation system and how to best balance and prioritize those needs across the County.  The Parks Count process began in 2014 and concluded in 2016, producing recommendations for capital investments in the park system based on a body of data that the Park Authority will continue using for years to come.

The Needs Assessment Final Report presents a compilation of work products generated over the two year period and makes recommendations on how the Park Authority should proceed.  The report, prepared by the PROS Consulting team, includes:

  • RECenter facility assessment findings
  • Natural and cultural cost assessment findings
  • A summary of need survey results
  • Need analysis and service level recommendations
  • Consultant recommendations for future planning
  • Capital improvement framework to guide investments for the next ten years

The Final Report can be downloaded, in full, from this website.  Appendices include all or portions of other work products, including the Survey Findings Report.  For more information, or to locate particular parts of the report, please contact the Park Authority via parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov .

Putting the Plan into Action

One of the first opportunities to put the Parks Count findings into action is through the 2016 Park Bond.  Consistent with the Needs Assessment Capital Improvement Framework, an emphasis on reinvestment and renovations, as well as strategically chosen new facilities, will be evident in the 2016 Park Bond project list. Find more information on the 2016 Park Bond.

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