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
Fairfax County Park Authority

What We Do

The Park Authority Mission is to enrich quality of life for all members of the community through an enduring park system that provides a healthy environment, preserves natural and cultural heritage, offers inspiring recreational experiences, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

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Dr. Rebecca Kormos

Renowned Wildlife Biologist, Filmmaker To Visit Green Spring Gardens
Dr. Rebecca Kormos, renowned wildlife biologist, filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer, is set to engage audiences in a thought-provoking discussion centered around her latest book "Intertwined: Women, Nature, and Climate Justice" on Saturday, June 1, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Green Spring Gardens. This event serves as a unique opportunity for individuals to gain insights into the vital connection between gender, environmental conservation and climate justice, while also offering practical avenues for advocacy and support. Registration is required and admission is $12 per person. Come join the discussion as Dr. Kormos will delve into the disproportionate impact of climate change on women and highlighting their critical role as holders of valuable knowledge about nature. Despite this, women often find themselves excluded from decision-making forums concerning the future of the planet. Joined by women conservationists, Dr. Kormos will explore themes raised in her book, emphasizing how the leadership of women in nature protection can be better supported and amplified. Following the talk, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Dr. Kormos during a book-signing session, providing a chance for further discussion and interaction. Register for Intertwined - Women, Nature and Climate Justice Green Spring Gardens is located at 4603 Green Spring Road in Alexandria. For more information, visit the Green Spring Gardens website or call 703-642-5173.
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People sipping wine at a golf course
Sip, Paint and Unwind at Laurel Hill
Enjoy an evening of relaxation and creativity at Laurel Hill Golf Club’s Sip and Paint event on Thursday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. Unwind with a beautiful view overlooking the golf course and paint your very own masterpiece with guided instruction. Guests will be provided with all necessary paint supplies, two glasses of wine and light hors d’oeuvres to enjoy while painting. Cost is $65. Whether you're an experienced painter or picking up a brush for the first time, don’t miss this opportunity to create beautiful art in a scenic setting. The event is rain or shine. Register by May 19 for Laurel Hill Sip and Paint Laurel Hill Golf Club is located at 8701 Laurel Crest Drive, in Lorton. For more information about this event and other Golf Fairfax programs, please visit the Golf website.
Lake fairfax park skating rink
Park Authority, Caps Open New Inline Skate Rink at Lake Fairfax Park
The new inline skate rink at Lake Fairfax Park is open for business! The Fairfax County Park Authority and Washington Capitals joined to commemorate the opening of the inline skate rink on Saturday, May 11 with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and free hockey skills clinic. It was a fantastic event with representatives from the Park Authority, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Washington Capitals and an active community ready to drop the puck! “This was a phenomenal day to celebrate the opening of a wonderful new inline skate rink – a first for the Fairfax County Park Authority,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole. “One of the reasons we have a world-class park system is that we work with our community to provide a wide variety of amenities to support a whole world of interests. From sports, recreation and fitness to nature, history and the arts, we are committed to seeking out and providing diverse opportunities to serve our community.” See more photos by visiting the Park Authority's Flickr page.  The inline skate rink at Lake Fairfax Park boasts an 85-foot-by-185-foot rink with player boxes, penalty boxes, hockey goals and bleachers. The rink, constructed with sport floor tiles on an asphalt pad, is ideal for roller hockey and skating, with easy maintenance and modular tile replacement. The project was made possible in partnership with the Washington Capitals, which donated the rink via turnkey installation on an improved site constructed by the Park Authority. "The Capitals are proud to partner with the Fairfax County Park Authority on this new facility," said Capitals director of youth hockey development Peter Robinson. "Investments like this one are part of the Capitals commitment to growing the game of hockey by providing access to the sport in all its forms. This new outdoor rink is focused on ball hockey and inline hockey, and we are excited for the programming that will take place here for years to come." The rink is currently open for general use (when not reserved) from 9 a.m. until dark. Once the lighting is programmed, the rink will remain open until 9:30 p.m. For more information about the rink, visit the Lake Fairfax Park Skate Park webpage and select the “Inline Skate Rink” tab. Lake Fairfax Park is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive in Reston. For more information, visit the Lake Fairfax Park website or call 703-471-5415. 
People walking on trails
Park Authority to Commemorate 10th Anniversary of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail with National Trails Day Celebration
This National Trails Day, join the Fairfax County Park Authority, Rep. Gerry Connolly, local leaders and the community in celebrating 10 years of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail! Join us on Saturday, June 1, from 9 to 11 a.m., at the Laurel Hill Central Green to celebrate the Park Authority’s more than 330 miles of trails. Don’t miss this fun – and free – morning event! Activities will include a variety of interactive and educational experiences: Explore nature with the Park Authority’s mobile nature center – the Wonder Wagon. Climb aboard a fire truck and meet members of Fairfax County’s Fire and Rescue team. Learn to plan a hike using the Park Authority’s Trail Buddy App. Explore the history of Laurel Hill Park. Bring your bike along and link up with fellow riders along the local bike trails. Join us for a guided hike Laurel Hill’s natural resource management area. Laurel Hill Central Green is located at 8780 Lorton Road in Lorton. Those planning to hit the trails with FCPA should come prepared with proper footwear and attire, insect repellant, sunscreen and plenty of water. To learn more about the event, please visit our National Trails Day webpage. View the National Trails Day Flyer Established by the American Hiking Society in 1993, National Trails Day is an annual event that brings communities together to celebrate trails, encourage stewardship of local hiking paths and raise awareness for trail preservation. On National Trails Day and every day, the Fairfax County Park Authority encourages residents to take advantage of our expansive trail system throughout the county, which includes the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. The 42-mile cross county trail connects the whole county from the Occoquan to the Potomac rivers and passes through every magisterial district. To learn more about this and other trails throughout the Park Authority’s trail network, visit the Trails website.
Pollinator Garden
Celebrate Gardening with the Friends of Lake Accotink Park
Calling all nature enthusiasts and gardening aficionados! Join in celebrating National Gardening Day at Lake Accotink Park on Saturday, June 1 with the Friends of Lake Accotink Park between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. This hands-on learning experience not only provides a chance to rub elbows with the pros, but you can help leave a positive mark on the Margaret Kinder Pollinator Garden at Lake Accotink Park. Work alongside experts to learn the tricks of the trade in caring for the garden and pollinator plants. The Friends of Lake Accotink will also provide seeds, plants and instructions on how to start your own pollinator garden (while supplies last). Gardening guests can meet at the Margaret Kinder Pollinator Garden located just up the hill from the marina at Lake Accotink Park and adjacent to the large group pavilion. For more information or to sign up for these events, please visit the Friends of Lake Accotink Park website. Lake Accotink is located at 7500 Accotink Park Road in Springfield. For information about the park, please visit the Lake Accotink Park website or call 703-569-3464.
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