Council of Virginia Archaeologists Michael Hoffman Award

National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) 

• Lucca Twohie in New Professional Category 

2023 Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Award (Virginia Energy Efficiency Council) 

• Cub Run Rec Center 
• South Run Rec Center 

Virginia Recreation and Park Society 

• Best New Health and Wellness Initiative: Sully Community Center Health and Wellness Programs 
• Best New Program: Adapted Park Explorers Program 
• Best New Renovation (Brick and Mortar): Hidden Oaks Nature Center 
• Most Creative Marketing Strategy: Jai Cole’s Parks Tour 
• Snapshot Moment: Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole 
• Outstanding New Professional: Monical Klock, Adapted Program Specialist 
• Distinguished Service Award: Roberta Korzen, Marketing Branch Manager

Northern Virginia Magazine’s “10 Best Dog Parks in Northern Virginia” 

• Baron Cameron Dog Park 
• South Run Dog Park 

Washingtonian Magazine “Best Of” List 

• Playgrounds 
  Clemyjontori Park 

USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards

• Splash Pad 
  Second Place (nationwide) 
  Our Special Harbor 

Northern Virginia’s Best Summer Camps List – 2023 (Northern Virginia Magazine) 

Golfers’ Choice – Top 10 Golf Courses in Virginia (Golf Pass) 

• Laurel Hill Golf Club

Top 50 Public Golf Ranges in the United States (Golf Range Magazine) 

• Burke Lake Golf Center 
• Oak Marr Golf Center 

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Magazine
Award of Excellence 
Parktakes Magazine 

Graphics – Brand Awareness
Second Place 
FCPA-Branded Bike Racks  

National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials (NACPRO)

• Cindy Walsh in Professional Fellow Category 

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) 30 Under 30 Award  

• Luca Twohie 

Land Manager of the Year (Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts, Inc.) 

• Jai Cole 

National Association of Counties (NACo) 2022 Achievement Awards

• My Summer Camp Planner 

Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS)

• Distinguished Volunteer Award – Jeffrey Kretsch
• Distinguished Private Sector Service Award – Northrop Grumman

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

E-Newsletter
Award of Excellence
Fairfax County Park Foundation E-newsletter

Grassroots Marketing Campaign (1st Place)
Park Bond Campaign

Magazine
Award of Excellence
Parktakes Magazine

Social Media Outreach (Nonpaid)
Award of Excellence
Farmers Markets Reopening

Special Event or Conference
Second
NASCOW Race

Special Purpose Publication
Award of Excellence
Samplings from Sully's Hearth

Website (2nd Place)
Virtual Exploration Center

National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials (NACPRO )

• Harry Glasgow in the Outstanding Contributor category
• Kirk Kincannon in the Professional - Lifetime category
• William Bouie in the Outstanding Public Official category
• Colvin Run Mill Miller's House Exhibit in the Historical or Cultural Facility category
• Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park in the Outstanding Support Organization category

Virginia Living Magazine’s “Best of Virginia 2021”

• Burke Lake Park, first place - Best Park category
• Frying Pan Farm Park, second place - Best Park category
• Riverbend Park, third place - Best Park category
• Clemyjontri Park, first place - Best Playground category
• Burke Lake Park, second place - Best Playground category
• Chessie’s Big Backyard, third place - Best Playground category
• Reston Farmers Market second place

Volunteer Fairfax Environmental Sustainability Group Award

• South Run RECenter’s Volunteer Landscape Team 

National Association of Counties (NACO)

• 2020 Achievement Award
• County Administration and Management
• Park Authority Idea Portal

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Award of Excellence (1st Place)

• Display Category
• Hidden Oaks Nature Center HONC Winged Wonders Wall
• Award of Excellence (2nd place)

E-Newsletter Category

• ResOURces
• Award of Excellence

Magazine Category

• Partakes
• Award of Excellence

Writers Portfolio Award of Excellence

• Karen Thayer
• Award of Excellence (2nd Place)

Infographic Category

• Parks by the Numbers
• Award of Excellence (2nd Place)

Social Media Outreach (Nonpaid) Category

• Animals at Frying Pan Farm Park Snow Day Advice

National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials (NACPRO )

Outstanding Contributor

• The Lazar Family – Heidi Allen and Tibor Lazar

Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS)

Northern Virginia Magazine

• Best of NoVA 2020
• Best Picnic Location and Public Park – Burke Lake Park

American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA), in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association

2019 National Gold Medal Award (Class 1: Populations 400,000+)

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Award of Excellence (1st Place)
Writer’s Portfolio Category
Karen Thayer

Award of Excellence (2nd Place)

Brand Identity Category
Women & Golf Fairfax

Award of Excellence (2nd Place)

Magazine Category
Healthy Strides 2019 Calendar

Award of Excellence

Calendar Category
Healthy Strides 2019 Calendar

National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials (NACPRO )

Outstanding Volunteer
Michael Applegate

Outstanding Support Organization

FROGS (Friends of Green Spring Gardens)

Historical and Cultural Facility

Stempson House RCP

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

FCPA Finance Team

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Award of Excellence
Annual Report Category
2017 Strategic Plan and Annual Report

Award of Excellence
Calendar Category
Healthy Strides 2018 Calendar

Calendar Category-Award of Excellence
Writer’s Portfolio Category
Karen Thayer (2nd Place)

Award of Excellence
Writer’s Portfolio Category
David Ochs (blog)

Award of Excellence
Promotional Campaign less than $100,000
Burke Lake Golf Center

Award of Excellence
E-Newsletter
Golf Fairfax E-Newsletter

Award of Excellence
Social Media
#WhereisLordFairfax
Discovery Trail Maps

Award of Excellence
Webart
Leash Laws

National Association for Interpretation (NAI)

Suzanne Holland – Hidden Oaks Nature Center
NAI Region 2’s Shining Star Veteran Category

National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials (NACPRO)

Park & Recreation Facility Class II Award for Lee District Family Recreation Center
Outstanding Contributor Award for Jean & Ric Edelman

Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS)

Distinguished Volunteer Award- Shannon Dart
Best New Facility – Chessie’s Trail
Snapshot Moment-Dog Daze (Cristin Bratt)

Aquatics International

Best of Aquatics Winner for the Virginia Swims learn-to-swim collaboration

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 2017 Fiscal Year
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR)

National Association for Interpretation (NAI)

2018 Shining Star of Interpretation Award for Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s Suzanne Holland
Region 2 2018 Meritorious Service Award for Frying Pan Farm Park’s Yvonne Johnson
Region 2 2018 Outstanding Frontline Interpreter Award for Frying Pan Farm Park’s Claire Thomas
Region 2 2018 Outstanding New Interpreter Award for Huntley Meadows’ Margaret Wohler
Region 2 2018 Outstanding Interpretive Volunteer Award for Huntley Meadows’ Tara Miller and Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s Marilyn Schroeder

Fairfax County

2017 Environmental Stewardship Award presented to the Churchill Road Elementary School
Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Partnership
2017 Tree Commission Friends of Trees Award to the Invasive Management Area Program

2017 Awards

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Promotional Campaigns (less than $100,000):
Discovery Trail Map (Second Place)
Special Purpose Product:
Discovery Trail Map (Award of Excellence)
Electronic Publication:
Snapshots E-Newsletter (Second Place)

National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO)

Environmental/Conservation Award:
Invasive Management Program
Professional-Lifetime:
Sandy Stallman, Planning & Development Division
Outstanding Volunteer:
Norma Hoffman, Volunteer Huntley Meadows Park

Middle Atlantic Archaeological Conference

Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dr. Elizabeth Crowell, Fairfax County Park Authority’s Archaeology and Collections Branch

Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS)

Best New Facility (Bricks and Mortar) in a population area greater than 100,000:
Observatory Park at The Turner Farm
Best Promotional Effort-Traditional in a population area greater than 100,000:
2016 Discovery Trail Map-Presidential Election

Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award

Gold Medal in the Environmental Project Category:
Huntley Meadows Park’s Wetland Restoration

Northern Virginia Association for Volunteer Administration (NVAVA)

Volunteer Administrator of the Year:
Shawna Levins, Spring Hill RECenter Volunteer Manager

Fairfax County Tree Commission

Friends of Trees:
Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award

National Association of Counties (NACo)

2016 Achievement Award:
Virginia Swims

National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO)

Marketing Award:
Colvin Run Mill/Partners in Preservation (PiP) Campaign
Outstanding volunteer:
Hal Strickland
Park and Recreation Areas or Facilities:
Spring Hill RECenter Expansion and Renovation Project
Environmental/Conservation Award:
Wetlands Restoration Project at Huntley Meadows Park

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Shoestring Budget:
65 Years of Making Parks Count (First Place)
Web Article:
Riverbend Park's Adapted Kayaking Program (First Place)
K-12 Educational Programs:
Be a Buddy Not a Bully (Award of Excellence)
Special Purpose Publication:
Great Parks-Great Communities FY2015 Strategic Plan Report (First Place)
Brochures/Booklet (20 pages or less):
Helping Our Land Heal (Second Place)
Article
1963 Record-Setting Swim Team Shapes Up for Old Times' Sake (First Place)
Writer’s Portfolio
Parktakes Articles: 1963 Record-Setting Swim Team Shapes Up for Old Times' Sake, Farm Camp-A Kids Summer Fun Frontier, The Healing Power of Exercise, Finding Life Balance in Fitness, Women Tee Up for Ladies-Only Golf (Second Place)

Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS)

Best Promotional Effort-Traditional:
2015 Strategic Plan Report
Best Promotional Effort-Specialty:
Park Authority’s Annual RECenter Membership Sale Video
Best New Renovation/Addition - Bricks and Mortar:
Spring Hill RECenter
Best New Renovation/Addition - Parks, Playgrounds, Blueways, Greenways or Trails:
The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole
Best New Program:
Pinecrest Golf Course’s FootGolf Program
Distinguished Volunteer Service Award:
Catherine Ledec, President of the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park

Virginia Division on Career Development and Transition

2016 Employer of the Year Award:
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Leadership Fairfax

Katherine K. Hanley Public Service Award:
Park Authority Board Chairman William Bouie

Fairfax County Community Services Board (CSB)

Honors Award in Customer Service:
Adapted Aquatics Program Volunteers

National Association of Counties (NACo)

2015 Achievement Award:
Healthy Strides Community 5k/10k Race and Expo

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Annual Report:
Annual Report: Getting the Job Done: Collaboration, Innovation and Partnerships (Award of Excellence)
Technical or Statistical Report:
Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) (Award of Excellence)
Graphic Design:
What’s New Postcard (First Prize)
Logo/Theme Art:
5 Days of Iron (Second Prize)
Special Purpose Product:
Discovery Trail Map (Second Prize)
E-Newsletter:
ResOURces E-Newsletter (Second Prize)
Web Article:
Northern Snakeheads: New Burke Lake Residents (Award of Excellence)

Government Finance Officers Association

Virginia Recreation and Park Society (VRPS)

Best New Renovation/Addition (Brick and Mortar) for areas with a population greater than 100,000:
Oak Marr RECenter
Best New Special Event:
Pirate Fest
Distinguished Volunteer:
Bob Dinse

The Northern Virginia Chapter of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties

Award of Merit:
Spring Hill RECenter Expansion and Renovation Project

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD)

Diane Hoffman 2015 Cooperator of the Year:
Hidden Pond Nature Center Manager Mike McCaffrey

Fairfax County Exceptional Design Honor Award

Recreational Design Excellence:
Renovation of Oak Marr RECenter

Sesquicentennial Leadership Recognition Awards

Fairfax County’s Sesquicentennial Committee leaders

Learning Resources Network (LERN)

International Award Best Management Practice:
Class and Summer Camp Summits

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Excellence in Inclusion Award:
Our Special Harbor, Chessie’s Big Backyard, Clemyjontri Park
Kudos Marketing Award:
Colvin Mill Run, Partners in Preservation (PiP) contest

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Shoestring Budget:
Black Friday Campaign
Article:
Chessie’s Big Backyard
Special Events:
Healthy Strides Community 5K/10K & Fitness Expo (Award of Excellence)
Mobile Application:
Parktakes Mobile (Award of Excellence)

Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting

Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS)

Best New Renovation/Addition Award:
Huntley Meadows Wetland Restoration Project
Distinguished Volunteer Service Award:
Longtime Huntley Meadows Park Volunteer Norma Hoffman

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Best in Show Award:
Take Back the Forest
Special Event:
Take Back the Forest
Commercial/Studio/Staged Photography:
Fitness Portrait
Audio Communications:
Audio Tour of Ox Hill Battlefield Park

American Express & The National Trust for Historical Preservation

Partners in Preservation Award Winner:
Colvin Run Mill

Virginia Recreation & Park Society (VRPS)

Distinguished Volunteer:
Ken Quincy
Distinguished Private Sector Award:
REI

Learning Resources Network (LERN)

International Award Best Management Practice:
Class and Summer Camp Summits

Best of Aquatics Aquatics International Magazine

2012 Best Spray Park Award:
Our Special Harbor Spray Ground

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Award of Excellence:
Colvin Run Mill Exhibit
Award of Excellence:
Sully East Wing Exhibit
Award of Excellence:
Take 12! Steps for Community Health in 2012 calendar

Government Finance Officer Association (GFOA)

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting:
Fiscal Year 2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)

Fairfax County Celebrate Community and Business Partnerships

Blue Ribbon Partnership Award:
FCPA & Nadar Por Vida (Swimming for Life)

Best of Aquatics Aquatics International Magazine

Best Overall Commitment to Aquatics

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Display Category
Riverbend Park: A Rare and Rugged Refuge (Award of Excellence)
Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanities Award:
Class I – Summer Entertainment Series: Ossian Hall International Performance Series
Southern Network Distinguished Professional Award:
Cindy Messinger
National Humanitarian – Corporate:
Fairfax County Park Foundation
Kudos Marketing Piece:
Non-Native Invasive ID and Control Handbook
National Voluntary Service:
Harold L. Strickland

2011 Land Conservation Award

North Twin Lake Dam Rehabilitation Project

International Academy of the Visual Arts Communicator Awards

Award of Distinction:
“Meeting the Challenge” Annual Report (Government)
Silver Communicator Award:
“Welcome to Colvin Run Mill” podcast(General)

National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA)

2010 National Gold Medal Award

National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC)

Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award - Display:
Dig Into the Past
Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award - Podcast:
Welcome to Your Parks

National Association of Counties Arts and Culture Commission

Arts and Culture Award:
Explore the World in Your Community performance series at Ossian Hall International Series

Virginia Recreation and Parks Society (VRPS)

Distinguished Volunteer Service Award:
At-large Park Authority Board Member George E. Lovelace
Best New Facility in a Community with Population Greater than 150,000:
Horse Stables at Frying Pan Farm Park

Lawrence V. Fowler Award

Harold Strickland