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

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About Us

HISTORY

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. To date, 13 park bond referenda have been approved between 1959 and 2016. Today, the Park Authority has 420 parks on more than 23,000 acres of land. We offer 325 miles of trails, our most popular amenity.

View History Timeline

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 Rec Centers with swimming pools, fitness rooms, gyms and class spaces. Cub Run features an indoor water park and on-site naturalist
  • Eight golf courses from par-3 to championship level, four driving ranges including the new state-of-the-art heated, covered range at Burke Lake Golf Center
  • Five nature and visitor centers. Also nine Off-Leash Dog Activity areas
  • Three lakefront parks including Lake Fairfax, Lake Accotink and Burke Lake, with campgrounds at Burke Lake and Lake Fairfax. The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax, Our Special Harbor Sprayground at Lee as well as an indoor water park at Cub Run Rec Center
  • Clemyjontri Park, a fully accessible playground in Great Falls featuring two acres of family friendly fun and a carousel, as well as Chessie’s Big Backyard and a carousel at the Family Recreation Area at Lee District Park
  • An ice skating rink at Mount Vernon Rec Center and the Skate Park in Wakefield Park adjacent to Audrey Moore Rec Center
  • Kidwell Farm, a working farm of the 1930s-era at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, now with historic carousel
  • 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
  • Natural and cultural resources protected by the Natural Resource Management Plan and Cultural Resource Plans, plus an Invasive Management Area program that targets alien plants and utilizes volunteers in restoring native vegetation throughout our community
  • Picnic shelters, tennis courts, miniature golf courses, disc golf courses, off-leash dog parks, amphitheaters, a marina, kayaking/canoeing center
  • Provides 263 athletic fields, including 39 synthetic turf fields, and manages athletic field maintenance services at 417 school athletic 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.

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, VA. Visit Public Comment for information regarding speaking at the public meeting.

FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK FOUNDATION

The Park Foundation helps pick up where tax dollars leave off by raising private funds, obtaining grants and creating partnerships to meet community needs for park land, facilities and services. Programs include land preservation, trail building, community concerts, capital projects support and services to low income children and people with disabilities. Visit Fairfax County Park Foundation online or call 703-324-8581.

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