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Celebrate National Water Safety Month with the Park Authority

As an agency that offers numerous opportunities to swim and enjoy the water at Rec Center pools, lake and riverfront parks and waterparks, the Fairfax County Park Authority celebrates water safety all year long. Each year, the Park Authority hires, trains and certifies lifeguards and swim instructors. During National Water Safety Month in May, the Park Authority is placing added emphasis on water safety and education. Dive Into Swim Lessons No matter your age, the Park Authority offers lessons in the pool to learn how to swim and increase your swimming skills. In addition to private and semi-private swim lessons, ongoing group swim classes offered include: Baby & Me (6-18 months) Toddler & Me (19 months-3 years) Pee Wee Paddler (3-7 years) Swimming for Children (6-12 years) Stroke Mechanics (6-18 years) In addition, the Park Authority has started offering swim lessons taught in Spanish at multiple Rec Centers. Bilingual instructors using the Virginia Swims curriculum teach lessons to swimmers in both English and Spanish. Contact your local Rec Center to identify bilingual aquatics lessons. Award-Winning Adapted Swim Programs Take part in an award-winning Adapted Aquatics Program for adults and children with physical and developmental disabilities. The program includes learn-to-swim classes, aquatic exercise classes and training for Special Olympics and Paralympic Swim Team competition. Water Safety Education for Children This spring the Park Authority brought back its Get Set, Get W.E.T. (Water Education Training) program. The free, 30-minute presentation aims to get children ages 3 to 5 comfortable with the concept of being in and around water and shares vital water safety tips. Since this program began in 2022, more than 10,000 children have participated in these classes and learned more about water safety. Advancing Skills with Summer Swim League For those looking to increase their skills in the water, the Park Authority offers the Summer Swim League for swimmers ages 6 to 14 to join a swim team and participate in swim meets this summer. The deadline to register is June 9. Together all these efforts combine to enhance swimming skills and water safety throughout Fairfax County. Learn more about National Water Safety Month webpage. For a complete listing of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s offerings in and around the pool, visit the Aquatics and Swimming webpage.

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Team Up and Tee Off at Spring Golf Tournaments

Partner up for fun competition this season with Golf Fairfax. Golfers of all ages and abilities are invited to showcase their skills. The more the merrier! Spring Best Ball Saturday, May 11, Jefferson District Golf Course (7900 Route 29, Falls Church) Teams of two (ages 18 and over) will compete in a 9-hole, best ball stroke play tournament. Cost $80 per team. For additional information and to register, visit the Jefferson District Golf Course website. Spring Two-Person Challenge Saturday, May 25, Burke Lake Golf Center (6915 Ox Road, Fairfax Station) Teams of two (ages 12 and over) will compete in an 18-hole best ball, scramble tournament. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third and closest to the pin. Cost is $90 per team and includes complimentary range balls, push cart, greens fees and lunch. For more information, visit the Burke Lake Golf Center website. Discover all Golf Fairfax has to offer with seven municipal golf courses, golf classes, tournaments and special events at Golf website.

Park Authority’s Summer Entertainment Series Begins June 1

In a few short weeks, the Park Authority’s 35th Summer Entertainment Series returns to Fairfax County Parks! Beginning June 1, residents can enjoy 196 outdoor concerts and movies at 17 locations across the county. This year’s lineup continues a long tradition of outdoor concerts that have brought communities together for enjoyable, memorable evenings filled with entertainment and fun for the whole family. "Last summer, more than 37,000 people attended 189 concerts across the county. They let music lift their spirits, raise their hopes, awaken their memories, forge friendship between cultures and kindle a sense of belonging," said Sousan Frankeberger, Performing Arts Production Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority. This summer’s schedule includes a diverse lineup of performances from classical to bluegrass and everything in between, as well as children’s performances, music and dance from around the world and drive-in movies. The Summer Entertainment Series performances are provided in partnership with the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Foundation, and the tremendous support of individuals, businesses, corporations and volunteers who contribute to the success of these entertainment series: Arts in the Parks children’s entertainment series (6 locations) Burke Lake Park Amphitheater E.C. Lawrence Park Amphitheater Mason District Park Amphitheater Frying Pan Farm Park Visitor Center Wakefield Park Sully Historic Site Braddock Nights (Fairfax, Springfield) Evenings on the Ellipse (Fairfax County Government Center) Franconia District Nights (Franconia) Hunter Mill Melodies (Herndon) Mount Vernon Nights (Alexandria, Lorton) Music at Arrowbrook Centre Park (Herndon) Providence Presents (Vienna, Merrifield) Spotlight by Starlight (Annandale) Springfield Nights (Fairfax Station) Starlight Cinema Drive-in Movies (Sully) Explore these series and the upcoming performances by visiting the Summer Entertainment Series website. We look forward to seeing you this summer and encourage you to invite friends and family to attend. Performances and movies are held outdoors and may be canceled in the event of inclement weather. Please call 703-324-SHOW (7469) before leaving home for inclement weather updates. The Summer Entertainment Series is sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation. The Fairfax County Park Foundation, a 501(c)(3), supports the Fairfax County Park Authority by raising private funds, obtaining grants, and creating partnerships that supplement tax dollars to meet our community’s needs for park land, facilities, and services. Visit the Fairfax County Park Foundation website for more information or call 703-324-8582.

Expand Your SNAP Benefits at Park Authority Farmers Markets

Fairfax County residents receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits can now double their benefit – up to an additional $40 – to purchase fruits and vegetables at five Fairfax County Park Authority Farmers Markets. SNAP benefit matching is provided through funding received from Viginia Fresh Match and community partners Arcadia, Britepaths and Cornerstones. Bring your EBT cards to the SNAP Information Table at participating markets and receive double the amount (up to $40) to purchase extra fruits and vegetables. For example, if you take out $50 off your card, you will receive $50 in SNAP tokens and $40 in Match tokens to spend in the market. SNAP tokens can be spent on any SNAP-eligible item, while Match tokens can only be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. The following markets are participating in the program: McCutcheon/Mount Vernon Farmers Market Wednesdays, 8 a.m. to noon (April 17 to Dec. 18) 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane, Alexandria Wakefield Farmers Market Wednesdays, 2 to 6 p.m. (May 1 to Oct. 30) 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale Annandale Farmers Market Thursdays, 8 a.m. to noon (May 2 to Nov. 14) 6621 Columbia Pike, Annandale Reston Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon (April 27 to Dec. 7) 1609-A Washington Plaza, Reston Lorton Farmers Market Sundays, 9 a.m. to noon (May 5 to Nov. 10) 8990 Lorton Station Blvd., Lorton SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move toward self-sufficiency. For information or to apply, go to the Common Help website or call 855-635-4370. For more information about the Park Authority’s Farmers Markets and the SNAP Match program, please go to the Farmers Market website.

Mason District Park Tennis Court Reconstruction To Begin in June

The Fairfax County Park Authority will be making improvements to the existing tennis courts at Mason District Park. Contractors will mobilize on site in early June, with work expected to begin on Wednesday, June 12. The project will include the replacement of old asphalt surfacing, fencing, gates, net posts and footers. New sealcoat, color coat and playing lines will also be applied to the courts. Mason District Park will remain open during the tennis court revitalization. However, construction activities may temporarily impact some areas of the park. Weather pending, the Park Authority anticipates that the reconstruction work will conclude in fall 2024. Mason District Park is located at 6621 Columbia Pike, Annadale. For more information, please contact project manager Kelly Davis at kelly.davis@fairfaxcounty.gov. In a separate effort, the Park Authority has begun the process of identifying an optimal location within the park to add two dedicated pickleball courts. Additional information about this project and opportunities for community engagement will be forthcoming once the proposal is completed. Questions regarding these pickleball courts may be directed to the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Camps and Spring Class Listings Available

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Adapted Recreation programs ensure fun for everyone.

Buddy up for learning and fun in Park Authority swim classes.

Fun, friends and adventures await in Park Authority camps!

Little ones learn best through play in programs tailored to their interests.

From the classics to modern moves, Park Authority dance classes are always in style.

From equestrian lessons to old-fashioned fun, there's something for everyone at Frying Pan Farm Park.

Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or have limited mobility, there's a fitness option for you in Park Authority exercise classes.

Spark your creativity in Park Authority fine arts and crafts classes.

Cultivate your love of nature with Park Authority gardening classes.

Enjoy comprehensive classes and practice facilities year-round at Park Authority golf courses.

Yesterday’s innovation is still full of fascination at Park Authority historic sites.

Learn to glide, swizzle and stop like a pro in ice skating classes.

Learn self-defense and build confidence in Park Authority martial arts classes.

Explore the great outdoors in Park Authority nature classes.

Whether you take a hike, cast a line or guide a boat, nature's perspective always changes in outdoor recreation classes.

Retire your air guitar and learn to make some real music in performing arts classes.

Your canine companion can bone up on everything from agility to obedience in Park Authority classes.

Explore new places and ideas in Park Authority merit badge programs.

Team up for fun and learn a new sport.

Budding engineers and computer programmers have fun learning in Park Authority technology classes.

Learn strategic games, investigate your family history, brush up on social graces and more!

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