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.

Department Resources

Related Resources

music group

As the summer heats up, so does the sizzling list of performers set to entertain across Fairfax County as part of the Summer Entertainment Series. The 2024 performers will bring all ages together to enjoy a variety of entertainment as a community. The 2024 Summer Entertainment Series features 196 free performances at 19 locations. The lineup includes concerts showcasing rock, R&B, bluegrass, pop, classical, blues, country, folk and everything in between; children’s performances showcasing fun songs, magic, comedy and more; cultural performances featuring song and dance from such locations as the Caribbean, Ireland, Africa, India, Russia and China; and four drive-in movies. Fill out your summer must-see list by exploring the Summer Entertainment Series website. Fairfax County Park Authority provides numerous ways to search the extensive lineup: You can visit the following series landing pages to see the series flyer and series list that provides descriptions of performers at each location: Arts in the Parks children’s entertainment series (7 locations) 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 (Chantilly) Use the Performance Search to filter by performer, type of performance, location and date. Explore the calendar listing to see upcoming performances by date. Read through the 2024 show schedule to see summaries of performers. Subscribe to the Summer Concert Series e-news to get weekly updates of upcoming performances. Pack those lawn chairs, grab a picnic and come out to enjoy the 2024 Summer Entertainment Series with family, friends, neighbors and community. 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 Cancellations due to inclement weather are announced one hour before showtime. 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. 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.
Monticello Woods Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority will soon install two sun shades with seating at Monticello Dog Park. These shades, funded by Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw’s office, will offer residents and their furry companions reprieve from the summer sun as they enjoy the park. Contractors will begin construction on May 28. The project includes installation of two fabric shade structures each with respective paving and benches. Weather pending, work is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. Both areas of Monticello Dog Park will be closed for the duration of the project. Monticello Dog Park is located at 5315 Guinea Road, Burke. Questions regarding this project can be directed to the Public Information Officer at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Scott's Run
Welcome back! The Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is reopening just in time for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend! The popular location situated against the bank of the Potomac River has been closed for several weeks to accommodate an emergency project to clean an obstructed county wastewater facility and make necessary repairs to maintain service. Construction fences and gates are expected to be demobilized by Friday, May 24. There is a possibility that additional work may be required later this year. Learn more about the Scott’s Run Siphon Emergency Project. Scott’s Run Nature Preserve is one of the most beautiful, alluring and remarkable parts of the Fairfax County park system. We invite all park visitors to help us take care of this unique habitat by enjoying this special place responsibly. Guests can do their part to preserve the precious habitat and ensure a wonderful experience for all visitors by practicing simple courtesy for the outdoors, plants and wildlife and by following the site rules: No coolers are allowed. No alcohol or glass bottles are permitted in Scott’s Run. Bags will be checked at parking lot trailheads. Enforcement will be stepped up at the waterfall area. No swimming, wading or boating allowed at Scott’s Run. The beauty of the falls masks its peril. This area is subject to dangerous currents, and submerged rocks can combine with those currents to make entering the water a deadly decision. Rain upstream can raise water levels very quickly. Additionally, crowds in the water threaten the many invertebrates and the remarkable and rare plant species that call the preserve home. No parking is permitted in adjacent neighborhoods or along the roadway leading to the park. Parking is limited to 50 cars in the designated parking areas. Towing may be enforced. Dogs must be on a leash while in the park. Scott's Run Nature Preserve is located at 7400 Georgetown Pike, McLean, Virginia. For more information, visit Scott's Run Nature Preserve website.
Laurel Hill Central Green
The Fairfax County Park Authority will officially open the new restroom facility at Laurel Hill’s Central Green on Saturday, June 1 at 9 a.m. The ribbon-cutting will be held in conjunction with the Park Authority’s National Trails Day event commemorating 10 years of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail. The restroom facility was installed as part of a two-phase development project at Laurel Hill’s Central Green. Phase 1 included an asphalt loop road with parking, four large picnic shelters, an accessible asphalt trail, meadow conservation areas and related site work, including utilities and stormwater management. Phase 2 included the installation of the new restroom building, an Americans With Disabilities Act compliant walkway with related utilities and a sanitary line to the pump station at the Lorton Workhouse. Total project cost for the 32-feet-by-52-feet restroom facility was approximately $2.1 million, with funding provided through the parks projects and infrastructure funds and the General County Construction Fund. Laurel Hill Central Green is located at 8780 Lorton Road in Lorton.  Questions about the new facility or National Trail’s Day event may be directed to the Park Authority’s Public Information Office at Parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov. View the National Trails Day Flyer
Franconia Park Courts
The Fairfax County Park Authority expects to begin athletic court revitalization work at the Franconia District Park on May 28. The project will include leveling and smoothing the asphalt at the basketball and shared-use pickleball and tennis courts, as well adjustments to the gates and fencing as needed. New seal coat, color coat, and playing lines will also be applied to the courts. Franconia District Park will remain open during the athletic court revitalization. However, construction activities may temporarily impact some areas of the park. Weather permitting, FCPA anticipates that the work will take approximately two weeks to complete. Franconia District Park is located at 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria. For more information, please contact project manager Marcos Suarez at marcos.suarez@fairfaxcounty.gov or contact the Public Information Office at parkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

Park News

 

Park Authority Blog: Our Stories

park authority blog

FCPA Nationally Acclaimed

FCPA Nationally Acclaimed

 

Featured Videos

Fairfax Virtual Assistant