Tag: parks
Park Authority honors volunteers
The Fairfax County Park Authority Board is honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. They were recognized by their peers for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system. The honorees include the following volunteers at Mason District/Annandale park facilities: According to the Park Authority, more than 10,770 … Continued
Work starts on Justice Park sidewalk
Construction began this week on a sidewalk at Justice Park that residents say is unnecessary and a waste of money. The $900,000 project consists of an 825-linear-foot concrete sidewalk, five feet wide, along the south side of Peace Valley Lane across the street from Justice High School. It is expected to be completed by the … Continued
Park bond includes funds for new Audrey Moore Rec Center
The ballot for the General Election on Nov. 3 will include a proposed $180 million park bond and a $75 million bond for community health and human services facilities. The Board of Supervisors on June 23 authorized the bond referendums to be presented to voters. The bond for parks and park facilities includes $89 million … Continued
Penny Gross: Summer concert cutbacks are ‘heartbreaking’
Former Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, the driving force behind the creation of the Spotlight by Starlight outdoor summer entertainment series, says it’s a “great disappointment” that the Fairfax County Park Authority has significantly cut back the number concerts this year. There will only be eight Spotlight by Starlight concerts at Mason District Park this … Continued
Viewpoint: What will become of Lake Accotink?
By Paul Gilbert One of Fairfax County’s most beloved parks is at a crossroads – and Fairfax County wants your input. Lake Accotink draws 250,000 visitors a year. Along with Burke Lake and Lake Fairfax, it is one of three lakefront parks that serve as the anchor attractions of the Park Authority system. Think of … Continued
Softball fields at Wakefield Park improved
The softball fields at Wakefield Park have been upgraded, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced on June 11. The improvements include renovated playing surfaces and amenities, upgraded LED lighting, new dugouts, new fencing, new batting cages, and new picnic tables and bleachers. Field 8 has been converted into a state-of-the-art synthetic turf surface. Wakefield Park … Continued
New resources available for invasive plant management
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched an apprenticeship program to train new Invasive Management Area site leaders, enabling the IMA program to expand to more local parks across the county. Removing invasives leads to better stormwater management, more birds and other wildlife, an improved tree canopy, and better water filtration, says Whitney Redding, one … Continued
An art installation is aimed at sparking conversation
It can be difficult to have a meaningful conversation. And how much do you really know your partner or friend? How do you even start? A new public art installation at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, at 7200 Columbia Pike in Annandale, is aimed at making it easier. The “Conversation Bench,” installed by Community … Continued
An annual ceremony commemorates a tragedy at Howrey Park
By Julia Key On Monday, the fifth annual memorial ceremony was held at Howrey Field in Annandale to commemorate the 58th anniversary of a tragic accident that claimed the lives of six soldiers. The soldiers, from the 77th Port Construction Engineer Company at Fort Belvoir, were developing what is now Howrey Field Park as a … Continued
Fewer children’s, cultural concerts scheduled this summer
The Fairfax County Park Authority on May 28 announced the schedule for the Arts in the Parks summer entertainment series, which includes Saturday morning shows for children at Wakefield Park and cultural performances at Ossian Hall Park on Saturday evenings. These concerts are in addition to the eight Spotlight by Starlight concerts already announced for … Continued
Just eight concerts scheduled this summer at Mason District Park
The Fairfax County Park Authority has announced an abbreviated performance schedule for the Spotlight by Starlight series at Mason District Park. The following concerts will be held on Fridays at 7:30 p.m. in the park’s amphitheater: A couple of years ago, the Spotlight by Starlight series featured three concerts a week at Mason District Park. … Continued
A fruitful afternoon at the Wakefield Farmers Market
We dropped by the Wakefield Farmers Market yesterday and found customers stocking up on fresh produce, new and longtime vendors, and people buying extra items for less-advantaged residents. The Nourish Your Neighbor program asks shoppers on the market’s last day of the month to drop off extra food at the market information tent. Food donated … Continued
County officials fail to address residents’ concerns with Justice Park sidewalk
Community residents’ last-ditch effort to stop the construction of an unneeded and unwanted $900,000 sidewalk at Justice Park has failed. After urging the Fairfax County Department of Transportation and the Board of Supervisors to halt the sidewalk project, without success, the residents reached out to the Fairfax County Internal Audit Office to request an audit … Continued
The Audrey Moore Rec Center to undergo a ‘transformative renovation’
The Fairfax County Park Authority is moving forward with the renovation of the Audrey Moore Rec Center. The community is invited to an informational meeting on the project on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. at the Wakefield Forest Elementary School cafeteria, 4011 Iva Lane in Fairfax. “The 76,000-square-foot facility is undergoing a transformative renovation,” … Continued
The Justice Park sidewalk will start construction in June
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is going ahead with constructing a $900,000 sidewalk at Justice Park, despite objections from the community. Residents of Ravenwood Park, Ravenwood, and Lake Barcroft argue that the sidewalk is not needed, it would damage the park ecosystem, and it’s a waste of money that could be spent on … Continued