Tag: parks
Park facilities are reopening
The carousel at Lake Accotink The Fairfax County Park Authority is reopening certain amusements, including the carousel, boating marina, and mini-golf at Lake Accotink Park. Facilities at other parks are reopening, too, such as the mini-train at Burke Lake Park, batting cages, and wagon rides.
Explore a park: Toll House Park is the focal point of Annandale
Toll House Park as seen from Little River Turnpike. This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in this series explored Bren Mar Park. Toll House Park is a tiny “pocket park” at the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Annandale Road. Some county documents … Continued
When Justice Park was created, Black families were displaced
By Marie Reinsdorf As previously reported in the Annandale Blog, Fairfax County Public Schools and the Park Authority have plans to pave over a portion of Justice Park to build a satellite parking lot for Justice High School. FCPS would construct the parking lot, demolish the basketball/multi-use court to make room for the parking lot … Continued
Explore a Park: Bren Mar Park is a woodsy oasis in an urban area
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in this series explored Mason District Park. The 32.4-acre Bren Mar Park is off Edsall Road west of Interstate 395 in a densely populated area of Mason District. Features: There is a playground, trails, picnic shelter, baseball field … Continued
Community members air concerns about plans to use Justice Park as a parking lot for Justice HS
Justice High School PE students use the basketball court at Justice Park. Fairfax County Public School and Park Authority officials have yet to explain to residents the process involved in their plans to pave a section of Justice Park to create a parking lot for Justice High School in Seven Corners. Community members expressed their … Continued
Fairfax County hiring summer camp counselors
Rec-Pac summer camps are based at schools. [FCPA] Summer jobs are available with Rec-PAC, the six-week summer camp program run by the Fairfax County Park Authority. There are more than 200 positions available. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must have or be willing to obtain CPR and first aid certifications.
Fairfax County seeks public feedback on dog parks
Fun times at the Mason District Dog Park. The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking public comment on the draft report of its Dog Park Study. The study, initiated in 2019, recommends strategies for long-term planning, development, and management of dog parks.
Trail-riding group gets grant to restore Wakefield Park trails
The trail at Wakefield Park The Fairfax County Park Authority Board has approved a $16,200 Mastenbrook grant to Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) to help fund a trail restoration project at Wakefield Park in Annandale. MORE plans to restore and rehabilitate numerous sections of trail in the northern end of the park that have deteriorated over … Continued
Hidden Oaks Nature Center has a connection to an African chief
Alex and Lassine Doumbia By Suzanne Holland Annandale residents Alex Doumbia, a naturalist at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale and a member of the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Work Force Council, and his father, Lassine Doumbia, share a common passion for education, nature, and parks. Lassine has volunteered to lead the Spotlight by Starlight … Continued
Explore a park: Mason District Park has something for everyone
The pond at Mason District Park. This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The last piece in this series explored Roundtree Park. At 60 acres, Mason District Park is the largest park in Mason District. It’s a great place for a nature walk, team sports, outdoor concert, and … Continued
Opinion: Park Authority funding priorities address community needs
The following opinion piece, by William G. Bouie, chairman of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, was submitted in response to Jan. 19 article by Marie Reinsdorf raising concerns about the board’s decision-making focus on revenue generation. We live in an age when relying on solid facts is more critical than ever. Just part of the … Continued
Plan to turn park space into parking lot angers residents
Local residents and environmental advocates are concerned about a plan to create a parking lot inside Justice Park as part of the upcoming expansion of Justice High School in Seven Corners. The park is on Peace Valley Lane across the street from the school. Under a plan under discussion by Fairfax County Public Schools and … Continued
Summer camp registration open for Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks. [Keith Pham] Registration is now open for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. Capacity is limited to 12 children per session. All camps are held outdoors. There are lots of options. Register here.
Explore a Park: Roundtree Park has been recently upgraded
The newly remodeled picnic shelter at Roundtree Park. [Keith Pham] This article is part of the Annandale Blog’s Explore a Park series. Previous parks in the series include Manassas Gap Park, Luria Park, and Fitzhugh Park in Annandale and Lillian Carey Park and Hogge Park in Bailey’s Crossroads. Features – Roundtree Park is on Annandale … Continued
Opinion: How the Park Authority’s increasing focus on parks-as-a-business is bad for us
The pool at the Oak Marr RECenter has a beach area and hot tub. By Marie Reinsdorf A friend returned from a swim at Oak Marr RECenter recently and proclaimed: “It’s big, beautiful! Compare it to Providence. Where Audrey Moore is the Chevy, Oak Marr is the Cadillac.” Well, I told her, that is by … Continued