Tag: parks
Stream restoration project planned for Justice Park
A stream restoration project is in the works for the severely eroded tributary of Holmes Run in Justice Park. The project is aimed at improving water quality by reducing sediment, creating sustainable channel dimensions, and improving the stream’s connectivity to the floodplain. The design phase is scheduled to be completed by winter 2028. As the … Continued
Rocks appear on field at Roundtree Park
Why is the soccer field at Roundtree Park covered with at least a hundred rocks? Park visitors had some ideas: Maybe it’s an alien landing strip, one person jokingly suggested. Or something to do with a mystical ceremony? A nearby neighbor walking her dogs had an answer. She was at Roundtree Park on Dec. 30 … Continued
Take a hike and a photo on New Year’s Day
New Year’s Day in Fairfax County means it’s time for the Park Authority’s annual First Hike Photo Contest. To participate, visit any FCPA trail on Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, take a photo, and submit it online before Friday, Jan. 2. The photo link will be posted here by 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Prizes, sponsored by the Fairfax … Continued
FCDOT to proceed with Justice Park sidewalk despite community opposition
Despite strong opposition from nearby residents, the Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with a sidewalk project next to Justice Park along Peace Valley Lane. The sidewalk was first proposed in 2018 to provide a safer route for students walking to Justice High School, then seemingly fell off the radar. Now, residents say it’s … Continued
State withdraws $60.5 million in loans approved for Lake Accotink dredging
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has withdrawn $60.5 million in construction loans previously allocated for dredging Lake Accotink, the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services announced. “DEQ confirmed that this action does not affect Fairfax County’s ability to reapply in the future,” states a Dec. 5 email from Lake Accotink Project … Continued
Celebrate the season at the Annandale Winter Festival
Celebrate the season next Saturday at the annual Annandale Winter Festival and Tree Lighting hosted by the Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section. The family-friendly event is Dec. 6, 3:30-6 p.m., at the Eileen Garnett Civic Space, 7200 Columbia Pike. There will be live carolers, children’s crafts, a festive photo backdrop, hot drinks and snacks from … Continued
Viewpoint: Green Spring Gardens should focus on conservation
By Kathryn Cooper As a long-time resident of Mason District and dedicated volunteer at Green Spring Gardens, I urge the Fairfax County Park Authority to hire someone with conservation expertise as the new site manager at GSG. Mason District has fewer green spaces than almost any other district in the county, so GSG is a rare and … Continued
Residents oppose sidewalk at Justice Park
Residents who live near Justice Park in Seven Corners say a sidewalk planned along Peace Valley Lane is not needed and urge the county to cancel the project. The Fairfax County Department of Transportation is proceeding with the development of an 825-foot sidewalk between Mansfield Road and the cul-de-sac at the end of Peace Valley … Continued
Wakefield Park gets new pickleball courts
The Fairfax County Park Authority has completed a court reconfiguration project at Wakefield Park in Annandale that includes the addition of six new dedicated pickleball courts. One tennis court was converted into four dedicated pickleball courts, while two dual-use courts were returned to tennis-only play. With these changes, Wakefield Park now has 10 tennis courts … Continued
The Park Authority really wants pickleball out of Kendale Woods Park
It’s been over a year since the Fairfax County Park Authority temporarily closed the courts at Kendale Woods Park in Annandale over a dispute with pickleball players. The fence has been locked once again during the past few weeks. “The tennis courts at Kendale Woods Park have been experiencing ongoing vandalism involving unauthorized painting and … Continued
Join the Taste of Annandale 5K in Mason District Park
With sunny, cool weather predicted for Saturday morning, it’s going to be a perfect day for a run in the park. So, get out there and join the Taste of Annandale 5K, on Sept. 20, starting at 9:30 a.m. The 5K will be different this year – it’s going to be entirely on the trails … Continued
FACETS hosts Family Day at Annandale Community Park
FACETS, the nonprofit organization that operates the Opportunity Neighborhoods initiative for Annandale, hosted a Family Day at Annandale Community Park on Sept. 13. Kids and their parents learned about frogs and toads at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. They painted sunflowers and made greeting cards and paper hats at the Packard Center with volunteers from … Continued
Viewpoint: In defense of natural resource conservation at Green Spring Gardens
By Kathryn Cooper I and many others in the community are opposed to the planned “education pavilion” at Green Spring Gardens. The nonprofit Friends of Green Spring Gardens (FROGS) has donated $250,000 for the project. We raised the following concerns at community meetings in February and July and on the Park Authority’s website: I … Continued
A fix for Lake Accotink is years away
Three studies are underway on Lake Accotink, but it’s going to be years before any action is taken to preserve the lake at a smaller size. The Smaller Lake Accotink Preservation Study was launched in April by Arcadis under contract to the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services. A sedimentation study and … Continued
Holmes Run project will fix storm damage
The City of Alexandria is gearing up to begin construction this summer on a stream and trail restoration project on Holmes Run in the Dora Kelley Nature Park. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2026. This is the last of four major projects along Holmes Run Stream Valley to repair extensive damage … Continued