Tag: parks
Park Authority proposes fee hikes
The Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing fee hikes for the use of certain park and rec center facilities. The public is invited to a virtual meeting, Jan. 18, 7 p.m., on the fee increases. To sign up to speak, call the Park Authority’s Public Information Office, 703-246-5092. Public comments can be submitted via email … Continued
Park Authority contest seeks trail photos
The First Day Hike Photo Contest encourages residents to get outside and explore Fairfax County parks during the New Year’s weekend, Saturday, Dec. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. The contest is sponsored by the Park Authority and the Fairfax County Park Foundation. To participate, visit any Fairfax County Park Authority trail, take a photo … Continued
Newly upgraded skate park reopens
The newly renovated Wakefield Skate Park is already drawing a crowd of skateboarders and BMX bikers, although a grand opening won’t be held until sometime this spring. Located next to the Audrey Moore Rec Center in Annandale, the skate park is open from dawn to 10 p.m. Admission is free. The Wakefield Skate Park was … Continued
School board claims ownership of land in Justice Park
Neighbors of Justice High School are concerned about the motives behind the Fairfax County School Board’s action to claim ownership of a 25-foot-wide stretch of land along Peace Valley Lane across from the school Nearly all the land is within Justice Park. According to a resolution approved by the board, it’s the school board’s intent … Continued
Explore a Park: Annandale Community Park
This article is part of our Explore a Park series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. The 52-acre Annandale Community Park at 4030 Hummer Road, Annandale, includes the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. the Fred M. Packard Center, and a park maintenance facility. Features: Two softball fields, tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground, trails, … Continued
Park Authority developing a park access and equity strategy
The Fairfax County Park Authority invites the public to learn more about the draft Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Access Strategy. The plan will provide a framework for improved and equitable access to parks and a balance of recreational issues. The Park Authority will hold three community workshops, Oct. 25, Nov. 1, and Nov. 16. … Continued
Resident curator program for the White Gardens is on hold
The resident curator application for the White Gardens is on hold, but cannot be considered dead, according to Park Authority officials. The White Gardens are located in the Falls Church area of Mason District. The Fairfax County Park Authority is seeking a “resident curator” to live in Margaret and John White’s former house rent-free while … Continued
NOVA Parks takes over nature preserve
There’s a new public park in the West End of Alexandria. NOVA Parks (the Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority) has officially taken ownership of the Winkler Botanical Preserve between N. Beauregard Street and Interstate 395, the organization reports in a press release. The 44.6-acre wooded parcel has multiple streams, a lake, a waterfall, and a … Continued
Explore a Park: Ossian Hall Park
This article is part of our series on parks in the Annandale/Mason District area. See other stories in the series in the Parks tab. Ossian Hall Park, located at 7900 Heritage Drive next to Annandale High School, offers sports fields for AHS athletes and the community, free outdoor concerts in the summer, and playgrounds for … Continued
Hidden Oaks gets a new gate
A major expansion and renovation project was just completed at Hidden Oaks in July, and now the nature center has something else new. Chainsaw artist Andrew Mallon created a new gate for the outdoor Nature Playce play area featuring local animals – an owl, snake, frog, dragonfly, skink, butterfly, and more. Related story: Community celebrates … Continued
Lake Accotink celebrates 60th anniversary
The Fairfax County Park Authority hosted a 60th-anniversary celebration of Lake Accotink Park Aug. 27. There were remarks by public officials, informational tables hosted by county agencies and nonprofit organizations, free activities, food trucks, and a cake. In 1960, the Park Authority leased 242 acres from the federal government to create the park. There were … Continued
Rec centers offer membership discounts
The Fairfax County Park Authority is having a sale on recreation center memberships, with savings of up to 15 percent off the annual fee. The sale is effective Sept. 1-Oct. 15. The annual membership pass provides access to indoor tracks, drop-in and virtual group fitness classes, pools, saunas, basketball courts, racquetball courts, fitness centers, drop-in … Continued
Deer hunting in parks starts Sept. 10
Deer hunting season starts in Fairfax County parks on Sept. 10 and will run through Feb. 18, 2023. The county’s deer management program allows qualified hunters to use archery to reduce the deer population in designated parks. The 2022-23 deer program allows archery in these parks in the Annandale/Mason District area: • Accotink Stream Valley … Continued
It’s Farmers Market Week
Special activities are happening at Mason District Park and Wakefield Park Aug. 10 and 11 for Farmers Market Week. On Wednesday, Aug, 10, 2-6 p.m., the Wakefield Farmers Market, will host fun and educational activities for families. Hands On Harvests will teach people how to harvest milkweed seeds. The Fairfax County Library will have a … Continued
Concerts in the parks continue this summer
The Spotlight by Starlight concert series is still going strong with many more shows coming up this summer. There are free shows at Mason District Park Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday evenings and international performances at Ossian Hall Park in Annandale on Saturday evenings. All shows start at 7:30 p.m. The Spotlight by Starlight series, one … Continued