It's a beautiful time to visit Green Spring Gardens and your other FCPA parks!
Honoring a Hero and a Park

Please join Colonel Wesley L. Fox, his family and members of the Young Marines, a national education and service program for boys and girls ages 8-18, and FCPA and FCPF representatives as we recognize Colonel Fox's service to our country during the Korean and Vietnam wars.    

The Young Marines sponsored a bench at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Colonel Fox's honor that will be dedicated on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at  E.C. Lawrence Park, Walney Visitor Center at 1:00 pm.  

Colonel Fox is a highly decorated veteran having been awarded the  Congressional Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star and more awards.  
   
Colonel Fox currently lives in Blacksburg, Virginia and will attend the commemorative bench dedication. 

Honoring America's Veterans
  
Honoring America's Veterans is a Fairfax County Park Authority special program to honor the service of Veterans, Active Military and their families, who live in Fairfax County.

On both Memorial Day and Veterans' Day, these individuals received complimentary RECenter admission at the Park Authority's nine RECenters as well as participatation in drop-in fitness classes, use of pools and spas, fitness rooms, gyms and racquetball courts at no cost.

This program is possible by generous contributions to the Fairfax County Park
Foundation in collaboration with the Park Authority.

On non-holiday Mondays until December 25, 2017, all active duty and veteran military personnel receive special pricing privileges for Golf at Greendale, Pinecrest, Oak Marr and Laurel Hill Golf Courses! 

Go Ape! at South Run 
 
 
Be among the first to experience the challenges being provided by Go Ape! at the South Run RECenter.  The site opened to the public on May 5, 2017.

Swing through the treetops and into adventure with Go Ape at the Fairfax County Park Authority's first woodland obstacle and zip line course. Let loose because this is going to be fun! The Go Ape adventure company opened a new course at South Run Park in Springfield. This course offers more than 99 suspended obstacles 20 to 40 feet up in the forest canopy. There are nine exhilarating zip lines and a specially designed course for kids.
  
Visit the  website for participant age requirements, admission fees an more information about this 2 - 3 hour journey through the forest canopy as you take on suspended obstacles, Tarzan swings, and breath taking zip lines. 
  
 
  2017 Discovery Trail Map
  
Just in time for Fairfax County's 275th birthday, the Park Authority's Discovery Trail Map reveals milestone moments in the history of 12 distinctive, Fairfax County parks. This year, both adults and children are encouraged to pick up a maps and chart the course to discover each park's unique feature.

Visit eight sites and get a prize pack with tickets to more summer fun such as mini golf, camping, RECenter admission and boat, train and carousel rides - a $93 value. Plus, you'll also be entered into a drawing for one of four bicycles donated by Spokes, Etc. and Trek through the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

Maps will be available by mid-May at any staffed Park Authority location, at any Fairfax County Public library, and online at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks

The promotion will run between Memorial Day and Labor Day.  

 
 
27th Annual Combo Classic Golf Tournament 
 
The Combo Classic Tournament pairs golfers with and without disabilities. Now in its 27th year, the Combo Classic continues to set a standard for competition, amenities and fun. Golfers have the opportunity to play two days of golf on both18-hole courses, the Oaks and the Lakes at Twin Lakes Gold Course in Clifton. 

Players play in a one- or two-day, two-person format during June 9 and 10, 2017.

Participants view this tournament as an opportunity to re-establish ties with old friends and make new friends that share similar disabilities. Wounded warriors welcome.  The Combo Classic Player Registration  deadline is June 1.

The Tournament is also seeking sponsors to support the worthwhile event.  Net proceeds from the tournament are used to fund enriching recreation through an adapted golf instructional program for individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities.  May 25 is the deadline for sponsorships.   

You're invited to a Barbeque Benefit

 
The Friends of Riverbend Park (FORB) is sponsoring a fund-raising benefit for Riverbend Park at the Visitors' Center on Saturday, June 3 from 6:00-9:00 p.m.  Bring your family and relax by the Potomac River while supporting a favorite Fairfax County park.  Enjoy a drink on the deck followed by a scrumptious barbeque dinner catered by Mookies of Great Falls!

 
Register today and explore the exhibits at the Visitors' Center and learn about camps and programs offered during the summer.  Boar rides on the Potomac River and s'mores by the campfire will also be available to enjoy.

 
"Thank you for your support of Riverbend Park.  I hope to meet you at the Riverbend Park Barbeque Benefit!" - Hugh Morrow, President, FORB  

 
National Volunteer Week
 
The Park Foundation expresses sincere appreciation for the numerous  volunteer efforts that benefit Fairfax County Parks throughout National Volunteer Week, April 23 through 29.

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Mahatma Gandhi

"What is the essence of life?  To serve others and to do good." - Aristotle
 
Fairfax County Park Authority held an agency-wide volunteer appreciation luncheon sponsored by Cabot Creamery of Vermont at Lake Fairfax Park on April 28. Over 100 volunteers attended and enjoyed a free lunch of gourmet grilled cheese, mixed green salad and cookies. Our sincere thanks go out to Cabot Creamery for providing a free lunch to FCPA volunteers for the second year in a row!  

Take a moment and review the many current Park Authority volunteer opportunities  within the Fairfax County Park Authority offers many opportunities to help others in need.  Group opportunities are also included in the web listing.  Call the Park Services Division at 703-324-8680 or the
Resource  the 
source Management Division at 703-324-8750 for details.

On April 1 many volunteers responded to clean the streams valleys of Fairfax Parks.  Efforts of the Friends of the Long Branch Stream Valley
were rewarded with complimentary  CAVA dips with chips and fresh veggies.
With so many energetic volunteers, it is easy for the Park Foundation to find good use for thoughtful in-kind donations. 

Employees from Allstate Insurance selected a clean-up the Frog Branch
Stream Valley in Chantilly as their volunteer project. If you have not yet visited Frog Branch you may want to watch and listen to this video.   In an effort to support the employee efforts Allstate made a generous $500 donation to the park foundation. Hopefully this will be a long-term, continuing, relationship.
   
Consider asking your employer if they will match your contribution to the Fairfax County Park Foundation or make a contribution in support of your volunteer hours.  Please call Margaret Thaxton at (703) 324-8532 if you or your human resources office have any questions about matching or volunteer time contributions.  

Volunteer Fairfax awards many serving FCPA's Huntley
 

On April 21, 2017, Volunteer Fairfax hosted its annual breakfast and awards program to recognize the many volunteers in Fairfax County. The following individuals and groups helped to improve Fairfax County Parks.
 

Of special note, the Friends Groups of both Huntley Meadows Park and Historic Huntley won the Adult Volunteer Group, and Karla Jamir, from Huntley Meadows Park received the Fairfax County Individual Government Volunteer award and Shannon Dart was selected as Rising Star awardee!

Award Category
Nominee
Adult Volunteer Group
Friends Groups of Huntley
Fairfax County Individual Government Volunteer & Benchmark 250
Karla Jamir, Huntley Meadows Park
Adult Volunteer 250 Hours or more
Howard Albers, Fairfax County Park Foundation, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling and Pine Ridge Civic Association
Family Volunteer
Chamberlain Family, Fairfax County Park Authority
Rising Star
Shannon Dart, Huntley Meadows Park
Benchmark 500
Steve Lindblom, Huntley Meadows Park
Benchmark 250
Yadira Bermea, South Run RECenter, Fairfax County Park Authority
Benchmark 250
Ron Clabbers, Huntley Meadows Park
Benchmark 250
Shannon Dart, Huntley Meadows Park
Benchmark 250
Sarah Draznin, South Run RECenter, FCPA
Fairfax County Individual Government Volunteer
Pat Shaw, Cub Run RECenter, FCPA
Benchmark 250
Ken Kozloff, Junior Achievement, Fairfax Co
unty Parks Adaptive Aquatics program, World Police and Fire Games, AMVETS, Special Olympics in Fairfax, Britepaths
Benchmark 250
Jan Meyer, Invasive Management Area Program
Benchmark 250
Brooks Noble, Riverbend Park (FCPA)
 
Benchmark 250
Jennifer Pradas, Fairfax County Park Authority
Benchmark 250
Norm Qualtrough, Fairfax County Park Authority
 
National Trails Day
 
Each year, on the first Saturday of June, the American Hiking Society and the trails community invite Americans of all ages and abilities to find their own adventure and discover their unique story at one of the thousands of events hosted throughout the country.  Fairfax County Park Authority is pleased to include the dedication of the Liberty Bell Trail as part of National Trail Day.

Located in the Springfield District of Fairfax County, the trail will connect neighborhoods from Burke Lake Road to Liberty Bell Court in the Pohick Stream Valley. 

The ten-foot wide trail is 4,700 feet long and includes a 60 feet long pedestrian bridge over Pohick Stream.
Eighty percent of the $1.2 million project was funded by the Virginia Department of Transportation-Transportation Enhancement Program and the Federal Highway Administration. The new trail will help connect surrounding neighborhoods to the Burke VRE and Rolling Road VRE stations. 

Welcome Jeff and Charlie
 
"The Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park are so pleased that we have added a new draft horse team to the park for all to enjoy," said Friends Chairman Jack Pitzer (pictured in center). "They are beautiful animals that represent the authentic historical aspect of farming in the past in our county." 

The draft horses were introduced on April 22, 2017.  The purchase of Jeff and Charlie was made possible by main donor Susan Becker (pictured in center), whose generosity was noted with an award presented by Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park chairman John Pitzer. Frying Pan Farm Park is open for dawn until dusk everyday of the year. 

Celebrate Spring Farm Day at Frying Pan Farm Park on Saturday, May 13, 10:00 am-3:00 pm. This family-friendly fundraiser sponsored by the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park and the Park Foundation will help support the only working farm in Fairfax County! Join us and experience milking a cow or a goat, meeting baby animals and enjoying the many unique activities at the farm. Be sure to say hello to Jeff and Charlie also!
 
Upcoming Events

May 13
Colonel  Fox Bench Dedication at EC Lawrence Park
May 29
Memorial Day Discovery Trail Map program begins
June 3
National Trail Day Celebration at Liberty Bell Trail
June 18
Father's Day Antique Car Show at Sully Historic Site 
July 8
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Chessie's BIG Backyard Carousel at Lee District Park

Don't miss the numerous Spring fun offerings at your Fairfax County parks.  See more online!

Register for your FREE Subscription of Parktakes!
 

Fairfax County Park Foundation |  703-324-8582 | parkfoundation@fairfaxcounty.gov  |

 

www.fairfaxparkfoundation.org

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