Thanks to ALL who served!
The Fairfax County Park Authority will join in the national celebration of Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11, 2020, by offering FREE ADMISSION to the RECenters to those who serve and have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Veterans and active duty military personnel and their families are invited to use the County’s RECenters at no cost on Veterans Day. That includes admission to pools, fitness rooms, gyms and racquetball courts at the County’s nine recreational facilities.

It’s our way of saying 'Thank you' for your service to our Country.

Due to COVID-19, occupancy of the pool and fitness room is limited and reservations are REQUIRED. Reservations can be made online or by calling the RECenter. Click here for more information.

Please bring your military identification to enjoy this complimentary FCPA RECenter access on Veterans Day.
Park Bond is approved!
Fairfax County Board Chairman Jeff McKay commented,

"I am happy to announce that the referendum for Fairfax County’s 2020 Park Bond, totaling $100 million dollars, was approved by voters in the November 3rd election. This outpouring of support from our residents reaffirms how valuable our park system is in Fairfax County.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that our natural spaces cannot be taken for granted. I know I join many residents in saying how grateful I have been during this time of social distancing to have a stellar and vast parks and trails system to retreat to for a sound body and mind."

The 2020 Park Bond was approved with the support of 407,459 voters (72%) (unofficial results). Read More
Tour this 1790 House from your Home

The Oak Hill House is located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale and dates back to 1790. The property is privately owned and is preserved under a historic and conservation easement with Fairfax County.

This year, readers are invited to click here to enjoy a 16 minute tour of this 230 year old house.

Special appreciation is extended to the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust for sponsoring the Oak Hill Open House tour through the Park Foundation.
(left to right) Troy’s sisters Wendy Malehorn and Angela DeMario, his parents William and Sandra Miller and his wife Susan visit Troy's tree at Greendale Golf Course.
A special living legacy for
Troy Miller
“Greendale was Troy’s second home for many years; he learned a lot there, he taught a lot there, and he earned a lot of respect there," stated Susan, Troy Miller's wife.

Troy's family and friends contributed memorial donations to the Park Foundation for this beautiful Dogwood Tree that was planted at Greendale Golf Course to honor his life.

Kevin Williams, Park Operations Branch Manager, FCPA said, "Troy’s legacy has been forever cemented in all of those he touched throughout his career at the Park Authority. I was always impressed with his subject knowledge, his passion for doing an exceptional job, and most of all, his drive and work ethic in everything he did."
 
Click here to learn more about donating a commemorative bench or tree.
Moon Gate Garden

To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Green Spring Gardens, FCPA initiated a fundraising campaign to create a Moon Gate Garden that will be a new feature near the boundary of the Edible Garden. The circular gate will feature a mix of stones to reflect elements of Green Spring’s historic landscape. The inspiration is Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Garden, pictured above.

Moon gates were originated in ancient Asian gardens. It is said that Guests who pass through them are symbolically granted an auspicious welcome and good fortune. Click here for more details about the Moon Gate Garden project.

Your generous donation of $50 or more to make this addition a reality will also the donor name add a leaf to the virtual Our Giving Tree.
Consider a gift to honor or memorialize someone special at beautiful Green Spring Gardens!
Marybelle Wins
2020 NASCOW
Thanks to everyone that sponsored a cow in the 2020 NASCOW fundraising event that was presented by the Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park.

To date, $26,533
has been raised to help feed and care for the farm animals.
Click here to watch Marybelle, the 4 year old Guernsey, compete in the 2020 NASCOW Race!
Northrop Grumman Sponsors Science Videos

Since 2001, Northrop Grumman Corporation has generously sponsored the Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s “Meaningful Watershed Education Experience” (MWEE) project for elementary and middle school students.

Northrop Grumman generously agreed to modify their Science Educational Support grant through the production of educational videos. Hidden Oaks Nature Center developed videos to directly benefit elementary-age students in Fairfax County Public Schools and students in other schools.

The videos are specific to Fairfax County and are of very short length to facilitate use during the limited time for teacher-led science instruction. With their teacher’s direct guidance, these videos will substitute field trips and other direct experiences that could have been provided even at a schoolyard.

Click the buttons below to enjoy these 3 educational videos!
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY FITNESS CLASSES
Join some of your favorite RECenter instructors for livestreamed fitness classes. FCPA is adding new times and formats to our schedule and can now stream with music!

Healthy Strides is excited to offer NEW virtual classes, starting with FITNESS! Healthy Strides Community classes are LIVE and FREE to participants thanks to generous sponsors.
 
Joining one of these scheduled classes is easy. Here's how!
A moment of beauty in YOUR parks

Over an 18-month period, Eli, a scout from Boy Scouts of America Troop 987, organized eight work sessions with 146 volunteers to help remove invasive plants at Difficult Run Stream Valley Park in Oakton. These amazing volunteers worked more than 400 hours to remove 124 huge bags of invasive plants and planted 160 native plants. (Submitted by Sara H.)

Share your favorite park photo that may appear in a future FCPF e-Newsletter!
Simply e-mail it to FCPF.