Bald Eagle Release at Burke Lake Park
On January 12, 2020, more than 500 hundred people watched as
Dr. Belinda Burwell, D.V.M., of Wildlife Veterinary Care
released a rehabilitated eagle at Burke Lake Park.

Visit the links to read the press release as well as see more photos from the event.
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day
at the Sully Historic Site

This year, 2020, marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day, so come out to celebrate at the Sully Historic Site! We will have a fun day packed with entertainment, activities, food vendors, Touch-A-Truck, prizes, and more! Learn more about how we can all support our event theme of “Healthy People – Healthy Planet” and all that Fairfax County is doing to support environmental sustainability.

 Look for details of the 2020 Earth Day Fairfax Festival, featuring WUSA9's Chief Meteorologist Topper Shutt , in our March e-Newsletter.

Sully Historic Site (3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, VA)
Saturday, April 25, 2020
10 am - 4 pm

2020 Parks Poetry Contest

Students in grades K-8 are invited to enter the 2020 Fairfax Parks Poetry Contest in honor of National Poetry Month in April. This year’s theme 'My Parks, My Planet' celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day. Students are encouraged to share how local parks inspire them to take care of the planet. Contest opens February 13, 2020.

Poetry contest participants compete for $50 gift cards and a chance to read their poems at the 2020 Earth Day Fairfax Festival on April 25, 2020 at the Sully Historic Site from 10 am - 4 pm. Contest Rules and Entry Information .
Friends host Earth Day Festival at ECLP
In October 2019, the
Ellanor C. Lawrence Park (ECLP) Friends organized to work with thoughtful intention to support park initiatives and activities that help protect and preserve their park and our planet.

The group is hosting their first Earth Day Festival on April 18 at E.C. Lawrence Park from 2 pm - 6 pm.

Come and enjoy chocolate, local artists, craftspeople, food trucks, guided nature walks, door prizes, a scavenger hunt, and a cold one from ONO Brewing Company in Chantilly.
IRA Distribution Gifts
February is a good time to talk with your financial advisor about the benefits of making donations to the Park Foundation from your Individual Retirement Account and other assets.

Transferring appreciated funds to the Park Foundation can minimize the donor's taxable income, count towards the required minimum withdrawals and allow the donor to specify which park program should benefit from transfer.

Making the charitable gift from your IRA is simple. Just follow these three easy steps:
  • Contact your financial planner who will prepare a form letter.
  • Send original letter to your IRA custodian.
  • Send a copy of the letter to notify the Fairfax County Park Foundation, which will recognize your gift made for any park or approved project.

Please d iscuss naming the Fairfax County Park Foundation as a beneficiary of a retirement account as well as other giving methods with your attorney, accountant or other financial advisor.

For more information or to inform us of your decision to include the Fairfax County Park Foundation of an IRA Gift or inclusion in your estate plans, please contact, Roberta A. Longworth, Executive Director, FCPF at (703) 324-8581.
This information is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult with your attorney or financial advisor.
$35,000 Awarded to Fairfax County
Fairfax County is one of 8 locations to be selected for the Move Your Way national physical activity initiative pilot in 2020, Funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Move Your Way Program will feature nine different walks in the county -- each championed by the District Supervisor. The location and route will target communities with the greatest chronic health conditions and limited physical activity access.

Partners for the program include the Health Department, Neighborhood and Community Services, Partnership for a Healthier Fairfax, the County Supervisors, and community and faith organizations.
We accept vehicles too!
Donate your car to FCPF -- it's EASY!
Thank you to the 133 generous park lovers (including 10 FCPA employees) for donating your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, motor-home or other vehicle to the Park Foundation!

Since 2009, nearly $60,000 has been raised to help support Fairfax County parks as a result of your generosity!

Donating is fast and easy and vehicle pick-up is free through our partner CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services) . The vehicles and car titles are picked up at their residence and supporting documents are sent after the vehicles are sold at auction.
Jae Kilbourne (left), a Target employee and frequent Hidden Oaks Nature Center visitor, donated a $250 gift card to Hidden Oaks. 

Manager Michael McDonnell (right) gladly accepted the donation that will be used to purchase materials to improve trails. Jae received the gift card as a “thank you” from Target and The Park Foundation received the donation on Hidden Oaks’ behalf. 

Thank you, Jae for your generosity!
The Fairfax County Park Authority will host more than 2,000 day camps at more than 100 locations this summer.

The place to get more information and see your options is the Camp Fair.

Saturday, March 7th
Audrey Moore RECenter
11 am - 2 pm

You’ll find a camp planner, and sign-up at information and the 2020 Camp Guide online.
Healthy Strides 5k/10k
Register for the Healthy Strides 5k/10k at Burke Lake Park.

A portion of the net proceeds from the Healthy Strides 5k/10k will help fund summer camp opportunities for children living in homeless shelters and transitional housing in Fairfax County. 

MLK Day of Service
Friends of Lake Accotink Park (FLAP) held a volunteer clean-up on Monday, January 20, 2020, at Lake Accotink Park Marina. Over 30 motivated volunteers, bundled up and braved the cold to help Lake Accotink Park.

Friends of Lake Accotink Park board members Jim Hickey and Dave Gibson met the volunteers, provided trash bags and lead the group to a successful day of giving back and making a difference. The group picked up and filled dozens of trash bags. FLAP holds monthly volunteer clean-ups at several Lake Accotink Park locations.

For information on volunteer opportunities visit  Volunteer in the Parks.