News

Following feedback from both the tennis and pickleball communities, the Fairfax County Park Authority has decided not to move forward with plans for new dedicated pickleball courts at the Franconia Rec Center.

Andrew Grabel, a spokesperson for the park authority, tells FFXnow it’s striving to meet the needs of all community members by creating more dedicated pickleball and tennis courts and fewer dual-use courts throughout the county.


News

The Fairfax County Park Authority is looking for the community’s feedback again on a proposal for developing Salona Park in McLean.

The new concept, which will be presented at a community meeting at 7:30 p.m. tonight (Monday), centers on a half-mile-long walking trail that would loop around the approximately 10-acre site, which currently consists of undeveloped meadows and woods.


Countywide

County supervisors voted yesterday (Tuesday) to withhold some funding for a planned Fairfax County Park Authority initiative, saying it should be considered as part of the fiscal year 2027 budget process next spring.

County Executive Bryan Hill had recommended giving $1.8 million to the project as part of the county government’s fiscal year 2025 budget carryover process, where excess funds are redistributed in the next year’s budget.


News

A much-needed makeover is in the works for the playground behind Reston’s Home Depot.

Construction is scheduled to start in October on a renovation of the Reston North Park playground, requiring a temporary closure of the site at 11760 Stevenage Road, the Fairfax County Park Authority announced last Thursday (Sept. 25).


Around Town

Thanks to a public-private partnership, a new fixture for kids will be unveiled at Merrifield’s Mosaic District later this month.

The Strawberry Park Playground will offer “an array of play features” for the shopping center’s youngest patrons when it officially opens at 5 p.m. on Sept. 26, the Fairfax County Park Authority and property owner and operator EDENS announced today (Thursday).


Around Town

The Water Mine in Reston is closing out the summer this Saturday (Sept. 6) with the return of its annual “Dog Daze” event.

The Gold Rush-themed water park, which is located in Lake Fairfax Park at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, will become a pooches-only zone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. after concluding its human operations for the season on Monday (Sept. 1).


News

Portions of the Franconia Rec Center will close later this month through mid-September so that the Fairfax County Park Authority can upgrade air-quality systems in the facility.

The work will include two full-building closures, slated for Wednesdays, Aug. 20 and Sept. 3. Backup days are scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 21 and Sept. 4.


Around Town

Carnival rides, farm animals, live entertainment and more will mingle at Frying Pan Farm Park this week for the 75th annual Fairfax County Carnival and Fair.

Organized by Fairfax County 4-H and the Fairfax County Park Authority, the festivities at 2709 West Ox Road in the Herndon area will kick off this Thursday (July 31), with the carnival rides and games operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.


Countywide

The Fairfax County Park Authority has created a new “self-guided adventure” for those looking to take an expedition through nature not far from home.

The park authority’s 2025 Discovery Trail Map celebrates 75 years of parks and recreation with a challenge to visit eight park locations before Labor Day.


Countywide

Fairfax County supervisors were all singing from the same songbook yesterday (Tuesday), unanimously declaring the county to be the “Music Capital of Virginia.”

Others across the commonwealth might disagree, but Fairfax leaders said the sheer breadth of musical performances throughout the year, but particularly in summer, made the county deserving of the title.


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