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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] IR-078 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Park Authority Wins Five 2021 NACPRO Awards Five Fairfax County Park Authority nominees have been honored by the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) with 2021 NACPRO Awards, which honor excellence in the field of parks and recreation. The NACPRO award winners are:
• Harry Glasgow in the Outstanding Contributor category
• Kirk Kincannon in the Professional - Lifetime category • William Bouie in the Outstanding Public Official category
• Colvin Run Mill Miller's House Exhibit in the Historical or Cultural Facility category
• Friends of Frying Pan Farm Park in the Outstanding Support Organization category Glasgow, who has served on the Park Authority Board and the Park Foundation Board, has devoted his retirement to protecting the natural world. He has contributed countless volunteer hours to park advocacy, scholarship funding, land acquisition and environmental education. As an active member of the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, he is also known for leading weekly bird-watching groups. In addition, the certi-fied Master Naturalist and Master Gardener has provided generous financial support for parks. Kincannon retired in February 2021 after serving as Executive Director of the Park Authority for seven years and dedicating more than 40 years to public service. Under Kincannon’s leadership, the Gold Medal Award-winning parks agency enjoyed a string of successes and national acclaim as one of the nation’s top park systems. In addition to his outstanding service to the Park Authority, Kincannon also provided criti-cal service to the County as Acting Executive Director from Sept. 16, 2017 to Jan. 3, 2018. Bouie has served as Chairman of the Park Board since 2009, and under his leadership the Park Authority achieved two Gold Medal Awards, acquired more than 10,000 acres of parkland and open space, won voter approval for four Park Bonds worth nearly half a billion dollars in capital funding, adopted its first agency-wide Strategic Plan, and embraced the One Fairfax equity initiative. His leadership also provided a path forward during the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 epidemic last year. Colvin Run’s unique new exhibit takes visitors on an interactive exploration of mill history in the 1800s. The exhibit’s two rooms feature period reproductions and period-specific antiques from the Federal and late Victorian Periods. Guests may sit, peruse books, touch items and play a game. Two projectors convey historical information on a loop that lets visitors linger with the information. When the projection is off, guests enjoy an immersive experience as if visiting during the historically significant periods. The Mil-ler’s House is presently closed due to pandemic safety precautions.
For years, Frying Pan’s Friends group has provided critical support to Frying Pan Farm Park and has raised money to care for the 100 animals it owns at the urban farm by hosting events, such as horse shows and festivals. Last year, these events were canceled due to COVID-19, but the Friends created a novel NASCOW experience that helped to bring their fundraising to record levels. Members of the public were invited to “sponsor” the park’s cows in a race. A social media video allowed fans to watch and see a win-ner declared. With health and safety in mind, the NACPRO Board has decided not to conduct an awards banquet in 2021. Instead, an awards presentation video will be shared with staff and the community. NACPRO is a nonprofit professional organization that advances official policies that promote county and regional park and recreation issues, while providing members with opportunities to network, exchange ideas and best practices, and enhance development. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or at [email protected]. .
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021
E-mail: [email protected] IR-079
Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Spring Hill Park Maintenance Work to Begin
The Fairfax County Park Authority will begin maintenance work in the next few weeks at Spring Hill
Park located at 1239 Spring Hill Road in McLean, Virginia. The Park Authority’s contractor will be mo-
bilizing on site on June 21, 2021. The maintenance work includes replacing the synthetic turf on Field #5
and incidental work related to this project.
On weekdays, work hours will be limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. If unfavorable weather conditions are en-
countered, the contractor may be permitted to work on Saturdays to avoid project delays. Weather permit-
ting, substantial completion of the turf replacement is anticipated by Labor Day, Sept. 6, 2021.
Residents and park users should expect occasional maintenance vehicle traffic in the parking lot and ac-
cess point due to the delivery of materials and equipment ingress/egress.
For project status or updates, please contact Project Manager Wendy Li at [email protected] or
703-324-8751.
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] IR-080 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Fasten Up that Life Jacket and Get Ready for National Safe Boating Week Fairfax County parks offer plenty of places for folks in boats, canoes and kayaks to take to the water; and there’s no time like National Safe Boating Week to review some tips to keep those outings safe. This year, National Safe Boating Week runs from May 22 to May 28, 2021. Get in the spirit of the week by celebrating Wear Your Life Jacket At Work Day on Friday, May 21. You may get a few odd looks, but it’s a great reminder about one of the most important safety tips on the water. Wear a life jacket – also known as a personal flotation device or PFD. The Park Authority requires all boats to have at least one Coast Guard-approved PFD and one throwable PFD for each person on board. Everyone in a rental canoe or pedal boat must wear those life jackets, and kids less than 50 pounds must wear life jackets in rental boats, too. If you’re purchasing your own life jackets, newer styles are more comfortable and lightweight than ever. You can even purchase life jackets for your pets. It’s important for everyone to have the right PFD for their size and weight. On the water, the Safe Boating Campaign recommends that you know your state boating laws and take a boating safety course. Know your boat’s capacity and be sure it is equipped with proper safety gear. Check the weather, dress properly, let someone know where you plan to be, and make sure you have a way to communicate in case of emergency. Follow navigation rules, and please don’t drink while you boat. Alcohol is a leading factor in boating-related deaths. The Park Authority has marinas at Burke Lake, Lake Accotink, Lake Fairfax and Riverbend Park – great places to kick off your Memorial Day weekend. They come with their own set of rules. Learn about Boat-ing and Marina Rules on the Park Authority website. You can also find smaller bodies of water at five Parks with Small Lakes. Like to fish on the water? Explore the Park Authority’s Fishing webpage. Visit Parktakes Online to find water-oriented programs such as Birding on the Boat, Birding by Kayak, Intro to Kayaking, and Kayak Fishing. Visit the Safe Boating Campaign website for more details on how to stay safe on the water. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662; or send an email to [email protected].
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] IR-081 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Take the Survey on a New Design for the Wakefield Skatepark The Park Authority is looking for feedback on a proposed new design for the Wakefield Skatepark in An-nandale, Virginia. Members of the community are invited to complete a short survey to help guide the renovation process. Wakefield Skatepark was originally built in 2004 with an expected lifespan of about 15 years. The wooden skatepark has been repaired several times, but due to the age and makeup of the facility, it is no longer feasible to try to extend the life of the original equipment. Planners are working on an updated de-sign that incorporates newer styles of obstacles and features typical of today’s skateparks. Another goal is to create a better flow within the skatepark. The phased renovation would include a new layout, demoli-tion of unsalvageable equipment, and installation of new equipment. The survey will be available May 12-28, 2021, and can be found on the Wakefield Skatepark project page. Park visitors can also find the survey by scanning the QR code printed on flyers at the park. For more information or to make an additional comment, write to the Park Authority at [email protected].
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] IR-082 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Save Now on Memberships at FCPA Recreation Centers There has never been a better time to get fit at a Park Authority RECenter. Take advantage of the membership sale that’s going on now through June 30, 2021. Whether you’re a new or returning member, you can save up to 15% on the purchase of a six-month membership or 12-month mem-bership. Memberships are on sale at any of the county’s nine RECenters and online at www.fairfax-county.gov/parks/passes. They may be used for all facility uses allowed under COVID-19 proto-cols, which currently include lap swimming/water walking, Cybex Selectorized strength training machines, cardio machines and limited dumbbells, indoor basketball and racquetball courts, and public ice-skating sessions. Amenities vary by location and may be limited due to pandemic-re-lated safety mandates. Safety measures are in place at all the RECenters. These measures include enhanced cleaning protocols, more sanitizing stations, and new fitness center layouts that allow for social distanc-ing. An advance reservation system is in place, and non-contact check-in systems are now stand-ard. To ensure that the RECenters are safe for everyone, please remember to:
• Stay home if you are sick or if you had contact with someone with suspected or con-firmed COVID-19 within the past 14 days.
• Wear a face covering or mask.
• Practice social distancing.
• Wipe down fitness equipment before and after use.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Follow marked footprints and other directional signs to help ensure safe distances from others.
For more information, contact 703-222-4664.
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021
E-mail: [email protected] IR-083
Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Ribbon Cutting Set for New Bicycle Skills Area in Springfield A ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for June 12, 2021, at 1 p.m. for the new Brookfield Park
Bicycle Skills Area in Springfield, Virginia.
This new installation surrounds the existing pump track and is suitable for bicyclists of all ages. It in-
cludes six professionally built, low-maintenance wood and steel features that provide new cycling chal-
lenges and opportunities. The project was led by TrailsforYouth.org (TYO) in partnership with the Fair-
fax County Park Authority (FCPA), Springfield Civic Association, Mid-Atlanta Off-Road Enthusiasts
(MORE) and local businesses.
“This is an exciting additional element that enhances the existing pump track at Brookfield. It will pro-
vide youth from our wonderfully diverse community accessible safe and fun biking opportunities for dec-
ades to come,” said Julie Childers, TrailsforYouth.Org executive director. “We are incredibly grateful and
humbled by the outpouring of support.”
The project is the culmination of more than a year of planning, coordination and fundraising with commu-
nity stakeholders. TYO secured funding through local support from the Springfield Civic Association,
MORE, TYO sponsors The Bike Lane and Advanced Auto Tech, an FCPA Mastenbrook Volunteer
Matching Fund Grant, and countless local family donations. In addition, they received national funding
support from Specialized Bicycles’ Outride Foundation and International Mountain Bike Association
Dig-In grants. This expanded bicycle skills area will provide additional biking opportunities to the youth
and families of the John Lewis High School pyramid and the local mountain bike community.
“This new feature is a welcome addition to the existing recreation opportunities available at Brookfield
Park. I am thrilled to see the success of this community-driven partnership between TrailsforYouth.Org
and FCPA,” said Rodney Lusk, Lee District Supervisor. “This project will provide years of new bicycling
opportunities for the Springfield community.”
Brookfield Park is located at 7417 Floyd Ave., Springfield, Virginia, and the new bicycle skills perimeter
area is located in the field behind the basketball court.
For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or at parkmail@fairfax-
county.gov.
.
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INFORMATION RELEASE
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] IR-084 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Park Authority Marks National Trails Day with Pedestrian Bridge Dedication The Park Authority will celebrate National Trails Day on June 5, 2021, with a ceremony to mark the opening of the new pedestrian bridge along a trail in Smokewood Park, south of Whitacre Road in the Olde Creek section of the Braddock District. A damaged steel bridge was removed earlier this year to allow for the installation of the new prefabri-cated fiberglass structure and related work. Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw said, "As we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, we do so with a renewed appreciation for the parks and trails that have sustained us throughout this difficult time. That's why I'm so excited about the new Smokewood Park Bridge and appreciative of the partnership between the community, the Park Authority and my office that made it happen.” The official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Smokewood Park Bridge will begin at 10 a.m. The $62,000 project was funded via a combination of tax dollars and proffer funding. The trail provides recreational opportunities for the community, as well as commuter connections to Olde Creek Elementary School and Woodson High School. With more than 330 miles of trails in Fairfax County parks, a walk in the woods, along a river, by a lake or through a wetland is never far away. Join in the National Trails Day celebration by finding just the right trail for you and your family. Visit the trails page on the Park Authority’s website or consult Fairfax County Trail Buddy. For more information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662 or at [email protected].
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021 E-mail: [email protected] PSA-120 Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Grow Your History Knowledge with a Pretty Flowerpot in artiFACTS Spring is a time for planting, and some of the flowerpots that were popular among county residents a cen-tury ago are still highly collectible today. In this month’s addition to the artiFACTS webpage, discover a buttery yellow piece of pottery that once graced a local home and may have provided a burst of spring-time beauty. Pottery evolved over time from a simply utilitarian use to something more ornamental. See how that his-tory played out for the McCoy pottery company of Ohio and learn how one of its products became part of
the Park Authority’s historical collections. Go to the artiFACTS website at www.fairfax-county.gov/parks/artifacts to see if you might even be the owner of one of these collectibles. Each month, artiFACTS highlights an item from the Park Authority’s vast collection of historic treasures. The collection includes more than 5,000 objects, such as quilts, chairs, baskets, machines, and clothing; thousands of archival items, such as photographs, letters, maps, and other documents; and upward of 3 million artifacts that include archaeological finds, such as spear points and pottery. From glass fragments to clothing to furniture, the items tell the story of the region’s past. For more information about the Park Authority’s Museum Collections, contact Heritage Resource Spe-cialist Megan Leining at 703-631-1429 or at [email protected].
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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
12055 Government Center Parkway For Inclusion and ADA Support,
Fairfax, VA 220035-5500 call 703-324-8563
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks TTY: Va Relay 711
@fairfaxparks
Judy Pedersen, PIO May 12, 2021
E-mail: [email protected] PSA-121
Inquiries: 703-324-8662
Be Inspired by the Colors of the Garden with a Walk at Sully
"I have begun my operations by having some sweet Briars moved from Centerville and planted in the
yard … I feel I inherit some of [my mother's] propensity to be digging in the dirt…"
-Elizabeth Collins Lee, 1800
Enjoy a walk through the garden at Sully and learn what plants the inhabitants would have had in the 19th
century. In addition to being a working farm, Sully also boasted a 2-acre kitchen garden and some orna-
mental plantings. Used for food, medicine and visual pleasure, plants were important staples of everyday
life in the early 1800s. Learn about the Colonial Revival style of today’s garden as you explore with your
guide and follow gardening at Sully back to its roots. After your walk, find a spot to inspire your inner
artist, and explore the colors of the garden as you create your masterpiece: Use watercolor, colored pencil,
or your own media brought from home to capture aspects of the garden.
Colors of the Garden is offered at Sully Historic Site on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 from 9 to 11a.m. This
is an outdoor, two-hour program designed for ages 16 and up. The cost is $10 per person. To sign up,
please visit https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site/events.
Sully Historic Site is located at 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, Virginia. For more information, call
703-437-1794; or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully-historic-site.
