April 2022 eNewsletter

Honor Earth Day EVERY day! Started in 1970, Earth Day is an annual event intended to generate awareness and support for environmental protection.

New Earth Day Website Encourages

Environmental Stewardship

Learn about Earth Day history, links to Earth Day programs, and Park Authority or Fairfax County resources that can help visitors of all ages learn how they can be responsible stewards of our natural environment. Resources available through the site include volunteer opportunities for all ages, a field guide and journal, nature scavenger hunts and bingo, educational information, and other opportunities for all ages.

Check out the Park Authority's Earth Day website.

Horticultural Help Desk

Just in time for the 2022 spring planting season, the Green Spring Master Gardeners Help Desk is back!

Don't be shy to ask. Get all of your gardening questions answered every Saturday morning outside of the Green Spring Gardens Horticulture Center from 9:30 AM -to 12:30 PM.

Photo credit: Gioia Forman

Parks run on Volunteer Power!

Howard Albers is the Park Foundation's long-time Research & Communications volunteer.

In addition to drafting each monthly eNewsletter, his experience as a retired auditor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a valuable resource that supplements FCPF's lean staff of three.

Howard is an avid bicyclist who took on the Herculean job of capturing the GPS locations, and multiple photos of more than 300 commemorative benches and plaques throughout the expansive FCPA park system!

Thank you, Park Volunteers!

Since April is National Volunteer Month, we are pleased to sincerely thank Howard Albers for the excellent work done year-round!

Learn how you can get involved by joining a FCPA Friends Group or Park Volunteer Team, or coordinating a Scout Service project!

Numerous volunteer opportunities abound in your Fairfax County parks!

Chennikaras Share Time, Talent & Treasure

Thomas and Elizabeth Chennikara are among the thousands of Fairfax County residents who reside near one of 420 Fairfax County Park Authority parks.

Their love of Burke Lake Park led to generous giving through their Donor Advised Fund to FCPF for the new picnic celebration shelters.

His love of parks also led to Thomas joining the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors as a valued volunteer.

Read their full interesting donor/volunteer profile online!

Enjoy Art & Architecture at Historic Huntley

All ages are welcome to visit FCPA's Historic Huntley for a celebration of art and architecture in conjunction with the AIA Northern Virginia chapter’s Architecture Month.

Beginning at 1 PM on Saturday, April 30, come watch artists at work creating paintings on site “en plein air”. The tour of Historic Huntley and reception for the artists is free and do not require registration.

See AIA Northern Virginia (aianova.org) for more information.

Picnic with Friends at ECLP

Lettuce eat fresh strawberries, tomatoes & more!

The FCPA Farmers Markets will reopen between April 16 and May 6. Visit Visit

Farmers Markets 2022 Calendar Announced | Park Authority (fairfaxcounty.gov) for a complete list of market times and locations.

If you have any questions, please contact Marketing & Outreach Coordinator Molly Cullen at Molly.Cullen@fairfaxcounty.gov.

2022 Bike to Work Day

Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 20, 2022.

There will be nearly 100 pit stops throughout DC, MD, and VA where the first 15,000 bicyclists who attend a pit stop by bike will receive a T-shirt! Some pit stops will have free food and giveaways. The Park Authority is hosting Pit Stops at Audrey Moore, Oak Marr, South Run and Mt. Vernon Recreation Centers.

Click Register – BTWD (biketoworkmetrodc.org) for your free registration.

Working from home? No problem! Bike to your local "pit stop" for your free T-shirt and back home again.

Aerial Moment of Beauty

Autumn at Burke Lake Virginia Drone View. (DJI Mavic Mini 2) - YouTube

Take 1.29 minutes and enjoy the lake and train from the sky.

Visit Model Aircrafts and Drones | Park Authority (fairfaxcounty.gov) for more information about drone activities in county parks.

Upcoming Events

April 30 Watch artists painting “en plein air” at Historic Huntley
May 7 Love Your Mother Picnic at Ellanor C Lawrence Park
May 20 Bike to Work Day
Monday - Thursday, June 6-9 2022 U.S. Disabled Open Golf Championship at Laurel Hill Golf Club
Friday-Saturday, October 7-8 Combo Classic Golf Tournament at Twin Lakes Golf Course

See MANY more great Spring & Summer FCPA Programs and Events online!

Go Green with E-Parktakes!

DONATE NOW

Support YOUR Fairfax County Parks!

Every gift helps and is greatly appreciated.

There are many ways to help parks, including:

Combined Federal & Commonwealth of Virginia Campaigns

United Way Give a Car Donor Advised Funds

Wills and Other Gift Planning

Give Stocks Bonds & Mutual Funds IRA Distribution Gifts

Employer Matching Monthly Giving and Payroll Deduction

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