Save the Date for Earth Day 2026! | | |
Save the Date on Saturday, April 25, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. to join FCPA, FCPF, and WUSA9 for a fun day - this year at Lake Fairfax Park packed with live entertainment, discovery activities, food vendors, nature exhibits, furry friends and more!
Learn how to care for people and our planet through all that Fairfax County is doing to support environmental sustainability.
Check the FCPA Earth Day Fairfax webpage for a schedule, entertainment lineup, list of vendors, exhibitors, and more for this year's exciting event!
FCPF thanks Earth Day Fairfax sponsors which will be recognized in the May newsletter. Each organization makes an impact on the health of people in our community and the health of our planet. Event sponsorships help this largest Earth Day celebration in Fairfax County!
See the benefits and learn how to Sponsor Fairfax County's largest Earth Day celebration!
| | Help your neighbors access parks! | | |
Contribute to fund need-based scholarships and support for individuals when you register for FCPA classes, reserve picnic shelters, or buy passes.
HELPING YOUR neighbors in need is as easy as 1, 2, 3!
1 GIVE ONLINE Donate to Camps, Classes, Adapted & Equity Outreach Programs anytime!
2 DONATE when you do business with the Fairfax County Park Authority.
- Register for FCPA Classes, Programs, Camps and Events
- Reserve Picnic and Birthday Party Shelters, or Trips & Tours
- Buy Rec Center Memberships or Aqua Passes
3 SMILE knowing you made a difference helping to provide class scholarships for neighbors who would otherwise do without!
Donate today to help FCPF support Camps, Classes, Adapted and Outreach Programs like this. This fund helps your neighbors in need enjoy enriching programs!
| | Calling all Horse Lovers! | | |
Whether you are an experienced rider or a new horse enthusiast, you don't need to travel far when horse country comes to your Fairfax County parks.
Experience demonstrations, learn from experts, enjoy local food truck fare and more at the 2026 Horse Expo on Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m..
Bring your camera and emmerse yourself in the equestrian world right here at FCPA's Frying Pan Farm Park!
| | Honoring the Best of Braddock! | | |
We’re delighted to celebrate Margaret Thaxton, Director of Development at the Fairfax County Park Foundation, on receiving the Best of Braddock Most "Can-Do" Public Employee Award.
Since Margaret joined the Park Foundation’s small fundraising team over 12 years ago, annual revenue to support Fairfax County Park Foundation has grown from $607,699 in FY 2012 to a record $5+ million in Fiscal Year 2025. Those dollars from individuals, corporations, foundations and organizations have helped make many projects and programs possible, including the upcoming 2026 U.S. Semiquincentennial 250th celebration at Sully Historic Site, the Turtle Playground, Braddock Dog Park, Wakefield Skate Park and the FCPA Summer Entertainment Series.
A Fairfax County resident for more than 40 years, Margaret brings both professional fundraising expertise and deep local roots. Her talent for connecting donors with community needs has had a lasting impact on parks and residents in the Braddock District and across Fairfax County.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Margaret!
Pictured Above at the Best of Braddock Awards Ceremony are Scott Thaxton, Meg Thaxton, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Jeff McKay; FCPF Director of Development, Margaret Thaxton; Braddock District Supervisor, Rachna Sizemore Heizer, Braddock District Supervisor; and FCPF Executive Director, Bobbi Longworth.
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"On behalf of the FCPF Board of Directors, I am pleased to extend sincere appreciation to all donors who contributed in Fiscal Year 2025, between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025. We are grateful for your philanthropy and for inspiring others by example to enrich parks. Thank you to every individual, corporation, foundation and organization for enriching the future of YOUR Fairfax County parks!"
-Laura Eakin Erlacher, Chair FCPF Board of Directors
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The following members of the 2025 FCPF Leadership Society are recognized for generous contributions of $10,000 and above:
$3,000,000 +
Estate of Marjorie J. Marque
$100,000 - $500,000
McLean Little League
$25,000 - $99,999
Friends of Riverbend Park (FORB)
GreenFare Organic Cafe
The Lazar Family
The Ruth and Hal Launders Charitable Trust
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Nancy L. Wilson in memory of Bill Vesey
$15,000 - $24,999
Anonymous Donor
Arlene Evans & Barry Dewberry
Jaesoon Kinder-Lemeshewsky
Mosaic District
Pulte Group
RZ Foundation
Wheat's Landscaping
$10,000 - $14,999
66 Express Outside the Beltway / Express Mobility Partners
Capital One Hall
CARS Charitable Adult Rides & Services
Sheila Delaney
Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
McLean Trees Foundation
Wegmans
Every gift to FCPF is appreciated and makes a positive difference!
See the complete list of donors who gave $100 or more to the Fairfax County Park Foundation in Fiscal Year 2025.
| | Give a Car, Truck, Boat or other motorized vehicle! | | |
Donate your car, truck, motorcycle, boat, motor-home or other vehicle to the Fairfax County Park Foundation.
Not only will you get rid of an unwanted vehicle without the hassle and expense of trying to sell it, you will get a tax deduction to the fullest extent of the law. Your donation will support FCPF’s essential operations which are necessary to sustain FCPF, the fundraising arm dedicated to enriching your beautiful Fairfax County parks!
Giving is fast and easy - and vehicle pick-up is free through our partner CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services). We accept cars, trucks, boats, and motor homes - even if not in operating condition.
Learn how YOU can Give a Car!
Please submit the CARS online form or give a call to CARS at 855-500-7433. It's that easy to initiate your vehicle donation today!
| | Moment of Beauty in YOUR parks! | | |
This month's Moment of Beauty was taken by at Fairfax County Park Authority's Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, VA. It features a Prunus mume ‘Peggy Clarke’ flowering by the Moon Gate. The fragrance is such a harbinger of spring - even on a snowy spring day!
We would love to publish your Moment of Beauty in a future newsletter. Please share your original photo, naming the FCPA park, your name, and any description to the FCPF email.
Use the Park Amenity Locator to find a picturesque park near you!
Park Amenity Locator | Park Authority (fairfaxcounty.gov)
| | Find Upcoming Camps, Classes, Programs and Activities! | | |
Register now for FCPA Camps and Classes and find MANY other great FCPA Programs and Events online!
Go Green with E-Parktakes!
The Fairfax County Park Foundation is pleased to host the E-edition of Parktakes magazine, an alternative to the print copy that is mailed to subscribers.
Leaving the Area? If you wish to cancel your Parktakes Subscription, log in to your account with your email address and password and update your member details. Change the Parktakes Subscription field to No to unsubscribe. If you want to cancel your account and no longer receive email notices, visit Parktakes Account Cancellation.
If you need assistance managing our subscription. please call FCPA 703-222-4664, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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