|
Need a Play All Day plan throughout summer 2026?
Discover Fairfax with the 250th Discovery Map and explore Fairfax County parks, historic sites, nature centers, and recreation facilities while learning about the people and places that helped shape our community.
- Pick up a Discovery Map at participating Park Authority locations or download it online.
- Explore featured locations across the county
- Answer questions at 8 stops
- Win prizes and discover something new!
Learn more about FCPA's 250th Discovery Map adventure!
Donate today to help FCPF support Camps, Classes, Adapted and Outreach Programs and Events like this.
| | Summer Entertainment Series is underway! | | |
FCPA's Summer Entertainment Series performances are held outdoors in every supervisory district throughout Fairfax County. So, pack your picnic baskets, umbrellas, blankets, and lawn chairs to enjoy evenings of music in the parks!
Call the HOTLINE at 703-324-SHOW (7469) one hour before the start of the show for rain cancellations. Check back for complete schedule of all performances can be found on the FCPA's Summer Entertainment Series website.
Join all Summer Entertainment Sponsors sponsors whose voluntary donations ensure that these popular concerts, movies, and children's shows remain free for all to enjoy! (Applause goes out to The School of Rock for becoming our most recent sponsor!)
Funds are being accepted by FCPF to support FCPA's Summer Entertainment Series - Donate Today!
| | |
Stellar Star and Rising Star Level Sponsors
Friends and Family of Bob Lydick
| | Woodlands Stewardship Education Center Features | | |
Thomas and Elizabeth Chennikara are pictured at the ceremonial ribbon-cutting celebration for the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Chantilly, VA.
They directed generous grants from their Donor Advised Fund to the Fairfax County Park Foundation to sponsor an antique Mill Stone and FCPA's first Solar-Charging Picnic Table.
This innovative solar-powered picnic table provides clean, renewable energy for visitors while supporting sustainable park operations. It is designed to operate completely off the electrical grid and stores solar energy for future use.
Thomas and Elizabeth recently joined FCPF Executive Director, Bobbi Longworth; ECLP Park Manager, Kylie Lee; and FCPA Naturalists, Alex Marstall and David Fennel, to commemorate these additional features that reflect a shared commitment to conservation, innovation and providing meaningful outdoor experiences to all!
| | | Learn how you can join Thomas, Elizabeth and other thoughtful donors who make a lasting difference by enriching Fairfax County's 424 Parks through Donor Advised Fund grants to the Park Foundation! | | Meet FCPF's new Board Directors! | | |
"On behalf of the Fairfax County Park Foundation Board of Directors and Staff, I am pleased to welcome Ellen Gray, Radhika Subramanian, and Jonathan Wertz to the FCPF board! Their expertise and commitment as volunteer board directors will help FCPF continue to attract support for Fairfax County park improvements, outreach programs, and community events."
-Laura Eakin Erlacher, FCPF Board of Directors Chair
| | |
Ellen Gray is president of Unlimited Horizons Business Services, Inc., a Fairfax County small business since 1992, focusing on developing compassionate leaders/managers through leadership coaching.
Ellen earned a B.S. in Business Management from Grantham University. Credentials include International Coaching Federation – Certified (ACC); Certified Gallup Clifton Strengths Coach; Certified Positive Intelligence Coach; Listening Intelligence Coach; and DISC, EQi 2.0, MBTI certified.
Ellen and her husband raised their two children in the North Springfield community and walks her beloved dog in Lake Accotink Park– just about every day!
| | |
Radhika Subramanian is the Deputy Director of the High Performance Computing and Communications (HPCC) Program at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she oversees the computing infrastructure that powers the nation's weather forecasting, climate modeling, and environmental research missions.
Radhika holds an MBA from Virginia Tech, a B.S. in Economics from the University of Virginia, and an International Finance certificate from Oxford University.
Radhika is an active volunteer in her community and lives in Herndon, Virginia with her husband and two children.
| | |
Jonathan Wertz is a senior leader with over 20 years of experience in national security, foreign policy, and global operations. A retired U.S. Army officer, he served as an intelligence officer and Foreign Area Office.
Jonathan holds a Master of Arts in Security Studies from Georgetown University, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point.
A longtime Northern Virginia resident, Jonathan lives with his wife and two children.
An avid runner and outdoors enthusiast, he enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring Fairfax County parks with family and friends.
| | Your Gift to FCPF helps parks! | | |
Your gift for Fairfax County Park Foundation Essential Operations is critical – it will help sustain the salaries and administrative functions of the Foundation’s lean leadership team to provide the stewardship and structure for donations that directly benefit our 422 parks, spanning 23,800 acres, welcoming more than 16 million visitors each year.
Please join FCPF supporters Ben Aiken, and Wayne & Angela Valis (pictured above) to donate whatever you can.
Every gift makes a difference now and for the future of our parks. Donors giving $250 or more will be recognized below as an FCPF Essential Benefactor. You can also spread your generosity throughout the year as a Sustaining Donor by setting up your automatic monthly gifts on our website, with your bank.
Your expression of support with your monetary gifts is greatly appreciated!
THANK YOU for helping to sustain the Fairfax County Park Foundation’s mission for over a quarter of a century by supporting the county parks and programs you love!
Donate today to FCPF to help keep Fairfax County parks thriving!
| | 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 or other motorized vehicle!
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 highlights Farmers Markets bringing farm-fresh produce, baked goods and specialty foods to communities across the Fairfax County. SNAP benefits are accepted at select markets! See dates, locations, vendors, and more information on the FCPA Farmers Markets webpage.
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.
| | | | |
