October 2023 Newsletter

Fall fun in YOUR parks!

Scary good times are just around the corner so grab your costume and join these frightfully delightful festivities.

Make your Halloween and Fall memorable with many many scary and not-so-scary Fairfax County Park Authority activities!

Be a Vehicle for Change!

You can join Don, Lisa, and many other thoughtful park lovers who made the decision to help Fairfax County parks by donating a vehicle to the Park Foundation.

Donating 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.

See FAQs and the online donation form here. Call 855-500-7344

Future Mobile Nature Center

WONDER stands for Wild Outdoor Nature Discovery Everywhere Revealed!

The procurement of FCPA's future WONDER Wagon vehicle is nearly complete thanks to the generosity of Pohanka Automotive, the Scott A. and Phyllis P. Crabtree Family Foundation, Pediatric Associates of Alexandria, Gail Ruf, Bobbi Longworth, Shirley Lytle, Mary Petersen, Rich and Sue Harpe, Linda Carr, and many caring individuals just like you!

This special vehicle will be outfitted and colorfully wrapped before educating attendees at popular events like Earth Day Fairfax, Rec-PAC campers, and students at Title 1 Schools to expand equity throughout Fairfax County.

The Environment Fund of the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia and The Chesapeake Gateways/National Park Service grants will fund initial programming for FCPA's first Mobile Nature Center!

Every gift helps! Contributions in any amount are welcome and appreciated to help get the Wonder Wagon rolling!

Those giving $5,000 or more will be featured on signage at The Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center opening event.
Donors contributing $1,000 or more will be invited to participate in the Wonder Wagon Mobile Nature Center Opening Celebration event.
Donations of $500 or more are listed on the FCPF website.

DONATE ONLINE by credit, debit, or PayPal. Please join these like-minded sponsors by making your tax-deductible gift to support the WONDER of equity outreach and FCPA’s environmental education!

UW, CFC, CVC Campaigns and Monthly Giving

Thanks to all who Show Some Love by giving through the United Way #9400, CFC #38066, or CVC #200308 payroll deduction campaigns! Simply complete your employer's pledge form, and select the code number (listed) for the Fairfax County Park Foundation.

If you don't have a workplace giving campaign, you can make a recurring donation charged to your credit card every month, please complete and return the FCPF Recurring Donation Form. Your donation is still tax-deductible and 100% of your gift received by the Park Foundation will help to benefit parkland, facilities improvements, and educational equity outreach programs for your neighbors in need. Learn more!

Plan ahead with Parktakes

Parktakes online is your quarterly guide to finding outdoor, indoor, and virtual class options spanning a wide range of interest areas including:

Outdoor and indoor fitness classes for Children and Adults;
Learn to swim group lessons and private lessons;
Sports, Scouting, Golf lessons, Gardening;
Virtual Classes and Camps (Fitness, nature, music, drama & coding);
Nature, History, Astronomy programs, and much more!

Donate today to FCPF's Class Scholarship fund to help your neighbors in need enjoy an enriching program! FCPF will send a written confirmation, suitable for tax purposes, to recognize your voluntary gift!

McLean Central Playground Team Nears Goal!

A grassroots group of determined local moms is partnering with FCPA and FCPF to attract $400,000 in fundraising support throughout 2023 to make the renovated playground a reality at the popular and much-loved McLean Central Park. The campaign has attracted nearly $300,000 to date!

A limited number of Playground Tables and Benches are available - each with a customized donor plaque. To date, Jen and Chris Graham; MARS; Hilton Corporation; and The McLean Community Foundation donated at the $20,000+ level.

Native Tree Leaf plaques will be displayed on a special Donor Wall to celebrate those who contribute at least $5,000 to the Playground Campaign including Carol & Richard Danzeisen; Trehan Foundation; Silvija Strikis; Caroline and Judd Littleton; The Dance Academy of Virginia; Island Children's Dentistry & Orthodontics; McLean Family Dentistry; Cara Schantz; Jeff Wainright; and the Moms Club of McLean / McLean Moms Club.

FCPF and MCPT appreciate every gift in any amount! See a full list of Sponsors and Recognition Opportunities.

Make a Gift for the Playground Campaign today!

Helping Kids Learn and Grow!

The Forest Preschool at Riverbend Park is a nature-based early childhood education program. Its bike program teaches the children about safe bike riding practices, is used for fun and exercise, and enables them to explore different parts of the park that would take too long to reach without the bikes.

Thanks to a generous $3,000 grant from Transurban 495/95/395 Express Lanes, the Riverbend Park Forest Preschool was able to purchase bicycles to be used by all participating children.

FCPA's Kids Play Preschool; Spring Hill Rec Center and Riverbend Preschool help children reach their potential through socialization. Learning about art, science, and music through outdoor play helps develop school readiness skills.

See more about the many Early Childhood offerings at FCPA online!

IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions

“Steve and I use his IRA distribution to donate to many charities, and the Park Foundation is special, of course. To me, FCPA’s Summer Entertainment Series, Starlight Cinema puts “One Fairfax” in action – a free outdoor movie for anyone, especially families, to enjoy. What’s not to like about that?!!”, stated Maggie Godbold, pictured with Steve.

Individuals may contribute IRA funds to the Fairfax County Park Foundation during their lifetime without including the mandatory distribution amount to their income, thereby lowering adjusted gross income.

Learn more about how IRA Qualified Distribution gifts can help you and your parks, then consult with your attorney or financial advisor.

Moment of Beauty