The Fairfax County Park Authority is a department of the Fairfax County, Virginia county government responsible for developing and maintaining the various parks, historical sites, and recreational areas owned or administered by Fairfax County. Figures published as of 2003 indicate the Park Authority manages over 22,617 acres (92 km²) of parkland.
History
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the Park Authority in 1950 under a provision of the Code of Virginia , with the published goal of providing 15 acres (60,000 m²) of parkland for every 1000 county residents. As of 2003, the Park Authority had at least 22,617 acres (92 km²) of parkland under Park Authority oversight for a resulting 23 acres (93,000 m²) of parkland per 1000 county residents.
Operations
In addition to numerous small and medium-sized parks below five acres located throughout Fairfax County, the Park Authority also manages eight recreation centers and seven golf courses, as well as over 200 acres of trails.
Fairfax County has adopted a program to link the various trails currently under county supervision, and to acquire new land for trails to eventually link the entire county through trails suitable for pedestrian use.
Governance
In terms of political structure and oversight, the Fairfax County Park Authority reports an independent board including twelve members appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board, although appointment of the Director of the Park Authority is subject to approval by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (the highest governing body of Fairfax County).
The twelve members of the Board comprise nine members respectively representing the nine magisterial districts of Fairfax County, as well as three at-large members.
Public meetings of the Board are held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at 7:30 in the Herrity Building of the Fairfax County Government Center .
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