Community Corner

First Hike Fairfax Planned At Burke Lake Park, Other Parks On New Year's Day

Residents are encouraged to visit trails on Jan. 1 and 2 and enter the First Hike Photo Contest for prizes.

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Emily Leayman, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
First Hike Fairfax encourages residents to enjoy an outdoor hike on Jan. 1-2 and will include a photo contest.
First Hike Fairfax encourages residents to enjoy an outdoor hike on Jan. 1-2 and will include a photo contest. (Emily Leayman/Patch)

FAIRFAX STATION, VA — Ringing in the new year for some can be a chance to start fresh and make a new year's resolution. For those with health-minded resolutions, it doesn't hurt to start the year with a hike. First Hike Fairfax will return on Jan. 1 and 2.

The Fairfax County Park Authority will join America’s State Parks and Virginia State Parksto encourage residents to start the year with an outdoor hike. First Hike Fairfax is being held over two days to encourage social distancing on trails.

The event includes the First Hike Photo Contest with various prizes. To participate, visit any Fairfax County Park Authority trail. Take a photo and submit it to the park authority by Jan. 2 for a chance to win prizes. Images must be in JPG, JPEG or PNG format. Participants may be asked to verify if the photo was taken at a Fairfax County park.

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Prizes will include:

  • People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
  • Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
  • Directors Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (People): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Wildlife): $50 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Pets): $50 Park Authority Gift Card

Check out the winners from 2021 here.

Find out what's happening in Burkefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Don't know where to go for a hike? The park authority recommends five locations for family-friendly starter hikes. One of these is Burke Lake Park, which offers a popular 4.68-mile loop trail around the lake. The park is open sunrise to sunset at 7315 Ox Road, Fairfax Station, VA.

Other recommended options are Cub Run Stream Valley Trail (4630 Stonecroft Boulevard, Chantilly, VA), Huntley Meadows (3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA), Riverbend Park (8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA), and Lake Accotink CCT (7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA).

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