Playgrounds, More Features To Reopen For Fairfax County's Phase 2

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — The Fairfax County Park Authority announced more features will reopen Friday as phase two begins in the region. According to the park authority, state guidelines will allow features like playgrounds, dog parks and sports courts to reopen. The changes have started but will occur over weeks, as staff handles 427 parks.

Playgrounds will be open at all county parks, including Clemyjontri Park and Chessie’s Big Backyard, two parks for children of all abilities. Park staff will not be conducting special cleaning, so visitors should use at their own risk and follow social distancing guidelines.

Here are the other changes:

• Athletic fields: Open for organized and permitted use based on the governor’s and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for use of athletic fields
• Basketball courts: Outdoor courts will open, but users must stay 10 feet apart.
• Volleyball courts: Outdoor courts will open, but users must stay 10 feet apart.
• Dog parks: Open with social distancing encouraged.
• Marinas: Open for rentals at lakefront and riverfront parks.
• Mini-golf: Miniature golf courses will open at all locations, except Jefferson District Park due to construction.
• Restrooms: Permanent outdoor restrooms and portable restrooms will open systemwide. Visitors should bring hand sanitizer since these facilities are often without running water.
• Picnic shelters: Shelters within parks will open for permitted use with 50 percent capacity of regular occupancy limits, not to exceed 50 people.

Fairfax County Public Schools will also open athletic fields, basketball courts and playgrounds.

Park authority features have reopened gradually amid the pandemic. Parking lots at all county parks were opened to visitors ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Golf courses reopened in May, while park authority-run farmers markets have reopened in May or will open in June.

RECenters, nature centers, indoor pools and historic sites remain closed. The Our Special Harbor Spray Park at Lee District Recreation Area, Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole at Lake Fairfax Park in Reston and Martin Luther King Jr. Pool in Hybla Valley won't open for the summer season.

For all updates and park information during the pandemic, visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/coronavirus.