No Drone Zones and Other Rules for Those New Toys

PHOTO courtesy of FAA

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FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) staff don’t want to be grinches, but their job is to make sure the parks are safe and fun places for everyone. So, patrons are encouraged to know the rules before bringing unwelcome holiday gifts into the parks.

“Drones are growing in popularity, but not in FCPA parks,” writes park officials. Park regulations and new Federal Aviation Administration directives ban the use of hobby rockets, remote-control gliders or powered remote-control or tethered planes, boats, cars or other similar devices.

More tips:

• Projectiles are prohibited. Try out the new golf clubs only at a county golf course. Unless you’re in a special archery program, leave bows and arrows at home. That goes for Tasers, spears, slingshots, dart devices, and other high-speed missile projectiles, too.
• Knives with a blade more than four inches in length are prohibited, unless you’re using them to prepare food. And fireworks and metal detectors can only be used with the FCPA’s express written permission.
• Got a new puppy? Keep your furry friend on a leash, and no visiting a dog park until they are at least four months old and not in heat. New pony? Stay in designated equestrian/riding areas. Feel free to try out the new fishing rod, but you must comply with Virginia State game laws and park rules.
• Take your new skates for a spin at the Mount Vernon ice rink, but don’t tempt fate by skating on any body of water in a park unless it has been specifically designated for skating by the Park Authority. Keep other skates, bicycles and skis on established trails, walkways and roadways. No off-trail use. Similarly, do not sled or tube or ski on our golf courses once the snow arrives.
• Keep the ear buds in your ears. If you want to play something loud enough for everyone around you to hear, you need written permission from the Park Authority.
• If you want to spend the night in your new tent, plan to stay in a designated area, register and pay the appropriate fees.

A complete list of park regulations can be found at: Park Authority Regulations.