Fairfax County to reopen parks this weekend

Fairfax County, Virginia, will begin to reopen its parks in time for Memorial Day weekend, officials announced Tuesday.

On-site facilities and restrooms will be closed, and guests will be asked to maintain social distancing practices and avoid congregating in groups of more than 10 people, the county said in a news release.

“We greatly appreciate the patience and cooperation shown by County residents during this closure,” said Park Authority Executive Director Kirk Kincannon in a statement.

“We understand this has been a challenge to many who enjoy the park system on a regular basis. And it will be important that everyone follows the safety and physical distancing guidelines recommended by health authorities.”

The following facilities will be closed:

  • Restrooms and all portable restrooms
  • Dog parks
  • All playgrounds
  • Nature centers, visitor centers, horticultural centers, and RECenters
  • Volleyball and basketball courts
  • Athletic fields
  • Water fountains will be turned off

The county will begin removing barricades from the parks and opening parking lots Wednesday and expects to finish by Friday.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Virginia’s parks were open for use during the day with facilities closed.

WTOP’s Hillary Howard contributed to this report.


More coronavirus coverage

Looking for more information? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing more data every day. Visit their official sites here: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.


Scott Gelman

Scott Gelman is a digital editor and writer for WTOP. A South Florida native, Scott graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019. During his time in College Park, he worked for The Diamondback, the school’s student newspaper.

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