2021 VRPS Distinguished Private Sector Award
The Fairfax County Park Foundation presented Northrop Grumman with a Virginia Recreational & Park Society (VRPS) 2021 award for Distinguished Private Sector Service.
Since 2001, Northrop Grumman has provided significant funding to support environmental education including the Meaningful Watershed Environmental Education (MWEE) at Hidden Oaks Nature Center.
In-person hands-on, educational field trips and short videos engage fourth and seventh grade students in focusing on the importance of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
2021 NACPRO Outstanding Contributor Award
Harry Glasgow, pictured with Bobbi Longworth of FCPF, was honored for his service. While devoting his retirement to protecting the natural world, countless volunteer hours were invested to support park advocacy, scholarship funding, land acquisition, and environmental education. As an active member of the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, he is also known for leading weekly bird-watching groups. In addition, the certified Master Naturalist and Master Gardener has provided generous financial support for parks.
2021 National Association of Government Communicators Award
The National Association of Government Communicators selected the Fairfax County 2020 Park Bond as first place award in the Grassroots Marketing Campaign category. This FCPF-funded ‘shoestring budget’ effort educated voters who approved a $112 Million park bond!
FCPF’s eNewsletter received an NAGC Award of Excellence for engaging directly with Fairfax County residents to share an accurate reflection of the diversity of the Foundation’s fundraising projects, their impact on the community, and ways park lovers can help.
2020 Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award
Elarbi Taouil
'El’, pictured with his daughter, has volunteered with the Cub Run Stream Valley Park Volunteer Team since 2017 using his gift for photography to inspire cleanup event participation. He led educational photography expeditions. FCPF uses his photographs in social media posts and fundraising appeals to attract support.
2020 NACPRO Outstanding Contributor
The Lazar Family
The National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials selected The Lazar Family (Heidi Allen, Tibor Lazar and sons Corvin and Keaton) as recipient of the 2020 NACPRO Award in the Outstanding Contributor category.
Fairfax County Parks are Golden
FCPA received the 2019 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. See FCPA’s full information release. The honor recognizes the highest level of service as highlighted in the 2019 FCPA Gold Medal Video. Thanks to all volunteers and donors who help enrich Fairfax County’s award-winning parks through time, talent and treasure!
2019 VRPS Distinguished Volunteer
Stephen Thormahlen
The Fairfax County Park Foundation’s Director Emeritus, Stephen Thormahlen, was honored by the Virginia Recreation and Park Society with the 2019 Distinguished Service Award.
2018 NCGPC Jim Potter Scholar
Bobbi Longworth, CFRE
The National Capital Gift Planning Council honored the Fairfax County Park Foundation Executive Director, Bobbi Longworth, with the Jim Potter Memorial scholar for advancement in gift planning by developing the FCPF Legacy Circle.
Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award Recipients 2018
Michael Applegate
Michael Applegate’s Special Recognition Award is for volunteer maintenance at Laurel Hill Park. His average 30 hours per week includes moving, trimming, clearing invasive vines, repairing storm drainage, and improving trails. This Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) member built ramp curves and moguls to enhance the mountain biking experience. Michael inspired Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team to host clean-up efforts that make a notable difference.
Anthony Consumano
Maggie Godbold honors Anthony Consumano with an Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award for the success stemming from his grassroots efforts to benefit Cub Run Stream Valley Park. He engaged more than 100 park users that formed an active Park Volunteer Team. The team participated in six park clean-ups and established a mission to preserve, share and connect. He also raised funding for Trail Building and Care through the Park Foundation.
See Michael Applegate, Anthony Consumano and other 2018 Outstanding FCPA Volunteers.
CAPRA 2018
The Commission for Accreditation of Parks and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) accredited Fairfax County Park Authority for meeting all 151 rigorous standards related to the management and administration of lands, facilities, resources, programs, safety and services. This is the third time FCPA received this prestigious accreditation. On December 4, 2018, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors presented a resolution to the Parks for this achievement.
2018 American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
Fairfax County Park Authority’s Resource Management Division, which oversees the Park Authority's Historic Artifact Collections and Archaeological Collections, celebrated AAM recognition. Reaccreditation for Park Foundation supported Sully Historic Site, Colvin Run Mill, and Green Spring Gardens and the first-time accreditation for Frying Pan Farm Park demonstrates our assurance that FCPA will continue to preserve and protect Fairfax County's important heritage.
2016 Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Fairfax County Celebrates Partners Awards 2014
National Recreation and Park Association Awards 2014
Fairfax County Park Authority, with support from the Park Foundation, is honored with two NRPA awards in 2014.
Excellence in Inclusion Award – Best practices in providing scores of recreational and leisure opportunities for people of all abilities.
Kudos Marketing Piece Award – Partnership in Preservation social media online voting campaign that raised $75,000 to renovate Colvin Run Mill.
Elly Doyle Award Recipient 2014 - Recreational Equipment, Inc.
Recreational Equipment, Inc. received Special Recognition award for an ongoing partnership with the Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area program. Beyond the greatly appreciated monetary support to the Park Foundation, REI employees, such as Kyle Wakayma, volunteer to remove invasive species which assists in the habitat restoration of parkland.
Elly Doyle Award Recipient 2013 - Howard Albers
Howard Albers' goal as a volunteer consultant with the Fairfax County Park Foundation was to find new sources of funding for park programs and facilities not supported by taxes or fees. He is a very capable grant writer and has prepared nearly $600,000 in targeted grant requests. His efforts resulted in $200,000 in funding for Chessie's BIG Backyard accessible playground. His work also contributed toward funding for the 88th Amateur Public Links Golf Championship and Take 12! Steps for Health outreach initiative.
Elly Doyle Award Recipient 2012 - Lydia Patrick
Tony Vellucci honors Lydia Patrick with an Elly Doyle Special Recognition Award (right) in honor of pro-bono work by her company Webclearly to improve the Park Foundation website and social media. Ken Quincy, Bill Bouie and Frank Vajda join in to represent the Park Authority Board.
National Recreation and Park Association Awards 2011
While it is uncommon for a park systems to receive multiple NRPA recognitions in a single year, the National Recreation and Park Association presented 5 awards to Fairfax County park initiatives in 2011!
National Voluntary Service Award, Hal Strickland, Park Authority Board Representative, Sully District
National Humanitarian Award – Corporate, Fairfax County Park Foundation
Distinguished Professional Award- Cindy Messinger, FCPA Director’s Office
Dorothy Mullen Arts and Humanitarian Award to the FCPA Summer Entertainment Series
Kudos Marketing Piece Award – FCPA Non-Native Invasive ID and Control Manual
Best of Aquatics Award 2011
Aquatics International honored Fairfax County Park Authority with both Best of Aquatics and Best Overall Commitment to Aquatics. Our Special Harbor at the Family Recreation Center at Lee District Park was featured in the award as a ". . . fully accessible outdoor spraypark . . ."
Community Wildlife Habitat (CWH) Certification
Fairfax County received the National Wildlife Federation's certification and award as a Community Wildlife Habitat. The Greater Mason District Area in the county is the fourth largest CWH in the nation. Hidden Oaks Nature Center at Annandale Community Park, Green Spring Gardens and Mason District Park are all included in the certified area.