In cases of severe weather, the Fairfax County Park Authority follows the operational status of the Fairfax County Government with regard to park facility closures. Unless the county closes all county facilities, Rec Centers and other park facilities will remain open for general use and for classes. In some unique cases, the Park Authority may make a separate announcement based on individual site conditions.
If Park Authority facilities are open, scheduled rentals such as swim team practices, meets, weddings and birthday parties will continue as planned unless canceled by the customer or the Park Authority.
The information below applies only to the three (3) instances where programs are NOT held at Park Authority facilities:
ONLY FOR PROGRAMS HELD AT FAIRFAX COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
If Fairfax County Government isOPEN, but Fairfax County Public Schools:
| Schools Announcement | Park Authority Programs in Schools Only |
|---|---|
| Closed all day: (FCPS Conditions 1, 2 or 5) | Park programs held at schools are canceled. |
| Open two hours late: (FCPS Conditions 3a and 3b) | Park programs held at schools starting at 4 p.m. or later will begin on time. |
| Close two hours early: (FCPS Condition 4) | Park programs held at schools are canceled from 4 p.m. on, including evening activities. |
| Do not dismiss early, but cancel all afternoon and evening programs: (FCPS Condition 6) | Park programs held at schools are canceled from 4 p.m. on, including evening activities. |
| Close their buildings and grounds to community use in the evening - activities must be completed by 6:15 p.m. or are canceled (FCPS Condition 7) | Park programs held at schools that begin at 6:15 p.m. or later are canceled for the remainder of the evening. All classes at schools must conclude by 6:15 p.m. |
| Cancel Saturday and/or Sunday weekend activities: (FCPS Condition 8) | Park programs held at schools are canceled for Saturday and/or Sunday. |
| On student holidays, Schools and offices are closed all day (FCPS Condition 9A) | Park Authority programs held at schools are canceled. |
| On student holidays, Schools are closed but school offices open late (FCPS Condition 9B) | Park programs held at schools will begin from the announced time on, including evening activities. |
| On student holidays, Schools are closed but school offices close early (FCPS Condition 9C) | Park programs held at schools are canceled from the announced time on, including evening activities. |
No announcement generally means a normal operating schedule; however, Park Authority facilities such as REC Centers open earlier than most government buildings and operate on weekends and most holidays. If the County does not make an announcement about all County facilities, the Park Authority will announce any changes to facility and program schedules on thePark Alerts website and post notifications on X,Facebook andInstagram. Other countywide emergency information can be found onFairfax County's Emergency Blog.
Yes, we plan to have all services available when our facilities are open. Although a facility is open, parts of the facility such as the pool require full staffing (lifeguards) to operate. Class instructors may not be able to make it in to teach a specific class but will notify students in advance. It is a good idea to call ahead to the facility before leaving home.
Weather conditions and electrical power outages may differ around the County which may impact the opening times of some facilities. Rec Centers usually will be first to be plowed because they open the earliest. Check the Park Authority website for the most current information.
Park Authority facilities normally open at different times. For example, Nature Centers normally do not open until 11 a.m. on weekdays during the winter. During weather events, Rec Centers generally will open first, followed by other staffed facilities as the roads, parking lots and sidewalks can be cleared of snow and ice.
When Rec Centers are open, practices may go on as scheduled, but USA Swim and Dive and other private teams make their own decision as whether to hold practices. Contact your team for information. Fairfax County High School swim and dive team practices are canceled if Fairfax County Public Schools are closed.
Yes, as long as the pool is open and lap lanes are normally scheduled to be available. During extreme weather events, the pool opening may be delayed until lifeguards can arrive.
When Rec Centers and other park facilities are open, special events may go on as scheduled unless notified otherwise. Contact the event organizer for details.
When the Fairfax County Government is open on time, classes at RECenters and other park facilities will go on as scheduled, even if the Fairfax County Public Schools are closed. If the Fairfax County Government opens late, classes at RECenters and other park facilities that begin before 11 a.m. are canceled and classes beginning at 11 a.m. or later will go on as scheduled. If the County Government closes early, classes are canceled from the announced time on, including evening activities.
Park Authority classes scheduled at public schools follow the Fairfax County Public School closing schedule. If there is time to make up the class we will always try to reschedule a class to give you all of the instructional days. However, if the class cannot be made up, you will receive a credit on your Parknet account at the end of the session for the missed class.
If you are unable to attend class, please contact your instructor or the facility to let them know. They will decide if a make-up class will be held or you can request a credit to your Parknet account for the missed class.
Safety is always the first priority for our customers and our staff. If you are unable to attend class, please contact your instructor or the facility to let them know. They will decide if a make-up class will be held or you can request a credit to your Parknet account for the missed class.
In the unusual case that an instructor cannot make it in to teach the class, there are several options. For drop-in fitness classes, our Fitness Directors will try to provide a substitute instructor or alternate class at the same time. For all other registration classes, we will schedule a make-up class in the future or place a credit on your Parknet account for the missed class. If your class is at a RECenter, you are welcome to stay and use the facility for the day for your inconvenience.
If there is time to make up the class we will always try to reschedule a class to give you all of the instructional days. However, if the class cannot be made up, you will receive a credit on your Parknet account at the end of the session for the missed class.
If you are taking a drop-in group fitness class or are using your Aqua Exercise Flex Pass, you may drop-in to any other class when space is available.
Yes, when our RECenters are open classes plan to go on as scheduled. However, because drop-in fitness classes do not have a set roster of participants, our staff cannot contact you in advance about any changes to the schedule or instructors. You can call the RECenter directly to ask about a specific class.
For FCPA classes held at private business locations (such as a dance studio or martial arts facility) please call the business directly for their schedule. For FCPA classes held at Fairfax County Public Schools, we will follow FCPS closures.For FCPA classes held at Sully Community Center, we will follow closures announced by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services on their website (registered participants and reservation-holders for Sunday rentals and activities will be notified directly if the facility is closed on Sundays).
Remember that weather conditions may differ around the County which may impact the opening times of some facilities. RECenters usually will be first to be plowed because they open the earliest. Check the Park Authority website for the most current information.
When our facilities are open, private instruction and personal training will continue, but contact your instructor/trainer to coordinate your schedules.
Yes. Camps held at Park Authority facilities will operate when the Fairfax County Government is open. FCPA camps held in public school facilities are canceled when schools are closed. For camps held at private business locations, call the location directly.
Yes. When Rec Centers and other park facilities are open, extended care will go on as scheduled. However, if the Fairfax County Government opens late, extended care may be affected. If whether conditions deteriorate, families may be contacted and encouraged to pick children up early.
If Fairfax County Government is closed all day, preschool programs at the Franconia and Spring Hill Rec Centers are canceled. If Fairfax County government opens late, morning preschool programs start at 11 a.m. and end at 1 p.m. and afternoon preschool will be from 1:30 - 3:30 unless announced otherwise. If Fairfax County Government closes early, afternoon preschool is canceled from the announced time on. Morning preschool is not affected.
Public parks are open during daytime hours. Outdoor parks are not closed during inclement weather, but you should take care when visiting during bad weather.
Athletic field status can be found on the Park AuthorityAthletic Fields. The Field Status page is updated by 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. This posting reflects the status of Park Authority athletic fields only and the status of athletic fields on weekdays only and will not be updated on the weekend.
Call the Fairfax County Park Authority Park Operations Division at 703-324-8594. You may also send information to the Park Authority via email atParkmail@fairfaxcounty.gov.
Weather cancellations or changes are posted on the Trips and Tours Hotline, 703-324-TOUR(8687).