Fairfax County Park Authority
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|
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1950 |
| Type | Authority |
| Jurisdiction | Fairfax County |
| Headquarters | Fairfax County Government Center |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | fairfaxcounty |
The Fairfax County Park Authority is a department of the Fairfax County, Virginia county government responsible for developing and maintaining the various parks, historical sites, and recreational areas owned or administered by Fairfax County. Figures published as of 2003 indicate the Park Authority manages over 22,617 acres (92 km²) of parkland.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors established the Park Authority in 1950 under a provision of the Code of Virginia, with the published goal of providing 15 acres (60,000 m²) of parkland for every 1000 county residents. John W. Brookfield was named to the board of the new authority and elected its first chairman.
In 1953, the county made its first purchase of parkland, 15 acres in Great Falls, for $37,717 from the receivers of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad. In March 1953, the authority appointed William H. Lindberg as superintendent of parks.
By 1955, the authority had nine public parks, and its budget was $60,000 per year.
In January 1959, Fred M. Packard became the first director of the Fairfax County Park Authority. As director, Packard would work vigorously over the next few years to acquire park land and preserve natural areas in the rapidly developing county.
Under a new county program of acquiring small parks in urban areas, FCPA bought its first neighborhood park, the 9.5-acre Bren Mar Park, in April 1959.
The authority gained control over the disused Fort Belvoir reservoir in March 1960 when it was awarded a 25-year lease to operate the 242-acre site as a public park and recreation facility. The lake was renamed Lake Accotink.
Appointed in November 1961, Joseph Brown became the second director of the Fairfax County Park authority in January 1962.
Lake Accotink was sold by the Army outright to the Fairfax County Park Authority in April 1965 for $176,500 following the property being declared surplus the previous year.
In April 1965, Director Brown was appointed to head the National Park Service's north National Capital area, and assistant director James D. Bell was named to replace him.
The authority purchased Lake Fairfax from its owner, developer Mack Slye "Jack" Crippen Jr., for $1.7 million in 1966.
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Wikipedia