Fairfax City Parks Foundation

Summary

The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a nonprofit entity being established by the City of Fairfax to support parks and recreation. It was first discussed at a City Council work session on October 8, 2024, with no formal action taken at that time. Per its bylaws, the City Council is responsible for approving the Foundation's first five inaugural directors, after which the organization becomes independent and may appoint up to five additional directors (for a maximum board of ten; minimum of five). The Council approved the first two directors — James Hickman and Nicholas Prosini — on September 9, 2025, with a third director, Emilio Alonso, approved on September 30, 2025. As of September 30, 2025, the Foundation has three of its five inaugural directors confirmed, with two seats remaining to be filled. Director candidates are interviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB) before being brought to Council for endorsement.

Open questions & options on the table

• Two of the five inaugural director seats remain to be filled; the fifth and final director was presented to Council on September 30, 2025, but the vote outcome on that appointment is not fully captured in the record.
• Once all five inaugural directors are confirmed, it is unclear when or how the Foundation will begin independent operations and potentially appoint additional directors (up to five more).

What members have said

Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.

Discussion time

Minutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting.