Parks Foundation
The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a nonprofit entity created to raise private funds and accept donations (including bequests) to support parks projects in the City of Fairfax. 4 separate matters touch this plan or program; each has its own status.
Thaiss Park
Thaiss Park is a City park undergoing a full redevelopment project contracted to Bright Masonry, Inc. for $7,725,650, approved by City Council on October 8, 2024. Construction began in December 2024 following utility relocation work and full park closure; the cross-county trail was kept open but made inaccessible from the park during construction.
- City Council Orientation
The Parks Foundation has officially been started, as announced during the Council Orientation. The Parks Foundation held its first official meeting on March 14, 2025; the website URL ffxfoundation.org has been purchased.
- Joint School Board Meeting
The Parks Foundation has officially received 501(c)3 status and is developing a naming rights policy to help fund larger-scale projects such as KJ/Kutner Fields.
- Jun 11, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 6bOld Business – Naming Rights Policy
The Parks Foundation website is live, directors have emails, and donation management software has been purchased. Approximately $470,000 in the Legacy account will be transferred to the Foundation on July 1st; all funds are currently earmarked. Foundation update was covered under Old Business item 6b; website is live and $470,000 transfer from the Legacy account is planned for July 1st.
WSHCC
The West Side Human Community Center (WSHCC) is a city parks capital project that progressed through budgetary planning, land use approval, and City Council authorization over approximately one year. Through mid-2025, staff was preparing low, medium, and high cost-recovery scenarios for the facility, with community preference noted for open gym time over heavy rental use.
- Joint School Board Meeting
The Parks Foundation has officially received 501(c)3 status and is developing a naming rights policy to help fund larger-scale projects such as KJ/Kutner Fields.
Van Dyck Redevelopment
The Van Dyck Redevelopment is a funded parks project in the City's capital pipeline that has been in a holding pattern tied to sequencing with other major construction efforts. Through late 2024, the project was placed on hold pending the start of Thaiss Park construction, with no substantive engineering activity.
- City Council Orientation
The Parks Foundation has officially been started, as announced during the Council Orientation. The Parks Foundation held its first official meeting on March 14, 2025; the website URL ffxfoundation.org has been purchased.
Pat Rodio Park
Pat Rodio Park is a municipal park that has been undergoing a playground relocation and broader redevelopment effort. As of October 2024, staff began seeking a new playground location; by November 2024 a site had been identified, with tree planting and public outreach planned.
- City Council Orientation
The Parks Foundation has officially been started, as announced during the Council Orientation. The Parks Foundation held its first official meeting on March 14, 2025; the website URL ffxfoundation.org has been purchased.
- Oct 10, 2024Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5bParks Foundation – Update
City Council asked PRAB to revise the Parks Foundation bylaws; PRAB agreed on a 60% residency requirement for the board and revised the director appointment process so PRAB nominates and City Council approves. Gifts with contingencies were also identified as an area to address.
- Parks Foundation – Update
PRAB agreed to nominate the initial board for the Parks Foundation; the matter goes back to City Council on December 10th for final approval.
- Parks Foundation – Update
The Parks Foundation was approved by Council; next steps include requesting $50,000 in supplemental funding and obtaining 501(c)3 status with at least three members.
- Presentations/Introductions – Foundation Interviews
PRAB voted unanimously to nominate Emilio Alonso to the board of directors and recommend Selamawit Washington to the newly independent board, following discussion about bylaw limits on City Council appointments.
passedMotion to nominate Emilio Alonso to the Parks Foundation board of directors and recommend Selamawit Washington to the newly independent board of directors.✓ Rice✓ Stewart✓ Paceley✓ Ross✓ Curtin✓ Kuiler✓ Knowles✓ Hickman✓ Gibson✓ Russell· O'Brien - Parks Foundation
The first meeting was held in December and went well; a second meeting is scheduled to complete remaining votes on organizational/structuring items before the foundation becomes official.
- Old Business – Parks Foundation
Work continues on the 501(c)(3) application (Form 1023) and on transferring earmarked funds from the Legacy for Fairfax account; Sherwood maintenance funds are being considered to offset HVAC replacement costs.
- FPYC Presentation – Mike Anderson
FPYC noted anticipated opportunities for long-term sustainability and collaboration with the newly established Parks Foundation. The Parks Foundation is working to complete its 1023 form, open a bank account, transfer the Legacy for Fairfax account, and select donation software (Bloomerang); next meeting is March 16th.
- Parks Foundation
The 1023 paperwork has been submitted, enabling the Foundation to accept donations and open a bank account; a solicitation license from Virginia is being pursued; website development is underway; funds transfer from the City is expected in July. A naming rights policy is being drafted for PRAB review in May and subsequent City Council adoption.
- Jul 9, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 5Old Business
The Bloomerang software has been purchased and the naming rights policy has been updated to include PRAB's edits.
- Sep 10, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 7Old Business
The Parks Foundation was listed as an old business item; no outcome recorded.
- Parks Foundation Update
A Parks Foundation update was listed as old business and scheduled for discussion at this meeting.
In full
Its formation involved an extended bylaw revision process: in October 2024, PRAB agreed to a 60% board residency requirement and revised the director appointment process so that PRAB nominates directors and City Council approves. By November 2024, PRAB had agreed to nominate the initial board, and City Council formally approved the Foundation in December 2024. The Foundation held its first official meeting on March 14, 2025, and the domain ffxfoundation.org was purchased.
In September 2025, PRAB unanimously voted to nominate Emilio Alonso to the board and recommend Selamawit Washington to the newly independent board; City Council subsequently voted unanimously to endorse Alonso's appointment as a director for a three-year term. Organizationally, the Foundation submitted its Form 1023 for 501(c)(3) status (approved by May 2026), opened a bank account, purchased Bloomerang donation management software, launched its website, set up director email addresses, and is preparing to receive approximately $470,000 in transferred Legacy for Fairfax account funds on July 1, 2026. A naming rights policy, incorporating PRAB's edits, has been updated and is moving toward City Council adoption.
As of late 2026, the Foundation is an active body focused on leveraging private dollars for larger park projects, with Van Dyck Park identified as a flagship priority.