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About NVRPA

Why NVRPA? In the late 1950's, the Northern Virginia Planning District Commission and a group of citizens from several local jurisdictions came together to protect Northern Virginia's rich heritage of woods, meadows, lakes and streams from the threat of suburban sprawl. These citizens, working with their local governments--Fairfax County, Arlington County and the City of Falls Church--organized under the Virginia Park Authorities Act in 1959 as the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA). They came together to plan, acquire develop and operate a system of regional parks for all Northern Virginians to enjoy.

Today's Regional Park Authority represents three counties and three cities -- Arlington County, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, the City of Alexandria, the City of Falls Church and the City of Fairfax. Regional Park Authority staff, volunteer board members appointed from each jurisdiction and many friends of the regional parks working together have preserved more than 10,000 acres of the rolling and wooded Virginia countryside for you and created a priceless legacy for future generations.

Through your regional parks, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority provides almost two million citizens with some of the finest recreational facilities in the country. By pooling their funds, these local governments find that each dollar they contribute to NVRPA is multiplied by contributions from other member jurisdictions and sometimes augmented even more by state and federal grants and private donations. Being a member of NVRPA is a good economic investment.

From a wavepool to nature trails, from golfing to boating, there's a Northern Virginia Regional Park that is just right for you. Come for the day, a weekend or a week. The Northern Virginia Regional Parks are yours to enjoy!