Local Parks

Royal Lake Park (5344 Gainsborough Dr.) is a 46-acre park not far from the intersection of Guinea Road and Burke Road in Fairfax. The park has a J-shaped, 38-acre lake. There are street entries and parking lots at each end of the “J.” The park also is accessible from area hiking trails.  The maintenance access road leading to the lake is not available for boat launching. Concerts are held next to the lake in the summer. The developed area at Royal Lake Park off Eastlake Drive on the short, northwest wing of the lake’s J-shape includes a parking lot, a playground, a basketball court and tennis courts. The Park Authority occasionally conducts nature programs at Royal Lake, including campfire programs. The park has a Friends support group – The Friends of Royal Lake.

Lakeside Park (5216 Pommeroy Dr.) is near the top of the J at the Pommeroy Drive entrance to Royal Lake, where there are picnic tables, a playground, a basketball court, a multi-purpose athletic field, trashcans and parking. A one and three-quarter mile loop trail around the lake begins from the parking lot. You can stretch that to almost two miles by taking optional side trails, such as hiking along the top of the nearly quarter-mile dam instead of along its base. Bikes are prohibited on the natural-surface trail, which has steep grades in spots, steps, quite a few tree roots, and even a tree or two in the middle of the path. There are a few benches along the trail for a quick rest.

The Lake has a small, natural area where wildlife watchers may see turtles, signs of beaver, squirrels, ducks, geese and other waterfowl.

The 38-acre lake was dredged in 2016. A fish save was conducted at the lake in October 2015 prior to the dredging. Staff relocated juvenile bass and crappie to Brookfield Pond along with a large number of bluegill and redear sunfish. Lakes Barton and Braddock received all the large game fish along with a considerable number of juveniles and various forage species.

Crooked Creek Park is a 12.2 acre park with and open play area and historic significance. 9910 Commonwealth Boulevard in Fairfax.

Rabbit Branch Park is an 8.9 acre park on Tapestry Rd. in Fairfax.