NOVA Parks News
NOVA Parks to Conclude 45-Year Operation of Cameron Run Regional Park in 2028
After 45 years of NOVA Parks operating Cameron Run Regional Park and employing more than 1,500 youth, City of Alexandria announced an alternate use for the site at the conclusion of its lease to NOVA Parks.
Fairfax Station, Va. (November 10, 2026) — On Tuesday, November 10, at the Alexandria City Council Legislative Meeting, the City of Alexandria announced an alternate use for the site of Cameron Run Regional Park at the conclusion of its lease to NOVA Parks.
Over the past 45 years, NOVA Parks has leased land from the City of Alexandria and operated Cameron Run Regional Park, located at 4001 Eisenhower Ave. Year-round offerings have included swimming lessons, picnic shelters, and Great Waves Waterpark in the summer; batting cages and mini-golf spring through fall; and a holiday attraction in the winter with evening and daytime ice skating at the only outdoor ice-skating rink in Alexandria.
Over the last decade alone, more than 1,500 youth were employed by NOVA Parks, with many young Alexandrians working their first job at Cameron Run Regional Park. During that time, NOVA Parks participated in Alexandria’s Summer Youth Employment Program and has become the largest employer of youth in the City.
“NOVA Parks has proudly operated Cameron Run for nearly half a century. We were hopeful to invest in the site and continue that partnership for decades to come,” said Executive Director Justin Wilson. “While the City will be pursuing an alternate vision, we commit to working in collaboration as we conclude our stewardship of Cameron Run and look forward to maintaining our partnership in Alexandria at Carlyle House Historic Park and Winkler Botanical Preserve.”
The current lease agreement, which began in 1981, is scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2028. In preparation for the lease-end, the outdoor ice rink will not open in 2026, and the holiday attraction has been renamed Bright Nights—The Winter Village at Cameron Run for its final season, ending January 3, 2027. Great Waves Waterpark, mini-golf, batting cages, picnic shelters and pavilions will remain open to the public through Labor Day 2027.
The partnership with the City of Alexandria began in 1970 when NOVA Parks, then the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, acquired and restored Carlyle House. The 18th-century Georgian mansion was built by, and home to, John Carlyle, a British merchant and a founder of Alexandria. Carlyle House Historic Park offers a house museum that is available for tours and interpretive programs and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. NOVA Parks continues to invest in renovations to preserve Carlyle House’s historic features for generations, with $1.5 million slated in its recently adopted 5-year capital budget.
In 2022, NOVA Parks acquired the 45-acre Winkler Botanical Preserve, located in Alexandria’s West End. The Preserve provides public access to nature in an urban area and a variety of summer camps and environmental education programs. Over the coming years, NOVA Parks will invest $1 million in entrance, parking lot and park enhancements to expand visitor access to Winkler Botanical Preserve.
“As a lifelong Alexandrian, I have a lot of memories at Cameron Run Regional Park — from childhood visits to summer afternoons there in recent years with my daughter,” said NOVA Parks Board Chair and Alexandria appointee Sean Kumar. “For more than 50 years, NOVA Parks has given Alexandria families a place to spend time together, have fun, learn, and make memories that last. We value our partnership with the City and wish them every success in this next chapter. At Carlyle House, Winkler Botanical Preserve, and our 34 other parks across the region, we look forward to serving Northern Virginians for generations to come.”
To learn more about NOVA Parks’ attractions, programs and amenities, visit novaparks.com. To learn more about the City of Alexandria’s use of the site or to submit questions, please visit alexandriava.gov/ALXSportsandEvents.
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About NOVA Parks
Founded in 1959 as a conservation organization, NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia 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. NOVA Parks is governed by a 12-member policy-making Board made up of two representatives appointed by each of the six jurisdictions. The regional agency manages 37 parks with approximately 12,500 acres of parkland, including waterparks, golf courses, campsites, historic sites, event venues, boat launches, annual holiday light shows, and a high adventure ropes course.
