Fairfax City Parks Foundation

Summary

The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a newly established nonprofit organization created to support city parks. The concept was first discussed at a City Council work session on October 8, 2024, with no formal action taken at that time. Per the Foundation's bylaws, the City Council is responsible for approving the first five inaugural directors, after which the organization becomes independent and may appoint up to five additional directors (for a maximum board of ten). On September 9, 2025, the Council unanimously approved the appointment of James Hickman and Nicholas Prosini as the Foundation's first two directors (later clarified as directors three and four in transcript context, though the dated record treats them as inaugural appointees) for three-year terms. On September 30, 2025, the Council unanimously approved Emilio Alonso as a third confirmed director, also for a three-year term, with two of the five initial director seats still remaining to be filled at that time. By the September 30 meeting, staff indicated a fifth and final Foundation director candidate was being brought forward for Council nomination, suggesting the board is on the verge of completing its inaugural five-member composition.

Open questions & options on the table

• Confirmation and formal approval of the fifth and final inaugural director (whose nomination was introduced at the September 30, 2025 meeting but whose appointment outcome is not recorded in the dated record).
• Whether a fourth director has been separately appointed between or alongside the recorded actions, given transcript references to director numbering.
• Next steps for the Foundation becoming operational and independent once the full inaugural board of five is seated.

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.