Fairfax City Parks Foundationin progress
Status set at the City Council Meeting on Sep 30, 2025
The Fairfax City Parks Foundation is a nonprofit foundation being established to support parks in Fairfax City.
It was first discussed at a City Council work session on October 8, 2024, with no formal action taken at that time. Per its bylaws, the City Council is responsible for appointing the foundation's first five inaugural directors, after which the organization becomes independent and may appoint up to five additional directors (for a maximum board of ten). The Council approved directors James Hickman and Nicholas Prosini unanimously on September 9, 2025, and director Emilio Alonso unanimously (6-0) on September 30, 2025, bringing the inaugural board to three of five required directors.
As of September 30, 2025, staff indicated a fifth and final director nominee was being brought forward for Council consideration, suggesting the board was near completion. On September 10, 2026, a joint meeting between PRAB and the Fairfax City Parks Foundation was scheduled, including introductions and foundation updates, though no outcome was recorded.
Still open
- The fourth and fifth inaugural director appointments: the September 9, 2025 transcript indicates two more candidates were pending a PRAB interview, and the September 30, 2025 transcript references a 'fifth and final Foundation Director' being brought for Council nomination — the outcomes of these appointments are not confirmed in the dated record.
- No outcome was recorded for the September 10, 2026 joint PRAB and Fairfax City Parks Foundation meeting; the substance of the introductions and foundation updates is unknown.
- Once the inaugural board of five is seated, it remains to be seen when and how the foundation will begin independent operations and pursue its parks-support mission.
What members have said
At the September 9, 2025 meeting, Council Member Peterson asked about the term length of the director appointments, confirming they are three-year terms. Peterson also seconded the motion to appoint Emilio Alonso on September 30, 2025.
On September 30, 2025, Council Member Hall moved to endorse the appointment of Emilio Alonso as a director of the Fairfax City Parks Foundation for a three-year term as outlined in the attached bylaws.
Positions as recorded in meeting minutes; votes without recorded comment aren’t summarized.
Discussion time
councilcommissionMinutes of named discussion per transcribed meeting, Oct 8, 2024 onward.
History
Filled dots are actions on this topic; open dots are mentions.
- Oct 8, 2024City Council · item 12dDiscussion on the development of a Fairfax City Parks Foundation
The development of a Fairfax City Parks Foundation was discussed during the work session; no formal action was taken.
- Consideration of appointments of two Fairfax City Parks Foundation, Inc. initial directors
Council confirmed the appointment of two new inaugural Directors (James Hickman and Nicholas Prosini), bringing the foundation closer to its full inaugural board of five directors.
passedEndorse the appointment of James Hickman and Nicholas Prosini as Directors for the Fairfax City Parks Foundation for a three-year term.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson - Appointment of Fairfax City Parks Foundation, Inc. Initial Director
The Fairfax City Parks Foundation received its third confirmed inaugural director (Emilio Alonso), with two of five initial director seats remaining to be filled.
passedEndorse the appointment of Emilio Alonso as a Director for the Fairfax City Parks Foundation for a three-year term.✓ Amos✓ Bates✓ Hall✓ Hardy-Chandler✓ McQuillen✓ Peterson - Sep 10, 2026Parks and Recreation Advisory Board · item 3Joint Fairfax City Parks Foundation Meeting
A joint meeting with the Fairfax City Parks Foundation was scheduled, including introductions and foundation updates.
Discussed alongside
Topics that come up in the same meetings.